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    Crunchyroll No longer possible to download H.264

    Hi everyone,

    A few days ago, I chimed in on a thread where someone else had a very similar problem to mine. But since that post didn't get any attention, I'm starting a new one.

    Basically, for a while now, Crunchyroll downloads have only been available in H.265, not H.264, which significantly reduces the final file's bitrate. I don't think it's a site issue because I've checked other platforms and software, and they allow downloads in the preferred format without a hitch.

    So, I'm asking for this to be looked into. If possible, please add an option to choose between H.264 and H.265 when downloading. To help you troubleshoot, I've attached MediaInfo exports of the same video downloaded at different times, with identical settings. You'll see that the quality and format options are no longer the same:


    File #1 (downloaded on March the 1st, 2025):
    Code:
    Generale
    Complete name                            : I:\StreamFab\Crunchyroll\Dragon Ball DAIMAa\S01\Dragon Ball DAIMA_S01E01_LA COSPIRAZIONE.mp4
    Format                                   : MPEG-4
    Format profile                           : Base Media
    Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
    File size                                : 1,79 GiB
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Overall bit rate                         : 8.005 kb/s
    Frame rate                               : 23,976 fps
    Collection                               : Dragon Ball DAIMA
    Season                                   : 1
    Track name                               : LA COSPIRAZIONE
    Description                              : In un castello in un mondo misterioso due Majin sospetti, Gomah e Degesu, guardano uno schermo, mostrante Goku e i suoi amici che combattono contro Majin Bu. I due Majin si dirigono sulla Terra per mettere in atto la loro cospirazione.
    Recorded date                            : Autunno-2024, Inverno-2025
    Writing application                      : Lavf60.3.100
    Cover                                    : Yes
    Part_ID                                  : 1
    
    Video
    ID                                       : 1
    Format                                   : AVC
    Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
    Format profile                           : High@L4
    Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
    Format settings, CABAC                   : Si
    Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frame
    Codec ID                                 : avc1
    Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Bit rate                                 : 8.000 kb/s
    Maximum bit rate                         : 7.871 kb/s
    Width                                    : 1.920 pixel
    Height                                   : 1.080 pixel
    Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
    Frame rate mode                          : Variabile
    Frame rate                               : 23,976 (23976/1000) fps
    Minimum frame rate                       : 23,974 fps
    Maximum frame rate                       : 23,981 fps
    Color space                              : YUV
    Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
    Bit depth                                : 8 bit
    Scan type                                : Progressivo
    Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.161
    Stream size                              : 1,76 GiB (98%)
    Writing library                          : x264 core 164
    Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=4 / deblock=1:1:1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=0.40:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=96 / keyint_min=48 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=48 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=8000 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=12000 / vbv_bufsize=18000 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:0.60
    Language                                 : Inglese
    Color range                              : Limited
    Color primaries                          : BT.709
    Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
    Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
    Casella configurazione codec             : avcC
    
    Audio
    ID                                       : 3
    Format                                   : AAC LC
    Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
    Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Bit rate mode                            : Costante
    Bit rate                                 : 128 kb/s
    Channel(s)                               : 2 canali
    Channel layout                           : L R
    Sampling rate                            : 44,1 KHz
    Frame rate                               : 43,066 fps (1024 SPF)
    Compression mode                         : Con perdita
    Stream size                              : 29,4 MiB (2%)
    Title                                    : 日本語
    Language                                 : Giapponese
    Default                                  : Si
    Alternate group                          : 1


    File #2 (downloaded on July the 13th, 2025):
    Code:
    Generale
    Complete name                            : I:\StreamFab\Crunchyroll\Dragon Ball DAIMA\S01\Dragon Ball DAIMA_S01E01_LA COSPIRAZIONE.mp4
    Format                                   : MPEG-4
    Format profile                           : Base Media
    Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
    File size                                : 1,37 GiB
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Overall bit rate                         : 6.129 kb/s
    Frame rate                               : 23,976 fps
    Collection                               : Dragon Ball DAIMA
    Season                                   : 1
    Track name                               : LA COSPIRAZIONE
    Description                              : In un castello in un mondo misterioso due Majin sospetti, Gomah e Degesu, guardano uno schermo, mostrante Goku e i suoi amici che combattono contro Majin Bu. I due Majin si dirigono sulla Terra per mettere in atto la loro cospirazione.
    Recorded date                            : Autunno-2024, Inverno-2025
    Writing application                      : Lavf61.7.100
    Cover                                    : Yes
    Part_ID                                  : 1
    
    Video
    ID                                       : 1
    Format                                   : AVC
    Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
    Format profile                           : High@L5
    Format settings                          : CABAC / 6 Ref Frames
    Format settings, CABAC                   : Si
    Format settings, Reference frames        : 6 frame
    Codec ID                                 : avc1
    Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Bit rate                                 : 5.931 kb/s
    Width                                    : 1.920 pixel
    Height                                   : 1.080 pixel
    Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
    Frame rate mode                          : Variabile
    Frame rate                               : 23,976 (24000/1001) fps
    Minimum frame rate                       : 23,974 fps
    Maximum frame rate                       : 23,981 fps
    Color space                              : YUV
    Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
    Bit depth                                : 8 bit
    Scan type                                : Progressivo
    Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.119
    Stream size                              : 1,33 GiB (97%)
    Writing library                          : x264 core 164
    Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=6 / deblock=1:1:1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=0.40:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=96 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=5 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=96 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=15.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=8000 / vbv_bufsize=32000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:0.60
    Language                                 : Inglese
    Color range                              : Limited
    Color primaries                          : BT.709
    Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
    Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
    Casella configurazione codec             : avcC
    
    Audio
    ID                                       : 3
    Format                                   : AAC LC
    Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
    Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
    Duration                                 : 32min 5s
    Bit rate mode                            : Costante
    Bit rate                                 : 192 kb/s
    Channel(s)                               : 2 canali
    Channel layout                           : L R
    Sampling rate                            : 44,1 KHz
    Frame rate                               : 43,066 fps (1024 SPF)
    Compression mode                         : Con perdita
    Stream size                              : 44,1 MiB (3%)
    Title                                    : 日本語
    Language                                 : Giapponese
    Default                                  : Si
    Alternate group                          : 1




    In case it helps, this is how the download window appears as of today, with no option to choose between codecs:




    I'm tagging Wilson.Wang as suggested in the previous thread​ for further consideration of the issue. Thanks!
    Attached Files

    #2
    your literally says:


    ID : 1
    Format : AVC
    Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
    Format profile : High@L5
    Format settings : CABAC / 6 Ref Frames
    Format settings, CABAC : Si
    Format settings, Reference frames : 6 frame
    which is h.264

    they clearly re-encoded it with more features (hence L5) and two extra reference frames...

    Comment


      #3
      Ok, then the question becomes: why the competitors are able to download in High@L4 as before, with 8.000 kb/s as the frame rate? Is there a toggle I'm missing, or that could be implemented? Thanks!

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by logusum View Post
        Ok, then the question becomes: why the competitors are able to download in High@L4 as before, with 8.000 kb/s as the frame rate? Is there a toggle I'm missing, or that could be implemented? Thanks!
        Don't know what abstract competitors can do what abstract things, but with the latest SF, I was downloading some stuff yesterday, newer stuff was coming through as level 4 at 8Mbps, newer stuff as L5 ~5.5Mbps

        Comment


          #5
          Ok, let me give you another example to properly compare the outputs. This very episode came out today on CR:


          Downloaded with StreamFab:

          Code:
          Generale
          Complete name                            : I:\StreamFab\Crunchyroll\Toilet-bound Hanako-kun\S02\Toilet-bound Hanako-kun_S02E14_The Near Shore and the Far Shore.mp4
          Format                                   : MPEG-4
          Format profile                           : Base Media
          Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
          File size                                : 801 MiB
          Duration                                 : 23min 46s
          Overall bit rate                         : 4.710 kb/s
          Frame rate                               : 23,976 fps
          Collection                               : Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
          Season                                   : 2
          Track name                               : The Near Shore and the Far Shore
          Description                              : “Visit the ancient retainer that exorcises evil.” Nico’s mother, Ibuki, has delivered a new prophecy.
          Recorded date                            : winter-2025, summer-2025
          Writing application                      : Lavf61.7.100
          Cover                                    : Yes
          Part_ID                                  : 14
          
          Video
          ID                                       : 1
          Format                                   : AVC
          Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
          Format profile                           : High@L5
          Format settings                          : CABAC / 6 Ref Frames
          Format settings, CABAC                   : Si
          Format settings, Reference frames        : 6 frame
          Codec ID                                 : avc1
          Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
          Duration                                 : 23min 45s
          Bit rate                                 : 4.512 kb/s
          Width                                    : 1.920 pixel
          Height                                   : 1.080 pixel
          Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
          Frame rate mode                          : Variabile
          Frame rate                               : 23,976 (24000/1001) fps
          Minimum frame rate                       : 23,974 fps
          Maximum frame rate                       : 23,981 fps
          Color space                              : YUV
          Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
          Bit depth                                : 8 bit
          Scan type                                : Progressivo
          Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.091
          Stream size                              : 767 MiB (96%)
          Writing library                          : x264 core 164
          Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=6 / deblock=1:1:1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=0.40:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=96 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=5 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=96 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=15.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=8000 / vbv_bufsize=32000 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:0.60
          Language                                 : Inglese
          Color range                              : Limited
          Color primaries                          : BT.709
          Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
          Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
          Casella configurazione codec             : avcC
          
          Audio
          ID                                       : 3
          Format                                   : AAC LC
          Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
          Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
          Duration                                 : 23min 46s
          Bit rate mode                            : Costante
          Bit rate                                 : 192 kb/s
          Channel(s)                               : 2 canali
          Channel layout                           : L R
          Sampling rate                            : 48,0 KHz
          Frame rate                               : 46,875 fps (1024 SPF)
          Compression mode                         : Con perdita
          Stream size                              : 32,6 MiB (4%)
          Title                                    : 日本語
          Language                                 : Giapponese
          Default                                  : Si
          Alternate group                          : 1​


          Downloaded (and posted) elsewhere, but with the exact same source:

          Code:
          Generale
          Complete name                            : I:\StreamFab\Crunchyroll\Toilet.bound.Hanako.kun.S02E14.The.Near.Shore.and.the.Far.Shore.1080p.CR.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-OTHER.mkv
          Format                                   : Matroska
          Format version                           : Version 4
          File size                                : 1,36 GiB
          Duration                                 : 23min 46s
          Overall bit rate                         : 8.189 kb/s
          Frame rate                               : 23,976 fps
          Writing application                      : mkvmerge v92.0 ('Everglow') 64-bit
          Writing library                          : libebml v1.4.5 + libmatroska v1.7.1
          
          Video
          ID                                       : 1
          Format                                   : AVC
          Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
          Format profile                           : High@L4
          Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
          Format settings, CABAC                   : Si
          Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frame
          Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
          Duration                                 : 23min 45s
          Bit rate                                 : 8.000 kb/s
          Width                                    : 1.920 pixel
          Height                                   : 1.080 pixel
          Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
          Frame rate mode                          : Costante
          Frame rate                               : 23,976 (24000/1001) fps
          Color space                              : YUV
          Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
          Bit depth                                : 8 bit
          Scan type                                : Progressivo
          Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.161
          Stream size                              : 1,32 GiB (97%)
          Writing library                          : x264 core 164
          Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=4 / deblock=1:1:1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=0.40:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=96 / keyint_min=48 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=48 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=8000 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=12000 / vbv_bufsize=18000 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:0.60
          Default                                  : Si
          Forced                                   : No
          Color range                              : Limited
          Color primaries                          : BT.709
          Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
          Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709
          
          Audio
          ID                                       : 2
          Format                                   : AAC LC
          Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
          Codec ID                                 : A_AAC-2
          Duration                                 : 23min 46s
          Bit rate                                 : 192 kb/s
          Channel(s)                               : 2 canali
          Channel layout                           : L R
          Sampling rate                            : 48,0 KHz
          Frame rate                               : 46,875 fps (1024 SPF)
          Compression mode                         : Con perdita
          Stream size                              : 32,6 MiB (2%)
          Language                                 : Giapponese
          Default                                  : Si
          Forced                                   : No​


          How is this possible?

          Comment


            #6
            different region?

            I just played it in firefox, and got this as the best option in the manifest:
            Code:
             <Representation id="f2-v1-x3" mimeType="video/mp4" codecs="avc1.640032" width="1920" height="1080" frameRate="45000/1877" sar="1:1" startWithSAP="1" bandwidth="4512245">

            Comment


              #7
              I've tried downloading a different language option (since, as far as I remember, CR treats every language as a separate video, or at least that's how it worked some time ago) as well as downloading from a different region using my VPN... No luck whatsoever... Still stuck with High@L5...

              Comment


                #8
                don't forget that the higher level of encoding means there are generally far higher picture decode buffer requirements, so you end up saving actual bandwidth because you don't need to re-fill and re-send I frames as often (hence the 6 refs vs 4, for example), so even with the smaller bandwidth reqs, you get better encodes

                Comment


                  #9
                  Yeah, I see what you mean — the thing is, I have many series already downloaded midway and I’d prefer not to switch quality all of a sudden nor redownload the whole thing.
                  That’s why I hope someone will have a look at this and implement a toggle for video quality — same as what’s been done with Netflix or Prime.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by logusum View Post
                    Yeah, I see what you mean — the thing is, I have many series already downloaded midway and I’d prefer not to switch quality all of a sudden nor redownload the whole thing.
                    That’s why I hope someone will have a look at this and implement a toggle for video quality — same as what’s been done with Netflix or Prime.
                    People need to stop thinking higher bitrate is higher quality, if you want to really compare the quality, at the very least you have to compare QPs for each frame… but look at the actual params of the newly coded video- they set crf=15 which is ridiculous, and they still don’t hit the 8Mbps with L5, cf. previous 2pass encode, most likely the previous encodes just wasted bandwidth unnecessarily and wasted CPU encoding time too (although Sony should just invest in Intel’s Arc and use decent hardware encoding (yes, chances are Sony are reading this forum))

                    Comment


                      #11
                      This might help clear a few things up:-

                      Code:
                      https://superuser.com/questions/1448982/will-i-get-any-visual-benefit-if-i-use-crf-values-below-17-18-in-x264-ffmpeg

                      Comment

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