vsFilterScript VS staxrip

thx for the suggestions, unfortunately I'm stuck with std::regex (C++) and it doesn't come with an overload that allows me to specify a custom callback for substitution, and that leaves me no choice but to manually manipulate low level regex iterators, but I got it working eventually, now I actually got another question, is it possible to do the reverse of what is described in this post using regex? so folding patterns like "a:e,b:e,c:e,d:e" into "[a,b,c,d]:e"

something like this: https://github.com/IFeelBloated/vsFilterScript/blob/master/include/Function.vxx#L12?

Its literally a feature of all the underlying encoders. And you can do it even with exotic ffmpeg/vapoursynth filter chains. So I can't imagine why.

TBH I would just recommend Staxrip if you are on Windows: https://github.com/staxrip/staxrip

There is a linux equivalent, I can't remember what its called.

Or maybe some av1an GUI for Mac/Linux. All of these things support a target file size with many more features.

Since ffmpeg CLI still makes me pull ny hair out, I am going to plug vapoursynth:

https://www.vapoursynth.com/

Its Pythonic video filters... But also so much more: https://vsdb.top/

And Staxrip, which makes such good use of ffmpeg, vapoursynth, and dozens of other encoders and tools that I reboot from linux to Windows just to use it: https://github.com/staxrip/staxrip

https://github.com/staxrip/staxrip GUI But av1 outdated a bit which could be replaced/rebuild https://github.com/m-ab-s/media-autobuild_suite

2-4: I use StaxRip to encode the video because it includes the QTGMC deinterlacer, which is from my research a very good deinterlacer that produces less artifacts in the video than other deinterlacers like the one included in HandBrake.

But I actually got through it and found a great solution for myself using StaxRip and an updated QSVEnc by Rigaya. Replace StaxRip's outdated QSVEnc with the updated Rigaya QSVEnc.