In today’s video-first world, streaming has become the dominant form of content consumption. Whether it is a short clip on your phone or a full-length film on a smart TV, what enables smooth playback and high-quality visuals is a process that works entirely behind the scenes. That process is encoding. In this first part of the Streaming Basics series, we explore how encoding transforms raw video into a format that can be streamed efficiently and why it is a foundational part of digital media delivery.
What is Encoding?
Encoding is the process of compressing and converting raw video into a digital format that can be transmitted over the internet and played back on various devices. Raw video files captured by cameras are large, uncompressed, and not ready for distribution. They are the equivalent of rough, unedited material. Encoding acts like a refinery that processes this bulky data into a usable, portable format without stripping away its visual essence.
The encoding process uses algorithms known as codecs to analyze the video and remove redundant or unnecessary data. These codecs make it possible to reduce file size while retaining visual quality. This is what enables streaming services to deliver video quickly, without overwhelming bandwidth or storage systems. Without encoding, streaming platforms would be forced to transmit massive raw files that most networks and devices simply could not handle.
Why Encoding is Essential in Streaming
Raw video is massive—especially in high resolutions like 4K or 8K—and completely impractical for distribution. A single minute of raw 4K footage can take up several gigabytes. Encoding compresses that data, making it streamable over typical internet connections.
But file size isn’t the only challenge. Networks vary wildly—some users have fiber; others are stuck with spotty hotel Wi-Fi. Encoding solves for this by preparing multiple versions of the same video at different resolutions and bitrates. That way, the player can switch between them on the fly, matching the viewer’s connection speed to keep playback smooth.
Device diversity adds another wrinkle. Phones, tablets, laptops, TVs—all with different screen sizes and capabilities. Encoding ensures your video adapts to the viewer’s device, delivering the best experience without wasting bandwidth or processing power.
Think of encoding like translating Shakespeare into 50 dialects and getting it to play perfectly on every screen in the world—from a 4K OLED to your grandma’s Android tablet.
Key Concepts in Encoding
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels displayed in each frame of the video, which directly affects image clarity and sharpness. Common resolutions include 720p, 1080p, 4K, and 8K. The higher the resolution, the more detail is visible in the image. However, higher resolution also means more data, which increases file size and bandwidth requirements. Encoding adjusts resolution to match the capabilities of the viewer’s screen and connection. For example, a user on a smartphone with a 720p screen and limited data plan may receive a lower-resolution stream to conserve bandwidth and avoid unnecessary buffering. Think of resolution like the size of a painting. A large canvas with fine brushstrokes reveals more detail, but it takes longer to ship and display. Smaller canvases are easier to deliver but show less intricacy.
Bitrate
Bitrate is the amount of video data transmitted every second, usually measured in kilobits per second or megabits per second. It determines how much information is packed into each second of playback. Higher bitrates produce better image quality because more data is used to describe the visual details. However, they also require more bandwidth and may not stream well on slower networks. Lower bitrates are more efficient but can lead to visible artifacts such as blockiness or blurring. Bitrate is like water flowing through a pipe. A wider pipe delivers more water for a richer experience, but only if the network can handle it. If the pipe is too narrow, a lower bitrate stream prevents overflow and keeps things moving.
Frame Rate
Frame rate is the number of individual images, or frames, shown per second in a video. Standard frame rates include 24 frames per second for film and 30 frames per second for traditional broadcast content. High-motion material, such as sports or gaming content, often uses 60 frames per second for smoother motion. Encoding allows video to be adapted to the appropriate frame rate for the content and platform. Reducing frame rate can help conserve bandwidth for static or slow-motion content, while increasing it enhances the viewing experience for fast-paced scenes. Think of frame rate like the pages of a flipbook. The more pages you flip per second, the smoother the motion appears.
Compression
Compression is the process of reducing video file size by removing unnecessary or repetitive data without noticeably affecting quality. This is achieved through codecs, which analyze and encode only the essential information. There are two types of compression: lossy and lossless. Lossy compression discards data that the human eye is unlikely to notice, resulting in smaller file sizes. Lossless compression retains all original data, preserving quality but not reducing size as significantly. Codecs such as H.264, H.265, VP9, and AV1 each offer different levels of compression efficiency, compatibility, and processing requirements. Compression is like summarizing a long book. A well-written summary conveys the story with fewer words, saving time and space while still delivering the same message.
Codec
A codec, short for coder-decoder, is the algorithm used to compress and decompress video and audio data. During encoding, the codec reduces file size for efficient storage and delivery. During playback, the same codec is used to decode the file for viewing. Each codec has its own strengths and trade-offs. Some are optimized for low-bandwidth environments, while others are designed for high-quality 4K delivery. The choice of codec affects compatibility, quality, encoding speed, decoding efficiency, and licensing costs. Choosing a codec is like selecting the right language for communication. Some are universally understood and easy to use, while others are more advanced but require specific tools to interpret.
Live and On-Demand Encoding
Live encoding is used for real-time broadcasts. This includes news, sports, and live events where footage is captured, processed, and delivered instantly. The emphasis here is on speed and minimal delay. Because there is no time for refinement, live encoding must work quickly, even if that means the output quality is slightly lower than it could be with more processing time.
On-demand encoding is used for videos that are pre-recorded and prepared before release. Since there is no urgency, the encoding can be fine-tuned for optimal quality and performance. The video can be compressed more efficiently, multiple versions can be generated, and everything can be tested before it reaches the viewer. This type of encoding provides more control and generally results in better quality.
The Role of FFmpeg
FFmpeg is one of the most widely used tools in video processing. It is an open-source, command-line application that enables conversion, compression, and editing of video and audio content. Many large-scale media platforms rely on FFmpeg as part of their production workflows, and it is also popular with independent creators and developers.
Using FFmpeg, one can convert video formats, adjust resolution and bitrate, extract audio, capture still frames, apply filters, and prepare videos for adaptive streaming. Although it operates through text-based commands rather than a graphical interface, its flexibility and speed make it a staple in video engineering environments.
FFmpeg can also be integrated into automated pipelines, making it ideal for platforms that need to process hundreds or thousands of videos every day. Its simplicity, power, and scalability have made it a critical part of the video streaming ecosystem.
How Enterprise Solutions Build on FFmpeg
While FFmpeg is a powerful tool, it serves as the foundational layer for many enterprise-grade encoding platforms. These companies build robust, cloud-native solutions that extend FFmpeg’s capabilities with features such as parallel encoding, smart bitrate ladders, GPU acceleration, monitoring dashboards, fault tolerance, and seamless integration with content delivery networks.
Enterprise platforms also handle complex challenges like regional encoding compliance, digital rights management, and scalable live event encoding. By building on FFmpeg’s core strengths, they offer high reliability, performance, and support for production-scale media workflows.
Companies such as Bitmovin, AWS Elemental, Telestream, and Harmonic have built full-fledged encoding pipelines tailored for broadcasters, OTT platforms, and video-centric applications. These systems allow organizations to encode thousands of hours of content per day, track quality metrics in real time, and optimize for cost and playback efficiency worldwide.
While FFmpeg provides the bricks and mortar, these platforms construct the full infrastructure required for large-scale modern media delivery.
Chunked Streaming and Adaptive Bitrate
When a video is streamed, it is not delivered as one continuous file. Instead, it is broken down into small segments or chunks, often lasting between two and ten seconds. These chunks are encoded in several versions at varying quality levels.
The video player selects the best chunk for the viewer based on available bandwidth, device capability, and current playback conditions. If the internet connection slows down, the player can switch to a lower quality chunk without stopping the video. If the connection improves, it can resume higher-quality playback. This system is known as adaptive bitrate streaming.
By breaking content into chunks and adapting in real time, streaming platforms can ensure that videos continue playing smoothly even when network conditions fluctuate. This is essential to providing a high-quality viewing experience on all types of devices and connections.
Why Encoding Matters
Encoding is the engine that drives online video. It enables massive amounts of content to be delivered efficiently and consistently across a fragmented ecosystem of screens, devices, and networks. It helps reduce costs by shrinking files, improves playback quality, and supports a global audience by adapting to user conditions.
In the years ahead, as video resolutions increase and real-time content becomes more prevalent, encoding will become even more vital. It is one of the few processes in the video pipeline that directly impacts performance, user experience, and delivery cost all at once.
Looking Ahead
This article kicks off the Basics of Streaming series. Upcoming editions will cover codecs, encoding ladders, containers, adaptive streaming with FFmpeg, and strategies for balancing cost, quality, and scale. Whether you’re building a product or exploring streaming tech, this series will offer a clear foundation.
