Product Overview: Bitmovin Encoding
Bitmovin Encoding is a cutting-edge video encoding solution designed to deliver high-quality video content efficiently and scalably. Here’s a detailed look at what the product does and its key features.
What it Does
Bitmovin Encoding is a comprehensive video encoding service that converts raw video files into compatible, compressed, and efficient digital formats. This process, known as encoding, is crucial for preparing video content for streaming over various platforms. The service supports both live and on-demand (VOD) video encoding, ensuring that content is optimized for delivery to a wide range of devices and platforms.
Key Features
Encoding Speed and Scalability
- Bitmovin Encoding boasts encoding speeds of up to 100x real-time, making it one of the fastest video encoders available. This speed is particularly beneficial for handling large content libraries and live streaming workflows.
Multi-Codec Support
- The service supports a wide array of codecs, including H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, AV1, AAC, AC3, E-AC3, MP3, and Vorbis. This multi-codec support ensures compatibility with various streaming standards and devices.
Advanced Optimization
- Bitmovin’s Next-Generation VOD Encoder features advanced optimization techniques such as Per-Title and Per-Shot encoding. These optimizations tune each compression to achieve maximum quality, minimum size, and the lowest cost, particularly useful for content with varying complexity like sports and dynamic videos.
High-Definition and HDR Support
- The encoder supports high-definition formats up to 8K and multi-HDR (High Dynamic Range) including Dolby Vision and Atmos. This ensures crystal-clear quality and optimum file sizes for premium content.
DRM and Forensic Watermarking
- Bitmovin provides out-of-the-box support for Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems such as Widevine, PlayReady, PrimeTime, Marlin, and Fairplay. Additionally, it offers forensic watermarking to protect content from piracy.
Cloud Scalability
- Built for cloud or hybrid cloud implementations, Bitmovin Encoding dynamically scales worker nodes in cloud environments like AWS, Azure, or GCP. This scalability ensures efficient use of resources and reduces costs by adapting to changing demand without idle infrastructure.
Integration and Deployment
- The service offers fast and easy integration and setup, with actively maintained API clients for all major programming languages and comprehensive documentation. It also supports zero downtime deployments and upgrades, ensuring continuous operation.
Subtitles and Closed Captions
- Bitmovin Encoding supports various subtitle and closed caption formats including WebVTT, SRT, TTML, SMPTE-TT, EBU-TT, DFXP, 608/708, and SCC, enhancing accessibility and compliance.
Input and Output Options
- The service provides a wide range of input and output options, including AWS S3, GCS, Azure, FTP, SFTP, HTTP, Aspera, Scality, Swift, Rackspace, Cloudian, and IBM Bluemix, among others.
Functionality
Multi-Pass Encoding
- Bitmovin’s multi-pass encoding ensures crystal-clear quality and maximizes video processing efficiency. This feature, along with smart chunking and split and stitch technology, enhances encoded assets by intelligently allocating higher bitrates to crucial file segments.
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
- The encoder supports adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) with automatic ABR (Per-Title) and advanced bitrate distribution techniques. This ensures an optimal quality and streaming experience by adjusting bitrates based on the content’s complexity.
Live Encoding
- For live streaming, Bitmovin’s Live Encoder ingests RTMP/s, SRT, or Zixi inputs and generates packaged HLS and DASH outputs, ensuring scalable and high-quality delivery to a wide range of devices and platforms.
In summary, Bitmovin Encoding is a powerful and flexible solution that combines high-speed encoding, advanced optimization techniques, and extensive codec and format support to deliver top-quality video content efficiently and reliably.