diff --git a/audio_splitter/core.py b/audio_splitter/core.py
index 08a4a12..2f49e3f 100644
--- a/audio_splitter/core.py
+++ b/audio_splitter/core.py
@@ -194,6 +194,9 @@ def split_audio(input_file: str, output_directory: str, tracks: List[Dict[str, A
             subtitle_codec=args.subtitle_codec,
             metadata=metadata,
             cover_image_path=cover_image_path,
+            video_quality=getattr(args, 'video_quality', None),
+            drop_video=args.drop_video,
+            drop_subs=args.drop_subs,
         )
 
         print(cmd)
diff --git a/audio_splitter/ffmpeg.py b/audio_splitter/ffmpeg.py
index 76b6463..b5119b4 100644
--- a/audio_splitter/ffmpeg.py
+++ b/audio_splitter/ffmpeg.py
@@ -281,30 +281,49 @@ def build_ffmpeg_command(
     subtitle_codec: Optional[str] = 'copy',
     metadata: Optional[Dict] = None,
     cover_image_path: Optional[str] = None,
+    video_quality: Optional[int] = None,
+    drop_video: bool = False,
+    drop_subs: bool = False,
 ) -> List[str]:
     """
-    Construct the FFmpeg command line.
+    Construct the FFmpeg command line as a list of arguments.
 
     Args:
-        audio_codec: 'copy' or encoder name (e.g., 'libopus')
-        video_codec: 'copy' or encoder name (e.g., 'libx264')
-        subtitle_codec: 'copy' or encoder name (e.g., 'srt')
+        input_file: Path to the input media file.
+        start_seconds: Start time for the segment (in seconds).
+        duration_seconds: Duration of the segment (in seconds).
+        output_path: Destination path for the output file.
+        stream_info: Dictionary from get_stream_info().
+        format_opt: Output container format (e.g., 'mp3', 'mkv').
+        audio_codec: Audio codec to use ('copy' or encoder name like 'libopus').
+        video_codec: Video codec to use ('copy' or encoder name).
+        subtitle_codec: Subtitle codec to use ('copy' or encoder name).
+        metadata: Optional dict of metadata key/value pairs to write.
+        cover_image_path: Path to extracted cover image (if any).
+        video_quality: Quality value for video encoder (e.g., 1-31, lower=better).
+        drop_video: If True, remove video streams.
+        drop_subs: If True, remove subtitle streams.
+
+    Returns:
+        A list of command‑line arguments suitable for subprocess.run().
     """
     cmd = ['ffmpeg']
 
-    # Add cover image if provided
+    # Add cover image as first input if provided
     if cover_image_path:
         cmd.extend(['-i', cover_image_path])
+
+    # Add main input file
     cmd.extend(['-i', input_file])
 
     # Time options
     cmd.extend(['-ss', format_time(start_seconds), '-t', format_time(duration_seconds)])
 
-    # Clear metadata
+    # Clear all original metadata.
     cmd.append('-map_metadata')
     cmd.append('-1')
 
-    # Apply custom metadata
+    # Apply custom metadata.
     if metadata:
         for key, value in metadata.items():
             if value is not None and value != '':
@@ -328,15 +347,22 @@ def build_ffmpeg_command(
         else:
             cmd.extend(['-c:a', 'copy'])
 
-        # Subtitle: none (we don't copy from original when using cover image)
+        # Subtitle: we don't copy subtitles when using cover image (they would be from main input)
         cmd.append('-sn')
 
+        # Video quality if specified
+        if video_quality is not None:
+            cmd.extend(['-q:v', str(video_quality)])
+
     else:
-        # Standard mapping: copy all streams by default, then filter based on options
-        if not stream_info.get('has_video') or drop_video:
+        # Standard mapping (no cover image)
+        if drop_video and drop_subs:
             cmd.extend(['-map', '0:a:0'])
+        elif drop_video:
+            cmd.extend(['-map', '0:a:0', '-map', '0:s?'])
+        elif drop_subs:
+            cmd.extend(['-map', '0:a:0', '-map', '0:v:0'])
         else:
-            # Map all streams
             cmd.extend(['-map', '0'])
 
         # Audio codec
@@ -345,17 +371,20 @@ def build_ffmpeg_command(
         else:
             cmd.extend(['-c:a', 'copy'])
 
-        # Video codec (if video present and not dropped)
-        if stream_info.get('has_video') and not drop_video:
+        # Video codec
+        if not drop_video and stream_info.get('has_video'):
             if video_codec and video_codec != 'copy':
                 cmd.extend(['-c:v', video_codec])
+                # Add video quality if specified (only when re-encoding)
+                if video_quality is not None:
+                    cmd.extend(['-q:v', str(video_quality)])
             else:
                 cmd.extend(['-c:v', 'copy'])
         else:
             cmd.append('-vn')
 
         # Subtitle codec
-        if stream_info.get('has_subtitle') and not drop_subs:
+        if not drop_subs and stream_info.get('has_subtitle'):
             if subtitle_codec and subtitle_codec != 'copy':
                 cmd.extend(['-c:s', subtitle_codec])
             else:
diff --git a/audio_splitter/main.py b/audio_splitter/main.py
index 9d8cd39..070be8f 100644
--- a/audio_splitter/main.py
+++ b/audio_splitter/main.py
@@ -60,6 +60,13 @@ def main():
                         help="Drop video streams")
     parser.add_argument('--drop-subs', action='store_true', default=DEFAULT_DROP_SUBS,
                         help="Drop subtitle streams")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--video-quality', '-vq',
+        type=int,
+        default=None,
+        help="Video quality (integer, encoder-specific; usually 1-31, lower=better). "
+             "If omitted, FFmpeg default is used."
+    )
 
     # Filename options
     parser.add_argument('--number-tracks', action='store_true', default=DEFAULT_NUMBER_TRACKS,