Is there any way to distribute x264 encoding jobs across multiple computers (to increase the encoding speed)?

Posted by Breakthrough on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Breakthrough
Published on 2009-08-21T13:18:43Z Indexed on 2011/11/19 1:55 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 247

Does anyone know of a current, active solution to encoding x264 videos across many computers (via the network) to increase encoding FPS?

Brownie points for cross-platform and open source, but just so you all know, I usually use Windows.


Programs that I have heard of, and why I do not believe they are suitable:

  • x264farm: Not actively developed. Good interface, but does not support two-pass encoding, and fails with newer x264 builds.
  • ELDER: Again, not actively developed, but my issue was that it didn't work with new x264 builds, and it was very difficult to configure (read: randomly stopped working).

While I don't absolutely need a program which is being actively developed, I would like one that supports two-pass encoding, and works with new(er) x264 builds.


Additional information: So far, I've offered (and awarded!) two separate bounties on this question since I first posted it over two years ago, and I still haven't found a solution to this problem. What I'm looking for basically is a simple program to allow me to encode x264 videos using the processing power of multiple computers connected over a LAN.

Furthermore, it would be nice if it worked with new(er) x264 builds, and supported two-pass encoding. If at any time someone has an updated answer, or a new solution to this problem, please post it and it will be given some consideration.

© Super User or respective owner

Related posts about encoding

Related posts about Cloud