feat(default values): applying a consistent naming convention for default RGB cameras video encoder parameters

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_tools.py

@@ -62,7 +62,12 @@ from .utils import (
     DEFAULT_EPISODES_PATH,
     update_chunk_file_indices,
 )
-from .video_utils import VideoEncoderConfig, encode_video_frames, get_video_info
+from .video_utils import (
+    VideoEncoderConfig,
+    camera_encoder_defaults,
+    encode_video_frames,
+    get_video_info,
+)
 
 
 def _load_episode_with_stats(src_dataset: LeRobotDataset, episode_idx: int) -> dict:
@@ -101,7 +106,8 @@ def delete_episodes(
         episode_indices: List of episode indices to delete.
         output_dir: Root directory where the edited dataset will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id. Equivalent to new_root in EditDatasetConfig.
         repo_id: Edited dataset identifier. Equivalent to new_repo_id in EditDatasetConfig.
-        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments (default: :class:`VideoEncoderConfig()`).
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
     """
     if not episode_indices:
         raise ValueError("No episodes to delete")
@@ -165,7 +171,8 @@ def split_dataset(
         splits: Either a dict mapping split names to episode indices, or a dict mapping
                 split names to fractions (must sum to <= 1.0).
         output_dir: Root directory where the split datasets will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id.
-        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments (default: :class:`VideoEncoderConfig()`).
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding video segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
 
     Examples:
       Split by specific episodes
@@ -598,10 +605,11 @@ def _keep_episodes_from_video_with_av(
             Ranges are half-open intervals: [start_frame, end_frame), where start_frame
             is inclusive and end_frame is exclusive.
         fps: Frame rate of the video.
-        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings (default: :class:`VideoEncoderConfig()`).
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
     """
     if camera_encoder_config is None:
-        camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
     from fractions import Fraction
 
     import av
@@ -705,13 +713,14 @@ def _copy_and_reindex_videos(
         src_dataset: Source dataset to copy from
         dst_meta: Destination metadata object
         episode_mapping: Mapping from old episode indices to new indices
-        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding segments (default: :class:`VideoEncoderConfig()`).
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings used when re-encoding segments
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
 
     Returns:
         dict mapping episode index to its video metadata (chunk_index, file_index, timestamps)
     """
     if camera_encoder_config is None:
-        camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
     if src_dataset.meta.episodes is None:
         src_dataset.meta.episodes = load_episodes(src_dataset.meta.root)
 
@@ -1654,7 +1663,8 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
         dataset: The source LeRobot dataset with images
         output_dir: Root directory where the edited dataset will be stored. If not specified, defaults to $HF_LEROBOT_HOME/repo_id. Equivalent to new_root in EditDatasetConfig.
         repo_id: Edited dataset identifier. Equivalent to new_repo_id in EditDatasetConfig.
-        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings (default: :class:`VideoEncoderConfig()`).
+        camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings
+            (``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`).
         episode_indices: List of episode indices to convert (None = all episodes)
         num_workers: Number of threads for parallel processing (default: 4)
         max_episodes_per_batch: Maximum episodes per video batch to avoid memory issues (None = no limit)
@@ -1664,7 +1674,7 @@ def convert_image_to_video_dataset(
         New LeRobotDataset with images encoded as videos
     """
     if camera_encoder_config is None:
-        camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
 
     # Check that it's an image dataset
     if len(dataset.meta.video_keys) > 0:

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_writer.py

@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ from .utils import (
 from .video_utils import (
     StreamingVideoEncoder,
     VideoEncoderConfig,
+    camera_encoder_defaults,
     concatenate_video_files,
     encode_video_frames,
     get_video_duration_in_s,
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
         self,
         meta: LeRobotDatasetMetadata,
         root: Path,
-        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None,
         encoder_threads: int | None,
         batch_encoding_size: int,
         streaming_encoder: StreamingVideoEncoder | None = None,
@@ -108,6 +109,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
                 settings, and episode persistence).
             root: Local dataset root directory.
             camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings applied to all cameras.
+                ``None`` uses :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`.
             encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
                 lets the codec decide.
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ class DatasetWriter:
         """
         self._meta = meta
         self._root = root
-        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config
+        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config or camera_encoder_defaults()
         self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         self._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
         self._streaming_encoder = streaming_encoder

src/lerobot/datasets/lerobot_dataset.py

@@ -178,8 +178,8 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             batch_encoding_size (int, optional): Number of episodes to accumulate before batch encoding videos.
                 Set to 1 for immediate encoding (default), or higher for batched encoding. Defaults to 1.
             camera_encoder_config (VideoEncoderConfig | None, optional): Video encoder settings for cameras
-                (codec, quality, etc.). Defaults to
-                :class:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.VideoEncoderConfig` defaults when ``None``.
+                (codec, quality, etc.). When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults`
+                is used by the writer.
             encoder_threads (int | None, optional): Number of encoder threads (global). ``None`` lets the
                 codec decide.
             streaming_encoding (bool, optional): If True, encode video frames in real-time during capture
@@ -204,9 +204,6 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         self._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend else get_safe_default_video_backend()
         self._return_uint8 = return_uint8
         self._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
-        if camera_encoder_config is None:
-            camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
-        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config
         self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         if self._requested_root is not None:
@@ -253,14 +250,14 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             if streaming_encoding and len(self.meta.video_keys) > 0:
                 streaming_enc = self._build_streaming_encoder(
                     self.meta.fps,
-                    self._camera_encoder_config,
+                    camera_encoder_config,
                     self._encoder_threads,
                     encoder_queue_maxsize,
                 )
             self.writer = DatasetWriter(
                 meta=self.meta,
                 root=self.root,
-                camera_encoder_config=self._camera_encoder_config,
+                camera_encoder_config=camera_encoder_config,
                 encoder_threads=self._encoder_threads,
                 batch_encoding_size=batch_encoding_size,
                 streaming_encoder=streaming_enc,
@@ -302,7 +299,7 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
     @staticmethod
     def _build_streaming_encoder(
         fps: int,
-        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig,
+        camera_encoder_config: VideoEncoderConfig | None,
         encoder_threads: int | None,
         encoder_queue_maxsize: int,
     ) -> StreamingVideoEncoder:
@@ -656,9 +653,8 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             video_backend: Video decoding backend (used when reading back).
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
                 batch-encoding videos. ``1`` means encode immediately.
-            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras; defaults
-                match :class:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.VideoEncoderConfig`
-                when ``None``.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras (codec, quality, etc.).
+                When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
             encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
                 lets the codec decide.
             metadata_buffer_size: Number of episode metadata records to buffer
@@ -671,8 +667,6 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         Returns:
             A new :class:`LeRobotDataset` in write mode.
         """
-        if camera_encoder_config is None:
-            camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
         obj = cls.__new__(cls)
         obj.meta = LeRobotDatasetMetadata.create(
             repo_id=repo_id,
@@ -696,7 +690,6 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
         obj._video_backend = video_backend if video_backend is not None else get_safe_default_video_backend()
         obj._return_uint8 = False
         obj._batch_encoding_size = batch_encoding_size
-        obj._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config
         obj._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
 
         # Reader is lazily created on first access (write-only mode)
@@ -761,9 +754,8 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             video_backend: Video decoding backend for reading back data.
             batch_encoding_size: Number of episodes to accumulate before
                 batch-encoding videos.
-            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras; defaults
-                match :class:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.VideoEncoderConfig`
-                when ``None``.
+            camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings for cameras (codec, quality, etc.).
+                When ``None``, :func:`~lerobot.datasets.video_utils.camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
             encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global). ``None``
                 lets the codec decide.
             image_writer_processes: Subprocesses for async image writing.
@@ -801,9 +793,6 @@ class LeRobotDataset(torch.utils.data.Dataset):
             obj.repo_id, obj._requested_root, obj.revision, force_cache_sync=force_cache_sync
         )
 
-        if camera_encoder_config is None:
-            camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
-        obj._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config
         obj._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         obj.root = obj.meta.root
 

src/lerobot/datasets/video_utils.py

@@ -116,11 +116,12 @@ class VideoEncoderConfig:
             check_video_encoder_config_pyav(self)
 
     def resolve_vcodec(self) -> None:
-        """Validate vcodec and resolve 'auto' to best available HW encoder, fallback to libsvtav1.
+        """Check ``vcodec`` and, when it is ``"auto"``, pick a concrete encoder.
 
-        Any explicitly-requested codec that isn't in the local FFmpeg build is
-        also silently rewritten to ``libsvtav1`` so encoding never hard-fails on
-        a host missing the requested encoder.
+        For ``"auto"``, the first hardware encoder in the preference list that FFmpeg
+        exposes is chosen; if none are available, ``libsvtav1`` is used. If the
+        resolved codec (explicit or after auto-selection) is not present in the
+        local FFmpeg build, raises ``ValueError``.
         """
         if self.vcodec not in VALID_VIDEO_CODECS:
             raise ValueError(f"Invalid vcodec '{self.vcodec}'. Must be one of: {sorted(VALID_VIDEO_CODECS)}")
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ class VideoEncoderConfig:
                     logger.info(f"Auto-selected video codec: {encoder}")
                     self.vcodec = encoder
                     return
-            logger.info("No hardware encoder available, falling back to software encoder 'libsvtav1'")
+            logger.warning("No hardware encoder available, falling back to software encoder 'libsvtav1'")
             self.vcodec = "libsvtav1"
 
         if self.detect_available_encoders(self.vcodec):
@@ -498,7 +499,7 @@ def encode_video_frames(
 ) -> None:
     """More info on ffmpeg arguments tuning on `benchmark/video/README.md`"""
     if camera_encoder_config is None:
-        camera_encoder_config = VideoEncoderConfig()
+        camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_defaults()
     vcodec = camera_encoder_config.vcodec
     pix_fmt = camera_encoder_config.pix_fmt
 
@@ -802,14 +803,14 @@ class StreamingVideoEncoder:
         Args:
             fps: Frames per second for the output videos.
             camera_encoder_config: Video encoder settings applied to all cameras.
-                When ``None``, :class:`VideoEncoderConfig` defaults are used.
+                When ``None``, :func:`camera_encoder_defaults` is used.
             encoder_threads: Number of encoder threads (global setting).
                 ``None`` lets the codec decide.
             queue_maxsize: Max frames to buffer per camera before
                 back-pressure drops frames.
         """
         self.fps = fps
-        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config or VideoEncoderConfig()
+        self._camera_encoder_config = camera_encoder_config or camera_encoder_defaults()
         self._encoder_threads = encoder_threads
         self.queue_maxsize = queue_maxsize