Command line reference

The following details all the available options in the command line interface. This information may be accessed at any time by running HandBrakeCLI --help. Please run this command on your own system as available options may vary depending on operating system and system hardware.

For reference, the following was generated by the Windows version of HandBrakeCLI. Options may vary slightly depending on hardware / operating system. Run HandBrakeCLI --help for valid options for your system.

Usage: HandBrakeCLI [options] -i <source> -o <destination>

General Options --------------------------------------------------------------

 -h, --help Print help
 --version Print version
 --json Log title, progress, and version info in
 JSON format
 -v, --verbose[=number] Be verbose (optional argument: logging level)
 -Z, --preset <string> Select preset by name (case-sensitive)
 Enclose names containing spaces in double quotation
 marks (e.g. "Preset Name")
 -z, --preset-list List available presets
 --preset-import-file <filespec>
 Import presets from a json preset file.
 'filespec' may be a list of files separated
 by spaces, or it may use shell wildcards.
 --preset-import-gui Import presets from GUI config preset file.
 --preset-export <string>
 Create a new preset from command line options and
 write a json representation of the preset to the
 console or a file if '--preset-export-file' is
 specified. The required argument will be the name
 of the new preset.
 --preset-export-file <filename>
 Write new preset generated by '--preset-export'
 to file 'filename'.
 --preset-export-description <string>
 Add a description to the new preset created with
 '--preset-export'
 --queue-import-file <filename>
 Import an encode queue file created by the GUI
 --no-dvdnav Do not use dvdnav for reading DVDs


Source Options ---------------------------------------------------------------

 -i, --input <string> Set input file or device ("source")
 -t, --title <number> Select a title to encode (0 to scan all titles
 only, default: 1)
 --min-duration Set the minimum title duration (in seconds).
 Shorter titles will be ignored (default: 10).
 --scan Scan selected title only.
 --main-feature Detect and select the main feature title.
 --keep-duplicate-titles
 Keep duplicate titles when scanning (Blu-ray only)
 -c, --chapters <string> Select chapters (e.g. "1-3" for chapters
 1 to 3 or "3" for chapter 3 only,
 default: all chapters)
 --angle <number> Select the video angle (DVD or Blu-ray only)
 --previews <number:boolean>
 Select how many preview images are generated,
 and whether to store to disk (0 or 1).
 (default: 10:0)
 --start-at-preview <number>
 Start encoding at a given preview.
 --start-at <string:number>
 Start encoding at a given offset in seconds,
 frames, or pts (on a 90kHz clock)
 (e.g. seconds:10, frames:300, pts:900000).
 Units must match --stop-at units, if specified.
 --stop-at <string:number>
 Stop encoding after a given duration in seconds,
 frames, or pts (on a 90kHz clock) has passed
 (e.g. seconds:10, frames:300, pts:900000).
 Duration is relative to --start-at, if specified.
 Units must match --start-at units, if specified.


Destination Options ----------------------------------------------------------

 -o, --output <filename> Set destination file name
 -f, --format <string> Select container format:
 av_mp4
 av_mkv
 av_webm
 default: auto-detected from destination file name)
 -m, --markers Add chapter markers
 --no-markers Disable preset chapter markers
 -O, --optimize Optimize MP4 files for HTTP streaming (fast start,
 s.s. rewrite file to place MOOV atom at beginning)
 --no-optimize Disable preset 'optimize'
 -I, --ipod-atom Add iPod 5G compatibility atom to MP4 container
 --no-ipod-atom Disable iPod 5G atom
 --align-av Add audio silence or black video frames to start
 of streams so that all streams start at exactly
 the same time
 --keep-metadata Preserve the source's common metadata
 --no-metadata Disable preset 'keep-metadata'
 of streams so that all streams start at exactly
 the same time
 --inline-parameter-sets Create adaptive streaming compatible output.
 Inserts parameter sets (SPS and PPS) inline
 in the video stream before each IDR.


Video Options ----------------------------------------------------------------

 -e, --encoder <string> Select video encoder:
 svt_av1
 svt_av1_10bit
 ffv1
 x264
 x264_10bit
 vce_h264
 nvenc_h264
 x265
 x265_10bit
 x265_12bit
 vce_h265
 vce_h265_10bit
 nvenc_h265
 nvenc_h265_10bit
 mpeg4
 mpeg2
 VP8
 VP9
 VP9_10bit
 theora
 --encoder-preset <string>
 Adjust video encoding settings for a particular
 speed/efficiency tradeoff (encoder-specific)
 --encoder-preset-list <string>
 List supported --encoder-preset values for the
 specified video encoder
 --encoder-tune <string>
 Adjust video encoding settings for a particular
 type of source or situation (encoder-specific)
 --encoder-tune-list <string>
 List supported --encoder-tune values for the
 specified video encoder
 -x, --encopts <string> Specify advanced encoding options in the same
 style as mencoder (all encoders except theora):
 option1=value1:option2=value2
 --encoder-profile <string>
 Ensure compliance with the requested codec
 profile (encoder-specific)
 --encoder-profile-list <string>
 List supported --encoder-profile values for the
 specified video encoder
 --encoder-level <string>
 Ensures compliance with the requested codec
 level (encoder-specific)
 --encoder-level-list <string>
 List supported --encoder-level values for the
 specified video encoder
 -q, --quality <float> Set video quality (e.g. 22.0)
 -b, --vb <number> Set video bitrate in kbit/s (default: 1000)
 --multi-pass Use multi-pass mode
 --no-multi-pass Disable multi-pass mode
 -T, --turbo When using multi-pass use "turbo" options on the
 first pass to improve speed
 (works with x264 and x265)
 --no-turbo Disable 2-pass mode's "turbo" first pass
 -r, --rate <float> Set video framerate
 (5/10/12/15/20/23.976/24/25/29.97/
 30/48/50/59.94/60/72/75/90/100/120
 or a number between 1 and 1000).
 Be aware that not specifying a framerate lets
 HandBrake preserve a source's time stamps,
 potentially creating variable framerate video
 --vfr, --cfr, --pfr Select variable, constant or peak-limited
 frame rate control. VFR preserves the source
 timing. CFR makes the output constant rate at
 the rate given by the -r flag (or the source's
 average rate if no -r is given). PFR doesn't
 allow the rate to go over the rate specified
 with the -r flag but won't change the source
 timing if it's below that rate.
 If none of these flags are given, the default
 is --pfr when -r is given and --vfr otherwise
 --hdr-dynamic-metadata <string>
 Set the kind of HDR dynamic metadata to preserve:
 hdr10plus
 dolbyvision
 all
 --no-hdr-dynamic-metadata Disable HDR dynamic metadata passthru
 --enable-hw-decoding <string> 
 Use 'nvdec' to enable NVDec 
 Use 'qsv' to enable QSV decoding 
 --disable-hw-decoding Disable hardware decoding of the video track,
 forcing software decoding instead


Audio Options ----------------------------------------------------------------

 --audio-lang-list <string>
 Specify a comma separated list of audio
 languages you would like to select from the
 source title. By default, the first audio
 matching each language will be added to your
 output. Provide the language's ISO 639-2 code
 (e.g. fre, eng, spa, dut, et cetera)
 Use code 'any' to match all languages.
 --all-audio Select all audio tracks matching languages in
 the specified language list (--audio-lang-list).
 Any language if list is not specified.
 --first-audio Select first audio track matching languages in
 the specified language list (--audio-lang-list).
 Any language if list is not specified.
 -a, --audio <string> Select audio track(s), separated by commas
 ("none" for no audio, "1,2,3" for multiple
 tracks, default: first one).
 Multiple output tracks can be used for one input.
 -E, --aencoder <string> Select audio encoder(s):
 none
 av_aac
 copy:aac
 ac3
 copy:ac3
 eac3
 copy:eac3
 truehd
 copy:truehd
 copy:dts
 copy:dtshd
 copy:mp2
 mp3
 copy:mp3
 opus
 copy:opus
 vorbis
 copy:vorbis
 flac16
 flac24
 copy:flac
 alac16
 alac24
 copy:alac
 copy
 "copy:<type>" will enable passthru of the 
 corresponding audio track without modification
 if passthru is supported for the audio type.
 Separate tracks by commas.
 Defaults:
 av_mp4 av_aac
 av_mkv mp3
 av_webm opus
 --audio-copy-mask <string>
 Set audio codecs that are permitted when the
 "copy" audio encoder option is specified
 (aac/ac3/eac3/truehd/dts/dtshd/mp2/mp3/opus/vorbis/flac/alac)
 Separated by commas for multiple allowed options.
 --audio-fallback <string>
 Set audio codec to use when it is not possible
 to copy an audio track without re-encoding.
 -B, --ab <number> Set audio track bitrate(s) in kbit/s.
 (default: determined by the selected codec, mixdown,
 and samplerate combination).
 Separate tracks by commas.
 -Q, --aq <float> Set audio quality metric.
 Separate tracks by commas.
 -C, --ac <float> Set audio compression metric.
 (available depending on selected codec)
 Separate tracks by commas.
 -6, --mixdown <string> Format(s) for audio downmixing/upmixing:
 mono
 left_only
 right_only
 stereo
 dpl1
 dpl2
 5point1
 6point1
 7point1
 5_2_lfe
 Separate tracks by commas.
 Defaults:
 none up to dpl2
 av_aac up to 7point1
 ac3 up to 5point1
 eac3 up to 5point1
 truehd up to 5point1
 mp3 up to dpl2
 opus up to 7point1
 vorbis up to dpl2
 flac16 up to 7point1
 flac24 up to 7point1
 alac16 up to 7point1
 alac24 up to 7point1
 --normalize-mix Normalize audio mix levels to prevent clipping.
 <string> Separate tracks by commas.
 0 = Disable Normalization (default)
 1 = Enable Normalization
 -R, --arate Set audio samplerate(s)
 (8/11.025/12/16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz)
 or "auto". Separate tracks by commas.
 -D, --drc <float> Apply extra dynamic range compression to the
 audio, making soft sounds louder. Range is 1.0
 to 4.0 (too loud), with 1.5 - 2.5 being a useful
 range.
 Separate tracks by commas.
 --gain <float> Amplify or attenuate audio before encoding. Does
 NOT work with audio passthru (copy). Values are
 in dB. Negative values attenuate, positive
 values amplify. A 1 dB difference is barely
 audible.
 --adither <string> Select dithering to apply before encoding audio:
 auto (default)
 none
 rectangular
 triangular
 triangular_hp
 lipshitz_ns
 Separate tracks by commas.
 Supported by encoder(s):
 flac16
 --keep-aname Passthru the source audio track(s) name(s).
 --no-keep-aname Disable the source audio track(s) name(s) passthru.
 --automatic-naming-behaviour
 Set the audio track(s) automatic naming behaviour:
 off
 unnamed
 all
 Disable the source audio track(s) name(s) passthru.
 -A, --aname <string> Set audio track name(s).
 Separate tracks by commas.


Picture Options --------------------------------------------------------------

 -w, --width <number> Set storage width in pixels
 -l, --height <number> Set storage height in pixels
 --crop-mode <string> auto|conservative|none|custom
 Choose which crop mode to operate in.
 Default: auto unless --crop is set in which case custom 
 --crop <top:bottom:left:right>
 Set picture cropping in pixels
 (default: automatically remove black bars)
 --crop-threshold-pixels <number>
 Number of pixels difference before we consider the frame
 to be a different aspect ratio
 (default: 9)
 --crop-threshold-frames <number>
 Number of frames that must be different to trigger
 smart crop 
 (default: 4, 6 or 8 scaling with preview count)
 -Y, --maxHeight <number>
 Set maximum height in pixels
 -X, --maxWidth <number>
 Set maximum width in pixels
 --non-anamorphic Set pixel aspect ratio to 1:1
 --auto-anamorphic Store pixel aspect ratio that maximizes storage
 resolution
 --loose-anamorphic Store pixel aspect ratio that is as close as
 possible to the source video pixel aspect ratio
 --custom-anamorphic Store pixel aspect ratio in video stream and
 directly control all parameters.
 --display-width <number>
 Set display width in pixels, for custom anamorphic.
 This determines the display aspect during playback,
 which may differ from the storage aspect.
 --keep-display-aspect Preserve the source's display aspect ratio
 when using custom anamorphic
 --no-keep-display-aspect
 Disable preset 'keep-display-aspect'
 --pixel-aspect <par_x:par_y>
 Set pixel aspect for custom anamorphic
 (--display-width and --pixel-aspect are mutually
 exclusive.
 --itu-par Use wider ITU pixel aspect values for loose and
 custom anamorphic, useful with underscanned sources
 --no-itu-par Disable preset 'itu-par'
 --modulus <number> Set storage width and height modulus
 Dimensions will be made divisible by this number.
 (default: set by preset, typically 2)
 --color-range <string>
 Set the color range of the output.
 auto
 limited
 full
 (default: set by preset, typically limited)
 -M, --color-matrix <string>
 Set the color space signaled by the output:
 Overrides color signalling with no conversion.
 2020
 709
 601
 ntsc (same as 601)
 pal
 (default: auto-detected from source)


Filters Options --------------------------------------------------------------

 --comb-detect[=string] Detect interlace artifacts in frames.
 If not accompanied by the decomb or deinterlace
 filters, this filter only logs the interlaced
 frame count to the activity log.
 If accompanied by the decomb or deinterlace
 filters, it causes these filters to selectively
 deinterlace only those frames where interlacing
 is detected.
 Presets:
 permissive
 fast
 Custom Format:
 mode=m:spatial-metric=s:motion-thresh=m:
 spatial-thresh=s:filter-mode=f:block-thresh=b:
 block-width=b:block-height=b:disable=d
 Default:
 mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:
 spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:
 block-width=16:block-height=16
 --no-comb-detect Disable preset comb-detect filter
 -d, --deinterlace[=string]
 Deinterlace video using FFmpeg yadif.
 Presets:
 skip-spatial
 bob
 Custom Format:
 mode=m:parity=p
 Default:
 mode=3
 --no-deinterlace Disable preset deinterlace filter
 --bwdif[=string] Deinterlace video using FFmpeg bwdif.
 Presets:
 bob
 Custom Format:
 mode=m:parity=p
 Default:
 mode=3
 --no-bwdif Disable preset bwdif deinterlace filter
 -5, --decomb[=string] Deinterlace video using a combination of yadif,
 blend, cubic, or EEDI2 interpolation.
 Presets:
 bob
 eedi2
 eedi2bob
 Custom Format:
 mode=m:magnitude-thresh=m:variance-thresh=v:
 laplacian-thresh=l:dilation-thresh=d:
 erosion-thresh=e:noise-thresh=n:
 search-distance=s:postproc=p:parity=p
 Default:
 mode=7
 --no-decomb Disable preset decomb filter
 -9, --detelecine[=string]
 Detelecine (ivtc) video with pullup filter
 Note: this filter drops duplicate frames to
 restore the pre-telecine framerate, unless you
 specify a constant framerate
 (--rate 29.97 --cfr)
 Custom Format:
 skip-left=s:skip-right=s:skip-top=s:
 skip-bottom=s:strict-breaks=s:plane=p:parity=p:
 disable=d
 Default:
 skip-left=1:skip-right=1:skip-top=4:
 skip-bottom=4:plane=0
 --no-detelecine Disable preset detelecine filter
 -8, --hqdn3d[=string] Denoise video with hqdn3d filter
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 Custom Format:
 y-spatial=y:cb-spatial=c:cr-spatial=c:
 y-temporal=y:cb-temporal=c:cr-temporal=c
 Default:
 y-spatial=3:cb-spatial=2:cr-spatial=2:
 y-temporal=2:cb-temporal=3:cr-temporal=3
 --no-hqdn3d Disable preset hqdn3d filter
 --denoise[=string] Legacy alias for '--hqdn3d'
 --nlmeans[=string] Denoise video with NLMeans filter
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 Custom Format:
 y-strength=y:y-origin-tune=y:y-patch-size=y:
 y-range=y:y-frame-count=y:y-prefilter=y:
 cb-strength=c:cb-origin-tune=c:cb-patch-size=c:
 cb-range=c:cb-frame-count=c:cb-prefilter=c:
 cr-strength=c:cr-origin-tune=c:cr-patch-size=c:
 cr-range=c:cr-frame-count=c:cr-prefilter=c:
 threads=t
 Default:
 y-strength=6:y-origin-tune=1:y-patch-size=7:
 y-range=3:y-frame-count=2:y-prefilter=0:
 cb-strength=6:cb-origin-tune=1:cb-patch-size=7:
 cb-range=3:cb-frame-count=2:cb-prefilter=0
 --no-nlmeans Disable preset NLMeans filter
 --nlmeans-tune <string> Tune NLMeans filter to content type
 Tunes:
 none
 film
 grain
 highmotion
 animation
 tape
 sprite
 Applies to NLMeans presets only (does not affect
 custom settings)
 --chroma-smooth[=string] Sharpen video with chroma smooth filter
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 stronger
 verystrong
 Custom Format:
 cb-strength=c:cb-size=c:cr-strength=c:cr-size=c
 Default:
 cb-strength=1.2:cb-size=7
 --no-chroma-smooth Disable preset chroma smooth filter
 --chroma-smooth-tune <string> Tune chroma smooth filter
 Tunes:
 none
 tiny
 small
 medium
 wide
 verywide
 Applies to chroma smooth presets only (does
 not affect custom settings)
 --unsharp[=string] Sharpen video with unsharp filter
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 stronger
 verystrong
 Custom Format:
 y-strength=y:y-size=y:cb-strength=c:cb-size=c:
 cr-strength=c:cr-size=c
 Default:
 y-strength=0.25:y-size=7:cb-strength=0.25:
 cb-size=7
 --no-unsharp Disable preset unsharp filter
 --unsharp-tune <string> Tune unsharp filter
 Tunes:
 none
 ultrafine
 fine
 medium
 coarse
 verycoarse
 Applies to unsharp presets only (does not affect
 custom settings)
 --lapsharp[=string] Sharpen video with lapsharp filter
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 stronger
 verystrong
 Custom Format:
 y-strength=y:y-kernel=y:cb-strength=c:
 cb-kernel=c:cr-strength=c:cr-kernel=c
 Default:
 y-strength=0.2:y-kernel=isolap:cb-strength=0.2:
 cb-kernel=isolap
 --no-lapsharp Disable preset lapsharp filter
 --lapsharp-tune <string>
 Tune lapsharp filter
 Tunes:
 none
 film
 grain
 animation
 sprite
 Applies to lapsharp presets only (does not affect
 custom settings)
 -7, --deblock[=string] Deblock video with avfilter deblock
 Presets:
 ultralight
 light
 medium
 strong
 stronger
 verystrong
 Custom Format:
 strength=s:thresh=t:blocksize=b:disable=d
 Default:
 strength=strong:thresh=20
 --no-deblock Disable preset deblock filter
 --deblock-tune <string>
 Tune deblock filter
 Tunes:
 small
 medium
 large
 Applies to deblock presets only (does not affect
 custom settings)
 --rotate[=string] Rotate image or flip its axes.
 angle rotates clockwise, can be one of:
 0, 90, 180, 270
 hflip=1 flips the image on the x axis (horizontally).
 Custom Format:
 angle=a:hflip=h:disable=d
 Default:
 angle=180:hflip=0
 --pad <string> Pad image with borders (e.g. letterbox).
 The padding color may be set (default black).
 Color may be an HTML color name or RGB value.
 The position of image in pad may also be set.
 Custom Format:
 width=w:height=h:color=c:x=x:y=y:top=t:bottom=b:
 left=l:right=r
 --colorspace <string> Convert colorspace, transfer characteristics or color primaries.
 Presets:
 bt2020
 bt709
 bt601-6-525
 bt601-6-625
 Custom Format:
 primaries=p:transfer=t:matrix=m:range=r:
 tonemap=t:param=p:desat=d:npl=n
 -g, --grayscale Grayscale encoding
 --no-grayscale Disable preset 'grayscale'


Subtitles Options ------------------------------------------------------------

 --subtitle-lang-list <string>
 Specify a comma separated list of subtitle
 languages you would like to select from the
 source title. By default, the first subtitle
 matching each language will be added to your
 output. Provide the language's ISO 639-2 code
 (e.g. fre, eng, spa, dut, et cetera)
 --all-subtitles Select all subtitle tracks matching languages in
 the specified language list
 (--subtitle-lang-list).
 Any language if list is not specified.
 --first-subtitle Select first subtitle track matching languages in
 the specified language list
 (--subtitle-lang-list).
 Any language if list is not specified.
 -s, --subtitle <string> Select subtitle track(s), separated by commas
 More than one output track can be used for one
 input. "none" for no subtitles.
 Example: "1,2,3" for multiple tracks.
 A special track name "scan" adds an extra first
 pass. This extra pass scans subtitles matching
 the language of the first audio or the language 
 selected by --native-language.
 The one that's only used 10 percent of the time
 or less is selected. This should locate subtitles
 for short foreign language segments. Best used in
 conjunction with --subtitle-forced.
 --keep-subname Passthru the source subtitle track(s) name(s).
 --no-keep-subname Disable the source subtitle track(s) name(s) passthru.
 -S, --subname <string> Set subtitle track name(s).
 Separate tracks by commas.
 -F, --subtitle-forced[=string]
 Only display subtitles from the selected stream
 if the subtitle has the forced flag set. The
 values in 'string' are indexes into the
 subtitle list specified with '--subtitle'.
 Separate tracks by commas.
 Example: "1,2,3" for multiple tracks.
 If "string" is omitted, the first track is
 forced.
 --subtitle-burned[=number, "native", or "none"]
 "Burn" the selected subtitle into the video
 track. If "subtitle" is omitted, the first
 track is burned. "subtitle" is an index into
 the subtitle list specified with '--subtitle'
 or "native" to burn the subtitle track that may
 be added by the 'native-language' option.
 --subtitle-default[=number or "none"]
 Flag the selected subtitle as the default
 subtitle to be displayed upon playback. Setting
 no default means no subtitle will be displayed
 automatically. 'number' is an index into the
 subtitle list specified with '--subtitle'.
 "none" may be used to override an automatically
 selected default subtitle track.
 -N, --native-language <string>
 Specify your language preference. When the first
 audio track does not match your native language
 then select the first subtitle that does. When
 used in conjunction with --native-dub the audio
 track is changed in preference to subtitles.
 Provide the language's ISO 639-2 code
 (e.g. fre, eng, spa, dut, et cetera)
 --native-dub Used in conjunction with --native-language
 requests that if no audio tracks are selected the
 default selected audio track will be the first
 one that matches the --native-language. If there
 are no matching audio tracks then the first
 matching subtitle track is used instead.
 --srt-file <string> SubRip SRT filename(s), separated by commas.
 --srt-codeset <string>
 Character codeset(s) that the SRT file(s) are
 encoded as, separated by commas.
 If not specified, 'latin1' is assumed.
 Command 'iconv -l' provides a list of valid codesets.
 --srt-offset <string> Offset (in milliseconds) to apply to the SRT
 file(s), separated by commas. If not specified,
 zero is assumed. Offsets may be negative.
 --srt-lang <string> SRT track language as an ISO 639-2 code
 (e.g. fre, eng, spa, dut, et cetera)
 If not specified, then 'und' is used.
 Separate by commas.
 --srt-default[=number]
 Flag the selected SRT as the default subtitle
 to be displayed during playback.
 Setting no default means no subtitle will be
 automatically displayed. If 'number' is omitted,
 the first SRT is the default.
 'number' is a 1-based index into the 'srt-file' list
 --srt-burn[=number] "Burn" the selected SRT subtitle into
 the video track.
 If 'number' is omitted, the first SRT is burned.
 'number' is a 1-based index into the 'srt-file' list
 --ssa-file <string> SubStationAlpha SSA filename(s), separated by
 commas.
 --ssa-offset <string> Offset (in milliseconds) to apply to the SSA
 file(s), separated by commas. If not specified,
 zero is assumed. Offsets may be negative.
 --ssa-lang <string> SSA track language as an ISO 639-2 code
 (e.g. fre, eng, spa, dut, et cetera)
 If not specified, then 'und' is used.
 Separate by commas.
 --ssa-default[=number]
 Flag the selected SSA as the default subtitle
 to be displayed during playback.
 Setting no default means no subtitle will be
 automatically displayed. If 'number' is omitted,
 the first SSA is the default.
 'number' is a 1-based index into the 'ssa-file' list
 --ssa-burn[=number] "Burn" the selected SSA subtitle into
 the video track.
 If 'number' is omitted, the first SSA is burned.
 'number' is a 1-based index into the 'ssa-file' list