# FAQ

Canonical URL: https://encode.wiki/reference/faq/
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## Where should I start?

Follow [the first FFmpeg encode](/guides/first-ffmpeg-encode/) for a complete beginner workflow, then
[choose a codec and encoder](/guides/choose-a-codec/) for your playback and editing targets. Codec
pages describe formats; encoder pages describe the programs that write them. A codec name alone
does not tell you the profile, chroma format, HDR support or browser compatibility.

## Why Encode Wiki?

Multimedia compression has no easy entry point: Wikipedia covers individual topics, and the rest of
the knowledge is scattered across forums, Discord servers and old guides. Encode Wiki puts codec
explanations, encoder settings, practical guides and dated experiments in one place. It includes
material migrated from the community [Codec Wiki](https://github.com/av1-community-contributors/codec-wiki),
with provenance and license kept; in older articles, “Codec Wiki” means that original project.

## How old is too old for a benchmark?

Encoders change quickly, so a comparison is only as current as the versions it tested. Check an
article's encoder versions, presets, metric implementation and hardware before reusing its
conclusions, and expect old presets and fork-specific flags to behave differently or not exist in
current releases. [Comparing encoding quality](/guides/compare-encoding-quality/) explains what a
fair comparison needs.

## Where are more resources?

The [resource page](/reference/resources/) lists upstream specifications and tool documentation
first, then community tutorials. The tutorials explain workflows well, but several were written for
older plugin interfaces and encoder versions.

## How can I contribute?

Open a merge request against `master` in the [GitLab project](https://gitgud.io/encode/encode.wiki).
Cite primary sources for technical claims and say which tool versions you used for commands. The
repository's [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://gitgud.io/encode/encode.wiki/-/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
covers the details; [the contribution guide](/reference/legacy/contribution-guide/) summarizes it and
explains what changed from the old Codec Wiki process.