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  "markdown": "## Where should I start?\n\nFollow [the first FFmpeg encode](/guides/first-ffmpeg-encode/) for a complete beginner workflow, then\n[choose a codec and encoder](/guides/choose-a-codec/) for your playback and editing targets. Codec\npages describe formats; encoder pages describe the programs that write them. A codec name alone\ndoes not tell you the profile, chroma format, HDR support or browser compatibility.\n\n## Why Encode Wiki?\n\nMultimedia compression has no easy entry point: Wikipedia covers individual topics, and the rest of\nthe knowledge is scattered across forums, Discord servers and old guides. Encode Wiki puts codec\nexplanations, encoder settings, practical guides and dated experiments in one place. It includes\nmaterial migrated from the community [Codec Wiki](https://github.com/av1-community-contributors/codec-wiki),\nwith provenance and license kept; in older articles, “Codec Wiki” means that original project.\n\n## How old is too old for a benchmark?\n\nEncoders change quickly, so a comparison is only as current as the versions it tested. Check an\narticle's encoder versions, presets, metric implementation and hardware before reusing its\nconclusions, and expect old presets and fork-specific flags to behave differently or not exist in\ncurrent releases. [Comparing encoding quality](/guides/compare-encoding-quality/) explains what a\nfair comparison needs.\n\n## Where are more resources?\n\nThe [resource page](/reference/resources/) lists upstream specifications and tool documentation\nfirst, then community tutorials. The tutorials explain workflows well, but several were written for\nolder plugin interfaces and encoder versions.\n\n## How can I contribute?\n\nOpen a merge request against `master` in the [GitLab project](https://gitgud.io/encode/encode.wiki).\nCite primary sources for technical claims and say which tool versions you used for commands. The\nrepository's [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://gitgud.io/encode/encode.wiki/-/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)\ncovers the details; [the contribution guide](/reference/legacy/contribution-guide/) summarizes it and\nexplains what changed from the old Codec Wiki process.\n"
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