What is your experience with video compression and how can you use it to improve your projects?

It is important to recognize that a codec standard and a codec implementation are two different things. One encoder implementation (say of H.264) may have better compression performance than another implementation. Encoding is not just algorithmic, it is an "art" of using the tools in the toolbox of the standard in the best way. Even an old codec like MPEG-2 has more bit rate efficient implementations every year as vendors perfect their "art". And while open source solutions via ffmpeg can be good, there are other vendors of closed source codec implementations which may be superior - at a cost.

Selecting the right video compression impacts the quality and experience of the video you are sharing. Whether live or pre-processed, pick the right compression for your target audience (often on multiple platforms). Consider H264 or H265 for greatest compatibility (these formats often are supported in hardware, which means the phone doesn’t suck power and the laptops run more efficiently as well). Layered compression such as LCEVC can help for use cases around latency and throughput. Look at next generation codecs like AV-1 if you are looking at high resolution video or streaming in volume. These can be processed efficiently on GPUs today. If you are processing large volumes of video, hardware is available to scale workloads efficiently.

As we move into projects where we leverage the network as our infrastructure, compression becomes an important design consideration. Networks and Storage can be built to handle varying bandwidths and storage requirements but some form of compression is almost always necessary considering the heavy requirements of uncompressed video. Compression helps efficiency which translates to cost savings, improved performance and depending on the application an overall better UX.

In my experience, video compression reduces the redundant data and the transmission gets easier. It speeds up the data transfer and enables ease to access and makes the streaming smooth. For example, if any educational content is transmitted using right compression then the users can use the high quality video over smaller bandwidth which would enhance the experience and also available during slower internet connection. Minimising buffer size not only increases the user experience but also improves user engagement leading to more interaction.

While there are many ways to compress video, H.264 is still most common in use, Even though there are successors (H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2 ). Desired length of storage, bandwidth and IP infrastructure are key components that must be carefully considered. Racks of storage are expensive and take up real estate if you choose to store on-site. Which is why many are shifting to Cloud based solutions so the storage burden is shifted to larger data centers.

Video compression is vital for optimizing content delivery on diverse platforms. It's impressive that codecs like AVC/h.264, which is 20+ year old, can reduce a source video size by over 200 times, and newer ones like AV1 achieve over 800 times reduction, all while maintaining the high quality of experience required by services such as premium streaming, social media, online gaming, etc. This technical feat ensures seamless experiences for users across various applications and devices, highlighting the essential role of video compression in today's digital landscape. Without compression, the internet infrastructure required would simply be impractical.

In my experience, choosing the right compression codec is crucial for optimizing storage and bandwidth. Researching codecs for tailored content enhances the viewing experience. Balancing compression ratios and visual quality is vital for diverse audiences. Implementing adaptive bitrate streaming improves user experience by reducing buffering. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging codecs for efficiency and device support. Regularly assess and adapt compression techniques for future-proofing. Consider end-user experience, maintaining quality while reducing file sizes, through quality assurance and audience feedback.

Ob eine Datei komprimiert werden muss, hängt von ihrer Verwendung ab. Eine unkomprimierte Datei sollte jedoch unbedingt archiviert werden. Eine komprimierte Datei ist nützlich, um ein Medium durch die Vorstufen seiner Produktion schneller prüfen zu können oder um ein Werk für 'Multiplikatoren' verfügbar zu machen.

From the perspective of physical security provider when designing a commercial video surveillance system video compression plays a large part in the design. We typically use H.265 compression when designing although alternative compressions could be used. You need to consider the LAN/WAN capabilities, number of cameras, camera resolution, number of frames per second, Codex, and length of time for video retention. This could be the same across all cameras or it could be different from camera to camera. You also need to consider AI analytics like facial recognition or others. AI may have a higher frame rate requirement to do its job. AI is also more efficient if it’s doing its work before compressing.

One has to pay attention that if compression is a power/resources hungry and complex process, decompression may be as well. Compression and decompression are thus to be very carefully considered depending on the use case and on the decompression capabilities of the devices that will be used to play that content. For example using lossless compression, that is both requiring lots of resources for both compression and for decompression, for preserving content as part of a national television archive may be acceptable as specific players may be created, but will certainly not be for the latest blockbuster to be distributed over the Internet over a streaming platform as it would require too much power from mobile phones or from connected TVs.

In hindsight, this explanation of compression is clear and concise. The differentiation between lossless and lossy compression, along with their respective trade-offs, provides a comprehensive understanding. Highlighting the factors influencing compression, such as bitrate, resolution, frame rate, and codec, adds depth to the explanation. Overall, it effectively communicates the fundamental principles of how compression works in video files. Yet, something worth adding might be adding context to sampling resolution (4.4.4, 4.2.2, 4.2.0, …)

The given explanation is to the point. To add to it- The compression technique ensure size reduction without any compromise in quality. Lossless is for places where highest quality is crucial and lossy is for achieving compression by removing data not visible to human naked eye. MPEG, H.264 are common algorithms. Some techniques are- Transform coding, quantization, motion compensation .

Being a compression professional and worked with several audio/video codecs, in recent times couple of new codecs evolved H.265/AV1/VP9 etc however the H.265 is the most used codec in the industry and other are leases used the reason behind is that H.264 has universal support for all players, devices and browsers whereas others are still in development phase to interoperability with all platforms to gain the adequate performance and quality to overcome the legacy codecs.

The answer is concise and to the point. However, in most practical applications, the compression applied is lossy, involving a delicate balance between achieving bandwidth targets, considering computational limits and client devices capabilities, while preserving the highest possible quality. This needs a careful selection and utilization of the most appropriate codec and its tools. This is where various implementations differ, aiming to provide "the best" lossy compression within the application's given limitations.

Again, I concur with this overview for those navigating video compression options and tools, but would make a point on the following: FLV is an obsolete format, and all the rage at the time I am writing this is FFV1 video encoding/Matroska.

Pay attention that proposed formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, FFV1 and Matroska) are wrappers' formats and not codec formats. Wrappers are typically needed to ensure that audiovisual content is transferred as a single entity, regardless of the number of associated essences (typically one video track, multiple audio tracks, possibly some subtitles tracks and sometimes some cover and some editorial and technical metadata), regardless of the codecs that are used for compressing them. Typical compression formats are H.264, H.265, AVC, HEVC, AAC, AC3, JPEG-2K or JPEG-XS. There is a strong relationship between wrapper formats and the codecs ones. You may also want to add more "professional" or "broadcast" wrappers like MXF.

In video compression, it's crucial to understand: * Video codec standards like AVC/h.264, HEVC/h.265, VVC/h.266, LCEVC, vp9, and AV1. These standards define how video data is encoded and decoded, impacting both quality and compression efficiency. * Video containers, such as MP4, MPEG-TS, MOV, and WebM, which encapsulate audio, video, and metadata. The choice of container affects compatibility and functionalities. * Delivery protocols like HLS, DASH, RTMP, and WebRTC. These protocols govern how compressed video content is transmitted and streamed over networks, affecting compatibility and latency. Consider the device compatibility and quality objectives to make informed decisions about the format, codec, bitrate, resolution and frame rate.

Video compression best practices also include maintaining a backup of your original video for unforeseen issues. Implement version control for changes, enabling easy reversion if needed. Document compression settings for reference or replication. Consider user bandwidth to optimize settings for diverse internet speeds. Regularly update tools and codecs to benefit from improved efficiency, features, and compatibility.

Create a sandbox environment for you and your team to conduct A-B testing on emerging video compression technologies. Over the last two decades, codec advancements have been significant. Implement tools to measure the impact of these advancements on both cost and service quality within your pipeline. Experimentation might involve isolating devices supporting new codecs like AV1 or adapting applications for software codec implementations such as LCEVC. These tests are instrumental in quantifying the specific benefits these technologies can bring to your service.

Given the times we live in, may also be crucial to consider the trade-off between file size reduction and perceptual quality. Strive for a balance that meets your project's requirements, ensuring that the compression level doesn't compromise the viewer's experience. Additionally, explore the potential of machine learning algorithms in optimizing compression parameters, as advancements in this field continue to shape the future of video technology.

Selecting a video compression type involves crucial considerations. Prioritize low-latency codecs for real-time applications. Assess error resilience for network issues. Check configurability, considering power consumption in battery-operated devices. Evaluate licensing fees for patented compression standards. Efficient resource allocation is vital for multi-camera systems. Choose adaptable codecs for varying network conditions. Verify hardware acceleration support for CPU offloading. Ensure long-term viability with widely adopted standards. These considerations, alongside compression efficiency, align the compression type with specific surveillance or streaming needs.

Best practices in video compression involve choosing the right codec, adjusting bitrate settings, and optimizing for specific platforms. Experiment with different compression settings to find the balance between file size and video quality. Utilize adaptive streaming for varying network conditions. This ensures a seamless viewing experience and reduces buffering. Regularly assess and adopt newer compression technologies to stay current and enhance project efficiency.