Encoding
Choose the codec, resolutions and previews of a library, and re-encode existing videos after a change.
Every upload is encoded into the library's renditions: one copy of the video per resolution, in the library's codec. The player then picks the best rendition for each viewer's screen and connection.
Open the library's Encoding to see the choices you made when you created it. Encryption and watermarks are in Security → Content protection: see Security.
What each change does
Each setting is tagged with what happens when you change it:
| Tag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Applies to new uploads | New uploads use the new setting straight away. |
| Re-encode required | Existing videos keep their current renditions until you re-encode them. |
| Instant | Takes effect at once for every video, without re-encoding. |
Every setting saves as soon as you change it.
Codec
Applies to new uploads · Re-encode required
| Codec | When to use it |
|---|---|
| H.264 | Widest support: plays on every browser and device. The safe default. |
| H.265 | Smaller files, newer devices. Saves storage and bandwidth when your viewers have recent phones and computers. |
Resolutions
Applies to new uploads · Re-encode required
Choose the resolutions every video is encoded into, from 240p up to 1080p. Keep at least one resolution.
- More resolutions give viewers on slow connections a smooth picture, but use more encoding minutes and storage.
- OctaVideo never upscales: a 720p source isn't encoded to 1080p.
- A typical choice is 360p, 720p and 1080p.
Thumbnails & previews
Instant
- Suggest 4 thumbnail frames per video: frames you can pick from on each video's details page.
- Seek-bar preview sprites: small pictures shown while viewers move along the seek bar.
The estimate
Beside the settings, Estimate · updates live shows what one hour of video uses With these settings: the renditions, encoding output minutes and storage. It updates as you change the settings, so you can compare choices before you save them.
Encoding is counted in output minutes: each rendition counts separately, so three resolutions use about three times the minutes of one. See How billing works.
Re-encode existing videos
After you change the codec or resolutions, or the logo watermark in Security, Existing videos shows how many videos use older settings and what re-encoding them would use.
Select Re-encode with the number of videos.
The confirmation lists What this re-encode uses: the videos, the output minutes and about how long it takes. Select Re-encode to start.
The progress shows on the same card. Each video keeps playing its current renditions until its new ones are Ready.
What OctaVideo produces
For each video OctaVideo produces:
- the renditions, packaged for HLS and DASH streaming,
- a poster image and thumbnails,
- the encrypted segments, if the library uses encryption.
You never handle these files directly: the player loads them for you once the video is Ready.