Cloud Video Transcoding

Video transcoding is defined as the process of converting a video file from one format and codec to another. Codecs (short for CODer/DECoder) compress media files using complex algorithms that remove redundancies, both within frames as well as across consecutive frames.

Video compression is generally considered computationally intensive process, so it requires a lot of resources to convert a large number of files with unpredictable usage spikes. Qencode uses advanced processing techniques and economies of scale to efficiently and reliably convert video files via their developer friendly API.

On average, transcoding a video takes about 10 minutes for each 10 minutes of video duration, however with Qencode you can often transcode an SD video in 1 minute.

The purpose of transcoding is to improve video delivery, playback, storage and device support, by encoding videos into certain formats or codecs. This allows your content to reach more devices, get delivered faster, and create a wonderful viewing experiences for all of your users. For example, you can transcode a 4K video from a single stream that was originally 16 Mbps, into an adaptive streaming format with 8 resolutions, the highest of which has only 7 Mbps.

Using methods like Per-Title Encoding, you can compress a large number of videos without any perceivable loss in video quality. Since, encoding media at scale can be computationally intensive and highly irregular, using an on-demand cloud API allows you to build scalable video applications with ease.

This is done by leveraging economies of scale and a wide range of features, including thumbnails, subtitles, encryption, watermarks and hundreds of other custom parameters.

The difference between video encoding and transcoding is that video encoding is the process of taking a raw video file and converting it into the desired format and codec, while transcoding is taking a video that has already been encoded, and converting it into another format and codec.

Both encoding and transcoding can compress video files into specialized formats compatible with common digital delivery methods online. Both processes can also be used to standardize your video outputs, reduce file size and increase playback compatibility.

New media formats and codecs are constantly being developed to improve the results of video compression, as well as processing speed and playback performance.

Properly configuring codecs so that they adhere to standard protocols can also yield improvements in buffering reduction and playback failure.

Qencode's VOD API stays on top of the latest updates in video technology and continuously updates existing features to enhance performance and customization. Most workflows are preconfigured to make it easier to launch an encoding task than ever before.

A question many people have is, "Does transcoding reduce video quality?". Whether or not transcoding reduces video quality depends on the type of codec that is used to convert a video file.

For example, if you use a lossless video codec, the transcoding process will not reduce the video quality at all.

However, if you transcode using a lossy video codec, some file data and visual quality may be lost, even though it can sometimes be difficult to perceive this with the human eye. Your choice of lossless or lossy will depend on whether you need the video to be used for advanced editing or playback success.