There are provided methods and apparatus for enhanced performance in a multi-pass video encoder. An apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding a video bitstream. The apparatus further includes a video quality analyzer, in signal communication with the encoder, for performing a video quality analysis of the video bitstream for a given encoding pass to detect encoder compression artifacts in the video bitstream, and providing to the encoder information relating to the encoder compression artifacts to enable a re-encoding setup of the encoder to reduce an occurrence of the encoder compression artifacts in subsequent re-encoding passes. At least one of the video quality analysis and the re-encoding setup are automated.