This couple of settings: "--vbv-bufsize 1800 --vbv-maxrate 1800" look quite strange to me, since why the hell would you use CRF - but at the same time restrict it to 1800 kbps. Unless you strictly need 1.8-2.1 Mbps, I'd suggest just messing around a bit with the crf value. Though depending on the source (loads of fast motion isn't healthy for low sizes) you may need to go as far down (up, heh) as --crf 25.xx. Though that's for a tricky case like aliased FPS gameplay footage. You may also want to try the internal "--nr" noise reduction, it's pretty good. (I haven't found it destructive (even on 1000 o_O), but what do I know, haha.) By the way, --no-dct-decimate is a Quality for Size option. (blahblah It increases the video size.)