Start with delivery intent
Choose the container and output mode before changing individual codec options. Match Source/Intelligent is appropriate for same-format cutting; Force Recode is appropriate when changing picture properties or creating a standardised delivery.
Principal settings
- Video codec or Match Source policy
- Frame dimensions and frame-rate handling for full transcode
- Audio copy or transcode codec, bitrate, sample rate, channels and gain
- Video fade-in and fade-out durations, with a Fade audio with video checkbox checked by default
- Subtitle, chapter, attachment and metadata preservation policy
- File extension and destination container
Fade video and audio
Set fade-in and fade-out in the profile. SmartCut64 encodes the faded video sections and required GOP boundaries while copying compatible pictures between them. Leave Fade audio with video checked to fade the audio too, or uncheck it for video-only fades. Audio is copied when no audio transform is needed. Force Recode, picture transforms and evaluation watermarking still encode all video pictures. Check the result in your target player; complete VideoReDo transition compatibility is not claimed.
Keep copy and transcode concepts separate
A packet-copy stream is not modified by gain, scaling or codec options. If an option requires decoded samples or pictures, the profile must explicitly transcode the affected stream. The Save dialog should explain any automatic policy change before work begins.