diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 010dd87d..c3cabb2b 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ src_libdaalabase_la_SOURCES = \
 	src/generic_code.c \
 	src/generic_decoder.c \
 	src/info.c \
+	src/infoutils.c \
 	src/intra.c \
 	src/laplace_decoder.c \
 	src/laplace_tables.c \
diff --git a/examples/encoder_example.c b/examples/encoder_example.c
index 3085fd1b..fbedd9e7 100644
--- a/examples/encoder_example.c
+++ b/examples/encoder_example.c
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ struct av_input{
   int video_cur_img;
   int video_depth;
   int video_swapendian;
+  int daala_pix_fmt_code;
 };
 
 #define SWAP(a, b)  do {a ^= b; b ^= a; a ^= b;} while(0)
@@ -369,6 +370,7 @@ static void id_y4m_file(av_input *avin, const char *file, FILE *test) {
      avin->video_chroma_type);
     exit(1);
   }
+  avin->daala_pix_fmt_code = daala_lookup_pix_fmt(avin->video_chroma_type);
   img = &avin->video_img;
   img->nplanes = avin->video_nplanes;
   img->width = avin->video_pic_w;
@@ -855,6 +857,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   di.nplanes = avin.video_nplanes;
   memcpy(di.plane_info, avin.video_plane_info,
    di.nplanes*sizeof(*di.plane_info));
+  di.pix_fmt_code = avin.daala_pix_fmt_code;
   di.keyframe_rate = video_keyframe_rate;
   /*TODO: Other crap.*/
   dd = daala_encode_create(&di);
diff --git a/include/daala/codec.h b/include/daala/codec.h
index 4ac8b75d..36c9521c 100644
--- a/include/daala/codec.h
+++ b/include/daala/codec.h
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ struct daala_plane_info {
 
 /** Configuration parameters for a codec instance. */
 struct daala_info {
+  unsigned char pix_fmt_code;
   unsigned char version_major;
   unsigned char version_minor;
   unsigned char version_sub;
diff --git a/include/daala/daalaenc.h b/include/daala/daalaenc.h
index 4ad4ccc1..1fe8fe17 100644
--- a/include/daala/daalaenc.h
+++ b/include/daala/daalaenc.h
@@ -140,6 +140,14 @@ int daala_encode_packet_out(daala_enc_ctx *enc,
 /**Frees an allocated encoder instance.
  * \param enc A #daala_enc_ctx handle.*/
 void daala_encode_free(daala_enc_ctx *enc);
+/**Sets the info details (bit depth code, x/y dec, planes, etc.) from
+ * a pixel format code
+ * \retval 0 Success
+ * \retval 1 Error, pixel format code is invalid **/
+int daala_set_pix_info(daala_info *info, unsigned char code);
+/**Takes a string and outputs a pixel format code
+ * \retval 255 Error, pixel format is invalid **/
+unsigned char daala_lookup_pix_fmt(const char *name);
 /*@}*/
 
 /** \defgroup encctlcodes Configuration keys for the encoder ctl interface.
diff --git a/src/infodec.c b/src/infodec.c
index 20a9a467..60291ae7 100644
--- a/src/infodec.c
+++ b/src/infodec.c
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ int daala_decode_header_in(daala_info *info,
     /*Codec info header.*/
     case 0x80:
     {
-      int pli;
       uint32_t tmp;
       int tmpi;
       /*This should be the first packet, and we should not have already read
@@ -175,23 +174,8 @@ int daala_decode_header_in(daala_info *info,
       tmpi = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
       if (tmpi < 0 || tmpi >= 32) return OD_EBADHEADER;
       info->keyframe_granule_shift = tmpi;
-      info->bitdepth_mode = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
-      if (info->bitdepth_mode < OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_8
-       || info->bitdepth_mode > OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_12) {
-        return OD_EBADHEADER;
-      }
-      info->nplanes = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
-      if ((info->nplanes < 1) || (info->nplanes > OD_NPLANES_MAX)) {
-        return OD_EBADHEADER;
-      }
-      for (pli = 0; pli < info->nplanes; pli++) {
-        tmpi = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
-        if (tmpi < 0) return OD_EBADHEADER;
-        info->plane_info[pli].xdec = !!tmpi;
-        tmpi = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
-        if (tmpi < 0) return OD_EBADHEADER;
-        info->plane_info[pli].ydec = !!tmpi;
-      }
+      info->pix_fmt_code = oggbyte_read1(&obb);
+      if (daala_set_pix_info(info, info->pix_fmt_code)) return OD_EBADHEADER;
       return 2;
     }
     case 0x81:
diff --git a/src/infoenc.c b/src/infoenc.c
index 432c82d5..7d7104f2 100644
--- a/src/infoenc.c
+++ b/src/infoenc.c
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ int daala_encode_flush_header(daala_enc_ctx *_enc, daala_comment *_dc,
   switch (_enc->packet_state) {
     case OD_PACKET_INFO_HDR:
     {
-      int pli;
       oggbyte_reset(&_enc->obb);
       oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, 0x80);
       oggbyte_writecopy(&_enc->obb, "daala", 5);
@@ -54,15 +53,7 @@ int daala_encode_flush_header(daala_enc_ctx *_enc, daala_comment *_dc,
       oggbyte_write4(&_enc->obb, info->frame_duration);
       OD_ASSERT(info->keyframe_granule_shift < 32);
       oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->keyframe_granule_shift);
-      OD_ASSERT(info->bitdepth_mode >= OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_8
-       && info->bitdepth_mode <= OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_12);
-      oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->bitdepth_mode);
-      OD_ASSERT((info->nplanes >= 1) && (info->nplanes <= OD_NPLANES_MAX));
-      oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->nplanes);
-      for (pli = 0; pli < info->nplanes; ++pli) {
-        oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->plane_info[pli].xdec);
-        oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->plane_info[pli].ydec);
-      }
+      oggbyte_write1(&_enc->obb, info->pix_fmt_code);
       _op->b_o_s = 1;
     }
     break;
diff --git a/src/infoutils.c b/src/infoutils.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..635e41ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/infoutils.c
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/*Daala video codec
+Copyright (c) 2006-2010 Daala project contributors.  All rights reserved.
+
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+- Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+  list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+
+- Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+  this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+  and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
+FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
+SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
+CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.*/
+
+#include <string.h>
+#include "encint.h"
+
+#define DAALA_PIX_FMT_NUM 20
+
+struct daala_pix_fmt {
+  const char *name;
+  int bitdepth;
+  int nplanes;
+  int xdec[4];
+  int ydec[4];
+};
+
+static const struct daala_pix_fmt pix_fmt_list[DAALA_PIX_FMT_NUM] = {
+  { "444",        8, 3, {0, 0, 0},    {0, 0, 0}    },
+  { "444p10",    10, 3, {0, 0, 0},    {0, 0, 0}    },
+  { "444p12",    12, 3, {0, 0, 0},    {0, 0, 0}    },
+  { "444p14",    14, 3, {0, 0, 0},    {0, 0, 0}    },
+  { "444p16",    16, 3, {0, 0, 0},    {0, 0, 0}    },
+  { "444alpha",   8, 4, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0} },
+  { "422",        8, 3, {0, 1, 0},    {0, 1, 0}    },
+  { "422p10",    10, 3, {0, 1, 0},    {0, 1, 0}    },
+  { "422p12",    12, 3, {0, 1, 0},    {0, 1, 0}    },
+  { "422p14",    14, 3, {0, 1, 0},    {0, 1, 0}    },
+  { "422p16",    16, 3, {0, 1, 0},    {0, 1, 0}    },
+  { "411",        8, 3, {0, 2, 0},    {0, 2, 0}    },
+  { "420",        8, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420jpeg",    8, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420mpeg2",   8, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420paldv",   8, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420p10",    10, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420p12",    12, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420p14",    14, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+  { "420p16",    16, 3, {0, 1, 1},    {0, 1, 1}    },
+};
+
+static int daala_lookup_bitdepth_code(int bitdepth)
+{
+  if (bitdepth == 8)
+    return OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_8;
+  else if (bitdepth == 10)
+    return OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_10;
+  else
+    return OD_BITDEPTH_MODE_12;
+}
+
+/* Set format from a code */
+int daala_set_pix_info(daala_info *info, unsigned char code)
+{
+  int i;
+  if (code < 0 || code > DAALA_PIX_FMT_NUM)
+    return 1;
+  info->bitdepth_mode = daala_lookup_bitdepth_code(pix_fmt_list[code].bitdepth);
+  info->nplanes = pix_fmt_list[code].nplanes;
+  for (i = 0; i < info->nplanes; ++i) {
+    info->plane_info[i].xdec = pix_fmt_list[code].xdec[i];
+    info->plane_info[i].ydec = pix_fmt_list[code].ydec[i];
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+/* Look up name and set info, used by the encoder */
+unsigned char daala_lookup_pix_fmt(const char *name)
+{
+  int i;
+  for (i = 0; i < DAALA_PIX_FMT_NUM; i++) {
+    if (!strncmp(pix_fmt_list[i].name, name, strlen(name))) {
+      return i;
+    }
+  }
+  return 255;
+}