Transcoding preset panel
The transcoding preset panel is one of the core features of Silverstack Lab and can be opened by clicking the presets button in the toolbar. It allows you to create advanced transcoding presets which can then be applied to clips via the workflow configuration window.
Learn more about supported audio and video formats here.
Transcoding preset options#
By default, the user interface is split into two areas: on the left, a preview of the currently selected clip reflects your current transcoding configuration. This is also indicated by the Exit Preview button above the preview window. The preset panel on the right is divided into two sections: presets and their associated settings. You can choose to create presets for videos or stills by clicking the dedicated tab. Silverstack ships with a set of pre-configured presets for the most common use cases, which can be used as-is or as a starting point for custom ones.
1. Presets#
+ Button
Creates a new preset. By default, the basic settings are H.264, 1920x1080p, Stereo Mixdown.
– Button
Deletes the selected preset.
… Button
Allows you to duplicate, lock or sort the presets.
Right-Click
Allows you to add, duplicate, rename, delete, lock or sort presets.
2. Settings#
Your current settings for a preset are also indicated by little icons in the top right corner of each preset. This applies for Audio, Grading, Framelines, Burn In, Overlay settings.
2.1 Video Codec#
Codec
Defines the output video codec. DNx and Apple ProRes4444 codecs as well as option “Original (as Source)” are only available in Silverstack Lab.
Container
Defines the container for the file. The following options are available:
- Quicktime (.mov): Available for all codecs
- MXF OP-Atom (.mxf): Available for DNx codecs
- MP4 (.MP4): Available for H.264 and HEVC codecs
H.264 / HEVC Profile
Sets the profile that is used for encoding. The default is “Auto” and will define the profile automatically based on the current configuration. The option is only available for H264 and HEVC.
H.264 / HEVC Bitrate
Determines if an automatic or manual bitrate is used. The manual bitrate option allows you to enter a custom bitrate or get help by clicking the f(x)
button to open the H.264 Bitrate Calculator. You may define the quality on a range between “Poor” and “Best” and the calculator recommends a bitrate based on the selected resolution and the intended frame rate. The option is only available for H264 and HEVC.
Key Frames
Defines the amount of frames before a new key frame is set (interval). The option is only available for H264 and HEVC.
File Header
Adjusts the file’s header for streaming purposes. The option is only available for H264 and HEVC.
Create AAF checkbox
Creates an AAF file for each clip after transcoding. The option is only available for DNx codecs.
2.2 Output Resolution#
Controls whether transcoded clips are output at a fixed resolution or scaled dynamically to match the source.
Resolution dropdown menu
The menu is divided into fixed and dynamic output resolutions.
Fixed Resolutions
Guarantee a consistent output resolution regardless of the source clip’s aspect ratio. Empty areas are filled with black. Standard resolutions are available; the Custom option allows specifying any width and height values (up to ~16k).
Dynamic Resolutions
Adapt to the source clip and may produce different output dimensions across clips with inconsistent resolutions. Original Resolution and 50% Resolution output the clip without scaling or at 50% scale respectively — applied after all processing (anamorphic desqueeze, cropping, and rotation). The Constraints option allows specifying maximum or minimum values for width, height, or both; the source clip is scaled to meet the constraint, and any empty areas are cropped.
The Output Resolution Examples section previews the effect of the current settings across different source resolutions.
2.3 Fitting#
This section is only available for fixed output resolutions.
Auto Rotate / Rotate Source to match output checkbox
May rotate the clip to best fit the specified output resolution, for instance, if the source clip has a vertical resolution, but the output resolution is defining a horizontal resolution (or vice versa).In such scenarios the transcoded clip will be tagged with rotation information, advising the playback application to compensate the rotation.
Zoom dropdown menu
Defines the resizing strategy.
- Zoom to Fit: The clip is proportionally scaled so that it fits into the defined output resolution without overlapping. If the scaled clip does not fully cover the output resolution, empty areas are filled with black.
- Zoom to Fill: The clip is proportionally scaled so that it fully covers the defined output resolution. Overlapping areas of the clip are cropped.
- 1 to 1: The clip is not scaled. Overlapping areas are cropped, empty areas filled with black.
2.4 Audio#
Audio checkbox
Enables audio for transcoding.
Codec
Defines the output audio codec. You can choose between Linear PCM and AAC. DNx codecs always use Linear PCM.
Channel layout
Defines the audio channel layout. The options are:
- All Tracks: Transcodes all audio tracks (internal and external). *
- All Tracks (Skip Muted): Transcodes all audio tracks except the muted ones. *
- Stereo Mixdown: Applies a stereo mixdown of all tracks (without considering the muted ones).
- Only available when using “Linear PCM” codec (available in Silverstack Lab).
2.5 Color Tagging#
Note:
Color tagging is only available for H.264, HEVC and Apple ProRes codecs. Customizing the settings is only possible in Silverstack Lab.
Preset dropdown menu
Automatically sets the configuration needed for Rec. 709 or Rec. 2100 (PQ).
Color Primaries dropdown menu
Defines the color primaries needed for a specific color gamut.
Transfer Curve dropdown menu
Defines the transfer curve (gamma curve).
YCbCr Matrix dropdown menu
Defines the matrix used for luminance and color separation.
2.6 Source Decoding#
Decoding dropdown menu
Sets the decoding resolution for transcoding. Many source formats support lower-quality decoding modes to speed up processing (e.g. ⅛ resolution), or extra high-quality modes for maximum image quality.Auto Select (default) — automatically chooses the decoding resolution for each task based on the source and target resolution (e.g. 8K source, 2K target → ¼ res. decoding, if supported). If the preferred mode is unavailable for a given format, the next best available mode is used (e.g. Sony X-OCN does not support ⅛ res. decoding → automatically falls back to ¼ res.).Manual — allows specifying a preferred decoding resolution directly.The actual decoding parameters used for each task can be reviewed in the Task Details section of the job view.
Color depth
As described above, some non-RAW formats implicitly decrease color bit depth when using lower decoding resolutions. To prevent this behavior, this option automatically forces full resolution decoding in those situations.
2.7 Grading, Processing, Duration#
Export Range / Limit to In/Out Points checkbox
Limits the transcoded clip to the in and out points set in the library.
Look source dropdown menu
Sets the source for the look. The options are:
- As in Library: Includes the looks applied in the library (see also The Silverstack Look Library).
- None: Disables the color processing and transcodes the clips unmodified (as recorded).
- From File: Reads the clip metadata and applies the color processing described in the embedded looks. In case there is no look embedded, Silverstack applies the default Log to Rec. 709 conversion for the specific format.
Processing checkboxes
Bypasses the processing settings made in the library (the clip’s rotation, flip, anamorphic desqueeze, and crop). Brings the result visually closer to the OCF.
2.8 Framelines#
Framelines checkbox
Enables framelines for transcoding.
Aspect ratio dropdown menu
Sets the aspect ratio for the framelines. You can select values from the dropdown menu or create custom ones by clicking the + button.
Appearance dropdown menu
Sets the appearance of the framelines.
2.9 Burn Ins#
Burn In checkbox
Enables burn ins for transcoding.
Dropdown menus
The six dropdown menus allow you to select various metadata values and represent the positions in the image. The Custom… burn in option (Silverstack Lab only) makes it possible to add metadata wildcards into the custom fields.
Margin H / V
Sets the horizontal and vertical margins to position the burn ins in the frame.
Font and Font Size
Sets the font style (Miso, Helvetica, Courier and Verdana) and the font size in pt.
Transparency
Sets the transparency for the burn ins.
Text Color
Sets the text color to White or Black.
Background
Sets the background to Box, Outline or None.
2.10 Overlay#
Overlay checkbox
Enables the overlay for transcoding.
Choose Image… / Drop image here
Allows you to choose an image or to drag & drop an image onto the drop area. Accepted file types are JPEG, PNG and TIFF.
Size
Sets the size of the image (0 -100 %).
Position X / Y
Sets the position in horizontal and vertical direction.
Transparency
Sets the transparency (0 – 100 %).
2.11 ShotID QR Code#
ShotID QR code checkbox
Enables the QR Code for transcoding.
Size
Sets the size for the QR code. Small, Default, Big are the options to choose from.
Position X / Y
Sets the position in horizontal and vertical direction (-50 to 50%).
2.12 Metadata Export#
Metadata export after transcoding is only available in Silverstack Lab.
Target application
Sets a target application to automatically export a metadata file after transcoding to transfer information to various 3rd party systems. You have the following options:
- Adobe Premiere Pro (XML)
- AVID Media Composer (ALE)
- Final Cut Pro 7(XML)
- Final Cut Pro X (FCPXML)
- COPRA Dailies System (XML)
- Webgate.io (ALE)
- Pomfort XML Metadata (XML)
- None
Select the target application and click the … button to define the settings for the metadata file. Learn more about the configuration of the metadata exports by clicking the links above.