Practical Approaches to Sustainable Streaming

In this article I'll expand on prior sustainability approaches, detail reasons to consider additional areas of power-consumption optimisation, and invite diverse stakeholders across streaming workflows to engage with Streaming Media magazine, GoS, and like-minded stakeholders in a mid- to late-2023 initiative around the LESS Accord, with an overall goal of readers recommending measurable best practices for consideration by September 2023.

The State of Video Codecs 2023

Welcome to your codec update for 2023. I'm here to help you decide whether it's time to go all in on AV1, VVC, LCEVC, or EVC or whether it's better to stick with H.264, VP9, and HEVC. Along the way, I'll include 2022-2023 updates to identify significant changes that have occurred since last year.

How to Script for FFmpeg Using PowerShell and BASH

FFmpeg was designed as a cross-platform solution for video and audio recording, conversion, and streaming using simple static command lines. Using variables and "for loops" in a command string simplifies the reuse of existing scripts and helps automate their operation. While you can't use these scripts in the Windows Command window, you can use Microsoft PowerShell in Windows and Bash on Linux and the Mac. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create and run such scripts with PowerShell and Bash.

Google Chrome Plays HEVC: What Does it Mean?

In late September, Google quietly let slip the news that it now offers playback support for HEVC in Chrome when it's already available in the underlying platform. This is bigger news than Google is letting on, but its immediate impact remains to be seen. We surveyed a number of experts and analysts to gauge its meaning for increased HEVC usage and more, and how it affects DRM and HDR.

Netflix's Andrey Norkin Talks Future of AV1

Streaming Learning Center's Jan Ozer interviews Netflix Senior Research Scientist - Video Algorithms and Alliance for Open Media co-chair Andrey Norkin about several topics around the future of AV1, including the necessity of HDR for premium content producers, Libaom's focus on SVT-AV1, and more.

AOMedia Delivers on SVT-AV1's Promise

With the recent launch of version 1.0, SVT-AV1 appears to have caught up with libaom in quality, with very definite performance advantages. Its two-pass rate control is tested and proven. If you're creating an AV1 encoding workflow today that emphasises encoding speed and quality, SVT-AV1 should definitely be on your short list.

Pros and Cons of On-Prem, Cloud, and Hybrid Workflows

Where you host your workflows can make all of the difference. Experts from Signiant, Warner Bros., TV 2, and CNN break down the pros and cons of on-prem, cloud, and hybrid.

How to Implement Low-Latency HLS (LL HLS)

Rather than focusing on random tasks, this tutorial will walk you through the fundamentals of encoding for low latency HLS with FFmpeg, OBS, Mux Video, and THEOplayer

How to Encode with FFmpeg 5.0

Rather than focusing on random tasks, this tutorial will walk you through the fundamentals of encoding with the latest version of FFmpeg, including I-frame intervals, bitrate control, two-pass encoding, and audio parameters.

Testing EVC, VVC, and LCEVC: How Do the Latest MPEG Codecs Stack Up?

Jan Ozer put EVC, VVC, and LCEVC through the paces, checking each for not only encoding quality, encoding complexity, and playback efficiency but also power consumption. Each one has its pros and cons; read on to find out how they all performed.

The State of Video Codecs 2022

With H.264 usage finally beginning to decline and several newer codecs ascendant, this 2022 codec update reports on the most significant announcements from the last year relating to H.264, VP9, HEVC, AV1, VVC, LCEVC, and EVC.

Buyers' Guide: Per-Title Encoding

In per-title encoding, an encoding service creates a unique encoding ladder for each video file. While available for live streaming, per-title encoding is most often utilized with video on demand.

The Algorithm Series: QUIC Ways to Stream

Will 2022 be the year UDP finally shows its streaming mettle? The Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) protocol might make the difference. First, though, OTT platforms need to make technical decisions about HTTP/3 that could further fragment the market.

The Past, Present, and Future of Per-Title Encoding

Video encoding began as a one-dimensional data rate adjustment that reflected the simple reality that all videos encode differently is now a complex analysis that incorporates frame rate, resolution, color gamut, and dynamic ranges, as well as delivery network and device-related data, along with video quality metrics.

Buyers' Guide to VOD Encoders

What's the best solution for your video on-demand encoding needs? That depends, but this guide will help you figure out which questions to ask.

How Does VVC Measure Up Right Now?

VVC today can be both useful and usable; let's hope that VVC IP owners can formulate a royalty policy that delivers the same.

8K: History Repeats Itself

With production challenge solved, smarter AI upscaling and enhanced codec technologies will enable 8K streaming to the home—inevitably.

Cutting Bitrates, Keeping Quality

In the COVID-19 era, the right approach can check both boxes, and decisions made in response to the current demand on bandwidth can have long-term business advantages for OTT services

How to Produce CMAF Output and Testing Playback

CMAF has reached maturity. Here's one way to go about using it, with AWS Elemental MediaConvert

How to Encode with LCEVC

Unlike other cutting-edge codecs coming to market, LCEVC will have an immediate impact on the streaming landscape. Here's how to use it.