H.264 production

Content in this category discusses how to produce H.264 video.

Handout for Encoding for Flash, Mobile and HTML5 - SMWest 2012

Here's the seminar description:

Encoding for Flash, Mobile and HTML5: Learn the technological fundamentals behind encoding for both H.264 and WebM formats. Learn how to encode H.264 for HTML5 distribution and streaming to iOS and other mobile devices, as well as how to encode it for Flash, including live, on-demand, and RTMP, as well as HTTP-based adaptive streaming. For WebM, learn the basics of on-demand streaming, plus get a look at live WebM encoders. Finally, get an update on how to stream adaptively to all these targets.

Click over to the article to download the handout.

H.264 in a Mobile World: Adios to the Main and High Profiles?

Now that mobile devices are a critical target for most streaming producers, does it make sense to start encoding all H.264 footage using the Baseline profile? From the tests that I performed this week, encoding all footage using this profile might save encoding and storage resources with minimal loss in quality. Click over to the main article to view the test results, or click here to view the actual video files.

FFmpeg Encoding Resources at Sonnati Blog

One of the brightest stars in the encoding universe is Fabio Sonnati, who blogs at Flash Video Technology and Optimizations. I was researching H.264 encoding parameters and revisited his site, noting that his presentation from Adobe MAX2011 entitled ...

Encoding for Flash, Mobile, and HTML5

Here are the handouts from my recent presesentation at Streaming Media West in LA. Here's the description.

Learn the technological fundamentals behind encoding for both H.264 and WebM formats. You’ll learn how to encode H.264 for HTML5 distribution and streaming to iOS and other mobile devices, as well as how to encode it for Flash, including live, on-demand, and RTMP, as well as HTTP-based adaptive streaming. For WebM, you’ll learn the basics of on-demand streaming, plus get a look at live WebM encoders. Finally, you’ll learn how the various H.264 and WebM encoding tools compare in regards to performance, quality, and features.

You can download the presentation below.

Encoding H.264 for HTML5

The title speaks for itself; click over to the main article to download the handout.

Free H.264 Encoders Plus Apple Compressor 4

I compare four H.264 encoders in this article on OnlineVideo.net. Here's the gripping introduction: OK, so you’re cheap and in a hurry and you just want the answer to a single question, “What’s the best free H.264 encoder?” Well, you’re in...

What is H.264?

H.264 is the most widely used codec on the planet, with significant penetration in optical disc, broadcast, and streaming video markets. However, many uses of H.264 are subject to royalties, something that should be considered prior to its adaption. Other factors to consider include comparative quality against other available technologies, like Google’s WebM, as well as the general availability of decoding capabilities on target platforms and devices. This article discusses H.264 and competitive technologies from these perspectives.

Interview on WebM and HTML5 at StreamingMedia West

ScribeMedia.org produced a number of video interviews at StreamingMedia West, including an interview with StreamingLearning Center's founding visionary, Jan Ozer (sorry, couldn't resist, writing in the third party is so freeing). As the title suggests, host Peter Cervieri and I discuss WebM, HTML5 and several other issues. Click over to the main article to see the video.

Encoding H.264 Video for Streaming and Progressive Download - Presentation

Here's the description of the presentation that I just gave at StreamingMedia West. You can download the PDF below. Enjoy!

This seminar focuses on producing H.264 video  for streaming or progressive download. It starts with a deep look at key H.264 encoding parameters like B-frames, profiles, and levels and how to customize encoding parameters for distributing via QuickTime and Flash. After detailing how to operate the H.264-related encoding  parameters in tools from Adobe, Apple, Microsoft, Sorenson, and  Telestream, it then provides a brief overview of the respective quality output of these tools. Learn how your encoding tool compares in terms of quality and configurability, as well as how to configure  your encoding tool for maximum H.264 quality.

H.264 Presentations from Streaming Media Europe

I gave two presentations at Streaming Media Europe last week, one a three hour presentation on producing H.264 for Flash, Silverlight, QuickTime and HTML5, the other a 30 minute short course on producing H.264. Both presentations are attached hereto. Click over to the main article to download them.