multi-device encoding recommendations
DESCRIPTION
Practical video encoding tips for hitting the broadest range of Internet connected devices with an optimized array of H.264 encoding profiles.TRANSCRIPT
Multi-Device Encoding RecommendationsH.264 Profiles and Device Support
Consumers demand video on all of their devices, but it can be challenging to encode outputs targeted to the various screen sizes, operating systems, and generations of gadgets. This is partially because older devices have less processing power, and thus can’t crunch complex video profiles, like H.264 High.
This chart shows the three H.264 profiles in ascending order of complexity, and the corresponding devices and video formats that are supported with those profiles. Devices that are struck-through are not supported. As the video profiles get more complex, video quality increases, but you reach fewer devices.
H.264 Profiles TargetsTargets
BaselineH.264 Baseline Profile LC, Level 3.0640x480 or smallerUp to 1.5 Mbps, 30fpsAAC-LC, 128 kbps, stereo, 44100 HzMP4 format
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+
AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
MainH.264 Main Profile, Level 3.1720p or smallerUp to 5 Mbps, 30fpsAAC, stereo, 48000 HzMP4 format
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+
AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
HighH.264 High Profile, Level 4.01080p or smallerUp to 30fpsAAC, stereo, 48000 HzMP4 format
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+
Android (some)Blackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
Optimized Encoding Mix
This mix of H.264 profiles, resolutions, and bitrates lets you reach a broad range of devices, while maximizing video quality across devices.
Transmux video into these three formats to hit all target device: MP4, Smooth Streaming, HTTP Live Streaming.
Notes:• Bitrate requirements vary widely depending on content type (complex or simple); these
recommendations are just a starting points. • All video should have AAC audio, 1-2 channels.• All video should use frame rate of 30 fps or less.• Low-bitrate audio should be used for iOS (56kbps HE-AAC stereo). The Roku device
only supports AAC-LC, so two audio outputs may be required.
Resolution Profile Bitrate Targets
1080p [email protected] 4 Mbps Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
720p [email protected] 2.5 Mbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
480p [email protected] 1.6 Mbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
320p [email protected] 1 Mbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
480x320 [email protected] ref frame
600 Kbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360
400x288 [email protected] ref frame
400 Kbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360400x288 [email protected]
1 ref frame250 Kbps
Flash (web)HTML 5 (MP4)HTML 5 (WebM)iPad 1-2iPad 3iPhone 1-3GSiPhone 4+AndroidBlackberry (newer)Blackberry (older)DesktopRokuPlaystation 3Xbox 360