What is Transcoding? The Role of Transcoding in Video and Livestreams

What is Transcoding?

Transcoding is the process of encoding and converting media files, enabling the transformation of video and audio content from one format to another on a cloud-based platform. With support for over 99% of input formats, transcoding ensures that nearly all media files can be easily and efficiently converted. The transcoding system is fully automated, processing user requests without the need for manual intervention, thus saving time and effort.

Types of Transcoding

Live Stream Transcoding:

Live Stream Transcoding refers to the real-time conversion of video and audio content. This service utilizes the RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) for input, allowing for continuous and rapid transmission of video and audio data. The system supports a developer-friendly REST API, facilitating easy integration into other applications and services. Additionally, if a surge in audience traffic causes system overloads, businesses can integrate a Content Delivery Network (CDN) solution to handle the increased load and meet user demand.

VoD Transcoding (Video on Demand):

VoD Transcoding focuses on converting pre-recorded video and audio files into multiple output formats to meet the requirements of various playback platforms. This service offers additional features such as subtitle provisioning for viewers, multi-language support, and automated conversion and upload to the client's storage system, saving time and effort. Notably, VoD Transcoding allows format changes without altering the video codec, maintaining the quality and consistency of the content being played back.

Transcoding is a crucial process in digital content management and distribution, particularly for video. It plays a vital role in ensuring that content can be played on various platforms and devices, optimizing the quality of user experience, and minimizing bandwidth and storage costs.

Video Encoding and Quality Optimization:

Transcoding enables the conversion of video from one format to another, ensuring that the video content's display quality is optimized for different types of devices and network bandwidths. This is especially important for streaming, where videos need to be compressed and re-encoded to reduce file size without compromising quality. Transcoding also optimizes videos for various devices, from smartphones to tablets and smart TVs.

Cross-Platform Support:

Transcoding converts video into multiple resolutions, such as 240p, 360p, 720p, and 1080p, ensuring that videos can be played on different devices, providing an optimal viewing experience for users. Different platforms and devices require different formats and specifications (such as resolution, frame rate, and codec). By optimizing video for each type of device, transcoding ensures a smooth and high-quality experience for viewers, regardless of the device they use. For instance, a video may need to be converted from MP4 to WebM format for playback on specific web browsers or downscaled from 4K to 1080p resolution for compatibility with mobile devices with limited bandwidth.

According to Cisco, video is expected to account for 82% of global internet traffic by 2022. To meet this demand, streaming services must utilize transcoding to ensure content can be played smoothly on various devices and network connections.

File Size Reduction:

Transcoding helps reduce the size of video files without significantly degrading quality. This is particularly useful for saving storage space and bandwidth, which is especially important for streaming services and high-traffic websites. For example, an original video with high resolution and bitrate can be converted into smaller versions with lower bitrate to save bandwidth during streaming.

Enhancing User Experience:

By providing video versions tailored to different devices and network conditions, transcoding ensures that users can watch videos smoothly without interruptions. This is particularly crucial for streaming services and online learning platforms, where user experience is a key factor.

According to research by Limelight Networks, a video load time delay of more than 2 seconds can cause 50% of users to abandon the website. This highlights the importance of transcoding in ensuring fast load times and seamless viewing experiences without compromising quality, significantly saving bandwidth and storage space.

With VNETWORK's Transcoding solution, businesses can easily convert and encode their media files into various formats and resolutions. Our transcoding solution supports over 99% of input formats, from HD video to 4K, ensuring that your content can be played seamlessly and with high quality across all devices and platforms.

Key Features of VNETWORK’s Transcoding System:

Automated Process: The transcoding system is fully automated, processing business requests quickly and accurately. Businesses don’t have to worry about format conversion or adjusting settings; everything is optimized to meet their needs.

Support for Multiple Formats and Resolutions: VNETWORK’s service allows businesses to encode media content into various formats, from popular formats like MP4 and AVI to more specialized ones. The transcoding solution also supports different resolutions such as 240p, 360p, 720p, and 1080p, ensuring that your videos always deliver optimal quality for viewers.

Support for New Standards and Codecs: Transcoding plays a crucial role in updating and supporting new standards and codecs. As new video and audio compression technologies (like H.265/HEVC, AV1) emerge, older content may need to be converted to new formats to take advantage of the quality and performance benefits these codecs offer. A report from Bitmovin indicates that H.265/HEVC can reduce video file size by up to 50% compared to H.264.

Live Stream Transcoding and VoD Transcoding Features: VNETWORK provides both types of media conversion. With Live Stream Transcoding, businesses can broadcast live video with high quality, supporting RTMP protocol and developer-friendly API integration. For VoD Transcoding, VNETWORK offers features like multi-output format support, multi-language subtitles, and automation of the conversion and upload process to the business’s storage system.

Benefits for Businesses Using VNETWORK’s Transcoding Solution:

24/7 Support from Experienced Experts: VNETWORK’s transcoding service provides prompt and timely support, ensuring businesses feel secure during use. Our support team is available 24/7, ensuring that all technical issues are handled quickly and accurately.

Ease of Use: VNETWORK’s transcoding service is not only highly effective but also very easy to use. Businesses need to set up transcoding once to automate via API or customize via Portal as desired. Use pre-configured transcoding settings and receive notifications about the status of the transcoding process, making it easy for businesses to manage and track progress. Furthermore, our service allows for the creation and delivery of segment files and playlists compatible with devices via HLS, Smooth, or MPEG-DASH protocols, ensuring that your content is always ready and running smoothly on all platforms.

Fast and Easy Transcoding: VNETWORK’s transcoding service is equipped with modern GPU technology and graphics cards, accelerating the transcoding process with high performance. Thanks to this advanced technology, the transcoding process is fast, optimizing image and sound quality to deliver the best experience for users. With robust infrastructure and modern technology, VNETWORK ensures that your content is processed quickly and achieves optimal quality, serving the diverse needs of businesses in the media and entertainment sectors.

Time and Cost Savings: VNETWORK’s transcoding service offers many outstanding benefits, helping businesses save time and costs effectively. With compatibility across multiple devices and reduced bandwidth and storage costs through compression technology and optimized profiles, our service ensures that your videos are efficiently encoded, significantly saving costs. VNETWORK's strong infrastructure and superior technology help the transcoding process to be faster, delivering high performance for businesses. VNETWORK supports unlimited transcoding, allowing businesses to handle a large volume of content without any limitations. Additionally, VNETWORK’s service offers flexible payment options, allowing businesses to choose between hourly or monthly payment plans, easily managing costs and fitting within their budget, providing the best experience for customers and helping businesses optimize operations and increase work efficiency.

Transcoding is an essential process in modern digital content management and distribution. With the ability to optimize video for multiple platforms, reduce file size, improve user experience, and support new standards, transcoding plays a crucial role in ensuring that video content is delivered efficiently and consistently. With VNETWORK’s transcoding service, businesses will experience a significant difference in how video and audio content is optimized and distributed. For consultation and to experience our services, please contact VNCDN via the hotline: (028) 7306 8789 or email: contact@vnetwork.vn.