Video Commander

Encode Video to a Target VMAF Score

Finding the right CRF for a given quality target means encoding, measuring VMAF, adjusting, and repeating. Video Commander automates that loop — you set the score you want, and the app finds the optimal CRF for you.

Video Commander — Target VMAF encoding settings

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How It Works

Set a target VMAF score

Enter a score between 50 and 99 (default 93) and select the target device model — HD, 4K, or Phone.

The app searches for the optimal CRF

Video Commander encodes a 30-second probe clip from the middle of the source and binary-searches over CRF values — up to six iterations — until it finds the lowest-bitrate CRF that meets your target.

The final encode runs automatically

Once the search converges, the full encode runs at the found CRF. The result shows the CRF used, achieved VMAF score, output file size, and bitrate.

CRF Search in Progress

The jobs queue shows the search stage and iteration count as it runs — "Finding quality (3/6)" — so you always know where the encoder is in the process.

Video Commander — Target VMAF CRF search running

Capabilities

Binary search over CRF 0–51, up to 6 probe iterations
Target VMAF score configurable from 50 to 99
VMAF model selector: HD / Default, 4K, or Phone
Stage labels in the jobs queue: "Finding quality (2/6)" → "Encoding"
Result summary: CRF, VMAF score, file size, and bitrate
Falls back to best-effort CRF if target is not reachable
Checks FFmpeg VMAF support upfront — tells you before encoding starts, not after
Works alongside H.264, HEVC, and other supported codecs

Target VMAF vs Manual CRF Tuning

Task	Manual CRF tuning	Video Commander
Achieve a quality target	Encode, measure VMAF, adjust CRF, repeat	Set target score, submit once
Pick the right CRF	Trial and error based on experience	Automatic binary search
Check the result	Run a separate VMAF analysis	Score shown in the job detail
Tune for device type	Select libvmaf model manually in CLI	HD / 4K / Phone selector in the UI
Know if FFmpeg supports VMAF	Discover at runtime via cryptic error	Pre-flight check with a clear message

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VMAF-targeted encoding?: Instead of specifying a CRF value directly, you specify the VMAF quality score you want the output to achieve. The encoder searches for the lowest-bitrate CRF that meets that threshold, so you get the smallest file that still looks good enough.
How accurate is the VMAF score in the result?: The search is based on a 30-second probe clip from the middle of the source. The final encode uses the CRF that met the target on the probe, so the achieved score on the full encode may vary slightly depending on content complexity.
What happens if the target VMAF score cannot be reached?: If no probed CRF reaches the target, Video Commander falls back to the lowest CRF tried and encodes at that quality level. The job detail will reflect the actual score achieved.
Which VMAF model should I use?: Use HD / Default for standard 1080p delivery, 4K for UHD content, and Phone for mobile-targeted encodes. Each model is calibrated for different display characteristics.
Does my FFmpeg installation need to support VMAF?: Yes. Video Commander checks for VMAF support before the encode starts and tells you upfront if it is not available, so you are not left wondering why a job failed.
Is it free?: Video Commander is free for personal use. A paid license is required for commercial use.

Stop Guessing CRF Values

Video Commander runs locally on macOS and Windows — no subscription for personal use.