Say, does anyone have any data showing potential benefits of using some of the "beyond placebo" settings?
For example
- --subme 6 or 7 instead of 5
- --me sea instead of star
- --bframes 16 instead of 8
- --ref 6+ instead of 5
- --tskip
- --cu-lossless
I've fond some value in very low bitrates or unusual content from all but the higher subme and me, which I've not tried.
--me sea in particular cuts speed enormously.
Tskip and cu-lossless can help with anime, small text, screen captures, and other stuff with sharp detailed edges.