> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.calibratedsoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.calibratedsoftware.com/tin-man/tin-man-desktop/export-panel/export-video-options/h.264.md).

# H.264

<figure><img src="/files/Lkr0VZR0KrwqrgvEW49S" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Tin Man offers flexible H.264 export settings optimized for a range of workflows. Available options may vary slightly between Windows and macOS.

**Bitrate Mode**

*(Windows Only unless noted)*

* **Variable** – Dynamically adjusts bitrate based on scene complexity
* **Constant** – Maintains a fixed bitrate throughout the video
* **Constant QP (Quantization Parameter)** – Fixed quality per frame, useful for consistent image quality
* **Auto** *(macOS)* – Automatically selects the appropriate bitrate mode

**Target / Max Bitrate (Mbps)**

* Adjustable range: **0.1 Mbps** (low) to **400 Mbps** (high)
* Available for Variable and Constant bitrate modes

**Quality / Speed Tradeoff**

* Adjusts the encoder to favor **faster processing** with lower quality, or **higher quality** with slower performance
* Useful for balancing render time and output fidelity

**Profile / Level**

* Sets the **H.264 profile** (e.g., Baseline, Main, High) and **level** (e.g., 4.0, 5.1)
* Important for compatibility with various playback systems

**Entropy Coding**

* **Auto** – Encoder decides
* **CABAC** – Higher compression, better quality (slower to encode)
* **CAVLC** – Lower compression, faster encoding (less efficient)

**Hardware Encoding**

* Enables or disables **hardware-accelerated encoding**
* Improves export speed when supported by the system’s GPU

**GOP (Group of Pictures) Settings**

* **GOP Type**\
  Choose between:
  * **I-Frames Only** – Intra-frame only (better for editing)
  * **IPB** – Inter-frame encoding with P and B frames (better compression)
* **GOP Size**\
  Controls the number of frames between keyframes (I-frames)
* **IDR Interval**
  * **Windows:** Manually adjustable (up to 50× the GOP size)
  * **macOS:** Automatically managed by the system