Table of Contents

Enum H264NVENCProfile

Namespace
VisioForge.Core.Types.FFMPEGEXE
Assembly
VisioForge.Core.dll

FFMPEG EXE H264 NVENC profile.

public enum H264NVENCProfile

Fields

Baseline = 0

Baseline.

The most basic H.264 profile with maximum compatibility but limited compression tools. Designed for low-complexity applications and devices with minimal processing power.

FFMPEG usage: -profile:v baseline

Profile constraints:

  • No B-frames (only I and P frames)
  • No CABAC entropy coding (CAVLC only)
  • No interlaced coding
  • No 8x8 transform
  • Limited to 4:2:0 chroma sampling

Compression tools available:

  • I and P slices only
  • In-loop deblocking filter
  • Variable block sizes (16x16 to 4x4)
  • Multiple reference frames

Use cases:

  • Mobile video conferencing
  • Low-power embedded devices
  • Legacy device compatibility
  • Real-time communication with minimal latency
  • Streaming to older mobile devices

Compatibility:

  • Supported by all H.264 decoders
  • iPhone 3GS and newer
  • Android 2.2 and newer
  • Most feature phones with video
Main = 1

Main.

The standard profile for broadcast and streaming applications, offering a good balance between compression efficiency and compatibility. Widely supported by modern devices.

FFMPEG usage: -profile:v main

Profile features:

  • B-frames supported (better compression)
  • CABAC entropy coding
  • Interlaced video support
  • All Baseline features included
  • 4:2:0 chroma sampling only

Additional tools over Baseline:

  • Bi-directional prediction (B-frames)
  • Weighted prediction
  • Better motion compensation
  • Field coding for interlaced content

Use cases:

  • Standard streaming platforms (YouTube, Netflix)
  • Digital TV broadcasting
  • Blu-ray discs (with level constraints)
  • Professional video production
  • General purpose video encoding

Compatibility:

  • Most devices from 2010 onwards
  • All modern smartphones and tablets
  • Smart TVs and streaming boxes
  • Gaming consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, and newer)
  • Hardware decode widely available
High = 2

High.

Advanced profile offering maximum compression efficiency with all H.264 tools available. Standard for high-quality video distribution and professional applications.

FFMPEG usage: -profile:v high

Profile enhancements:

  • 8x8 transform and prediction
  • Custom quantization matrices
  • Separate Cb and Cr QP control
  • All Main profile features
  • Monochrome video support

Advanced compression tools:

  • 8x8 integer transform (better for HD)
  • Adaptive transform size selection
  • Perceptual quantization optimization
  • Enhanced motion prediction

Benefits over Main:

  • 10-15% better compression
  • Better quality at high resolutions
  • More efficient for film content
  • Superior detail preservation

Use cases:

  • Premium streaming services
  • Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray
  • Professional video archival
  • High-quality video production
  • 1080p and 4K content delivery

Compatibility:

  • Modern devices (2012+)
  • Current smartphones and tablets
  • 4K TVs and media players
  • Desktop software players
  • May require hardware decode for 4K
High444p = 3

High 444.

Professional profile supporting full chroma resolution and extended color spaces. Designed for applications requiring maximum color fidelity and post-production workflows.

FFMPEG usage: -profile:v high444p

Extended features:

  • 4:4:4 chroma sampling (full color resolution)
  • Up to 14-bit sample depth support
  • Separate color plane coding
  • Lossless encoding capability
  • All High profile features

Color capabilities:

  • RGB color space support
  • Full chroma resolution (no subsampling)
  • Extended bit depths (10/12/14-bit)
  • Wide color gamut support
  • Alpha channel support (in some implementations)

Use cases:

  • Professional video production
  • Visual effects and compositing
  • Medical and scientific imaging
  • Digital cinema mastering
  • Screen content with text
  • Lossless compression needs

Limitations:

  • Very limited hardware decode support
  • Not supported by most consumer devices
  • Significantly larger file sizes
  • Primarily for professional workflows
  • May require software decoding

Note: NVENC support for High 4:4:4 may be limited to professional GPUs (Quadro/RTX) and specific driver versions. Consumer GeForce cards may have restrictions.

Remarks

Defines H.264/AVC profiles available when encoding with NVIDIA NVENC through FFMPEG. Profiles represent sets of encoding tools and constraints that affect compatibility, compression efficiency, and visual quality. Higher profiles generally offer better compression but may have limited device support.

In FFMPEG with h264_nvenc, profiles are specified using the -profile:v option: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v h264_nvenc -profile:v high output.mp4

Profile selection should consider:

  • Target device compatibility requirements
  • Available bandwidth or storage constraints
  • Content characteristics (color depth, chroma sampling)
  • Decode performance requirements