Does anyone have QuickSync/VAAPI/other hardware transcoding working (on FreeBSD|NAS)

[milky 0]

I've got a FreeNAS 11.2 setup with a Skylake Xeon, which has hardware support for Quick Sync. But, I've never managed to get it working with Emby. It's got enough raw speed for software transcoding, until I've started loading in more 4k content, and it just barely isn't able to keep up now. So, I've been trying to find out if there's a way to get Quick Sync or something running to take some of the load off. Info on this for FreeBSD is scant to come by.

 

[Baenwort 98]

I used Quicksync successfully when it first was added to Emby but I turned it off for higher quality transcoding options. I haven't used it since so I can't state what the current state of it is nor what it is for 4K (I only have 1080p 264 and 265 encodes right now).

[embytal 3]

I used Quicksync successfully when it first was added to Emby but I turned it off for higher quality transcoding options. I haven't used it since so I can't state what the current state of it is nor what it is for 4K (I only have 1080p 264 and 265 encodes right now).

 

Can you share the higher quality transcoding options you are using?

[Baenwort 98]

I use a post.sh in my Live Recordings area to transcode to .mp4 using Handbrake you can find some suggested settings all over the web. I also feed any other new media I get through the same script file.

 

I have devices that all play 264 encoded files well and I haven't moved to 4K yet so I'm in a happy place for now. I found that storage is easier than performance. Turning off Quicksync was one of the steps I took to get the automated conversion to work after recording. Once I had that working I just fed everything that wasn't 264 into it to unify. 

 

If you are willing to go custom in your Emby install there are ways to set the flags Emby uses for Transcoding but it was more work than I want to use.  Also for the CPU I have in my Emby Server (being a Pre-Gen9) per Intel it doesn't support the highest quality settings of ffmpeg. https://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/intel-media-sdk/topic/597723 

 

However, just as a guide if you are interested in customizing how it works see: https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/56730-emby-not-respecting-h264-encoding-preset-setting-on-hardware-encoding-for-intel-quick-sync/