Suppose you are a video content IPTV provider and care about the quality of experience your users get on your platforms. You seek ways to enhance it, increasing the user retention rate. And we have an idea for you.
When watching videos, people want seamless playback without interruptions. They don’t want to be distracted from interesting shows and plots by sudden buffering and latency, which can take a while.
As a content provider, you can ensure the highest quality of a video possible based on factors such as a user’s device and network conditions. An IPTV transcoder can help you. Let’s explore it in detail.
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What is Transcoding?
Let’s back up a little bit. Before transcoding, you should create a video using a camera. First, you will have a RAW file that is too huge for delivery through the Internet. For this reason, it should go through the preparation for transmission processes.
The first one is encoding. An IPTV encoder compresses a video file so that it takes less storage space on a server. It also divides a video into small segments called chunks. They simplify the content delivery process.
After encoding, transcoding takes place. Transcoder makes a video suitable for playback on an end-user device. It creates plenty of copies in different sizes and bitrates, which helps adjust video quality to given conditions on the user side. This also helps you ensure adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR).
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming Explained
Adaptive bitrate streaming is an advanced technology that helps you ensure smooth playback regardless of users’ devices and network conditions. Multiple copies in different sizes and bitrates adjust the video quality during playback, providing minimal buffering.
For example, the user’s connection is unstable. Then, the video player will choose a lower-quality stream. When a connection is strong, the video quality will be higher. As a result, the video keeps playing regardless of the network situation.
ABR assists content providers in improving the quality of experience viewers receive on their platforms. The video will be optimized based on available bandwidth, providing uninterrupted playback.
Furthermore, it becomes possible to meet the requirements of various network conditions, which means that streaming platforms can reach more people. You will have more satisfied viewers who will probably stay on your platform longer.
Processes Related to Transcoding
One of the critical processes of transcoding is transmuxing, which is changing the container format. For example, you have an mp4 file and convert it into a ts format.
Transrating is another significant process of changing the video bitrate without adjusting the resolution or framerate. For example, you change a 4K video at 13 Mbps to an HD stream at 6 Mbps, 3 Mbps, or 600 kbps, and so on.
Why is Video Transcoding Critical?
Video transcoding ensures the following:
- Buffer-free streaming. It empowers adaptive bitrate streaming by creating multiple copies of the same video in various bitrates and sizes. The rendition can be adjusted to available bandwidth during playback.
- Lower storage requirements. Compressing allows for reducing the storage requirements, which also leads to using less battery power.
- Video playback on all devices. Different devices have different requirements for video playback. Transcoding helps meet them.
- Lower costs on CDN. Smaller-sized videos ensure lower CDN costs.
Transcoding is vital for adaptive bitrate streaming, which helps you provide the best experience possible to plenty of viewers. Since companies create new devices with their own technical requirements, streaming platforms might face challenges in video delivery. For this reason, transcoding is essential.
Final Thoughts
Content delivery can be challenging for video streaming platforms since users utilize various devices with different network conditions. To ensure the highest quality of experience, they need to develop new solutions. And here, transcoding is a helping hand. It creates multiple copies of the same video in diverse sizes and bitrates to meet the technical requirements on the user side.
Also, Read Mastering App Development: A Comprehensive Guide.
