FFmpeg Recipe Builder

# Platform: YouTube Standard
# Source: PRORES 422HQ · 1080p · stereo
ffmpeg -i source_master.mov \
  -i source_master.mov \    # Source file — replace with your actual filename
  -c:v libx264 \    # H.264 — YouTube accepts H.264, H.265, VP9
  -profile:v high \    # High Profile
  -crf 18 \    # YouTube re-encodes — high quality source matters
  -color_primaries bt709 \    # Rec.709 SDR
  -color_trc bt709 \
  -colorspace bt709 \
  -movflags +faststart \    # REQUIRED: moov atom at front — prevents 'Processing abandoned' error
  -c:a aac \    # AAC-LC for social/streaming
  -b:a 256k \
  -ar 48000 \    # 48 kHz sample rate
  -ac 2 \    # Stereo (2 channels)
  -af "loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1:LRA=11:print_format=summary" \    # Loudness normalization to -14 LUFS integrated (REFERENCE ONLY for broadcast — use ATSC A/85 meter)
  youtube-standard_output.mp4