What is the difference between transcode and encode

The terminology surrounding video encoding processes can be confusing, especially since it is often used incorrectly. The distinction is subtle but important, especially for streaming. Ideally, all viewers of a stream will be able to enjoy the same uninterrupted experience. This is not possible without a transcoder because viewers use different viewing platforms that support different file formats. Streaming content in only one format excludes viewers whose device or browser does not support that format.

Transcoding converts less common video file types into more broadly used formats or offers streaming in multiple formats to include the largest number of viewers possible. The difference between encoding and decoding is much more straightforward.

Decoding is essentially the reverse of encoding. Raw video data is required for editing processes and for viewing of the raw video. Niagara Video offers a full line of high-performance encoders and transcoders, including all-in-one units and portable options. For ultimate flexibility, Niagara also offers a range of portable encoding and transcoding options.

Our most compact options come from the GoStream Mini line, all of which are feature-rich, lightweight, and energy-efficient for optimal performance on-the-go.

Finally, at half the size of a rackmount encoder, the series encoder is designed to balance portability with quality. However, there are many factors involved in selecting the right system for your needs. The first question to ask is whether the encoder needs to be portable or highly compact. If this is the case, the GoStream or GoStream Mini lines pack reliable performance into a small chassis. Some factors that might help you choose between rack-mounted option s include:.

Niagara Video proudly serves some of the largest network broadcasting clients in the world alongside smaller venues. For more information about our video encoding, transcoding, and decoding products, please contact Niagara Video today. Toggle navigation. Click below to speak with an expert today! ProMAX vs. Editshare ProMAX vs. What is the difference between transcoding and encoding? Now for how they are subtlety different.

Topics: Video editing. Recent Topics Archive. In essence, when you compress a video, you are throwing away some information while ensuring that the video quality is not destroyed. This is called the rate-distortion tradeoff in video compression.

The smaller the bitrate, the poorer the video quality — assuming that the resolution, bit-depth, and chroma-subsampling, encoding time, hardware, etc. This fact is illustrated in the screengrabs from the CrowdRun sequence encoded using H. The stream with the lower bitrate has poorer video quality than the video with the higher bitrate. This illustrates the point that we made earlier regarding the rate-distortion tradeoff. However, it would be wrong to make a blanket statement that lower bitrate implies poorer quality.

There are so many factors that go into video encoding and transcoding and most of them are affect each other. Not all videos are created equal! Every video is unique and has a flavor to it and this is what makes video compression an art. The settings or tuning that goes into compressing high-action NFL video is different from what one would use to compress cartoon video like the Simpsons — agree?

There are so many different kinds of scenes that set movies apart, and engineers can better compress videos. If you know that the movie contains only flat regions like a cartoon, you can assign a lower bitrate than a high-action sports clip like the one shown below.

Every codec has a specific goal when it is designed. It might be to achieve higher performance than the previous generation, or be royalty-free, or introduce a new method of compression like LCEVC has done.

And, because every codec is differently designed and optimized, their performance is bound to be different too. For example, AV1 achieves a much greater compression efficiency than H. And, this is okay! It just comes down to your needs and resources. To learn more about video compression and codecs, please take a look at the following articles —. For a simple explanation of video codecs, please read our intuitive guide to video codecs. The rate control technique used in a codec has a tremendous impact on its compression efficiency, video quality, and speed.

Below are three popular rate control algorithms. A deep discussion of the three is impossible in this overview article, but stay tuned for a deep dive into rate control. Video Bitrate or simply, Bitrate is the number of bits of video information transmitted per second.