# Video Encoding Video encoding is the process of compressing raw video data using a codec (coder-decoder) to reduce file size while preserving quality. Modern codecs like H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, and AV1 use techniques like inter-frame prediction (storing only differences between frames), intra-frame compression, and motion estimation. The tradeoff: more compression = smaller files but longer encoding time and potential quality loss. Key concepts: bitrate (data per second), resolution, frame rate, and encoding profiles (baseline, main, high). Container formats (MP4, MKV, WebM) wrap encoded video with [[Audio Encoding]] and metadata. Streaming services use adaptive bitrate streaming (HLS, DASH) to adjust quality based on bandwidth. Tools like FFmpeg, HandBrake, and [[VLC]] handle encoding tasks. ## Common Codecs | Codec | Use Case | Notes | |-------|----------|-------| | H.264/AVC | Universal compatibility | Most widely supported | | H.265/HEVC | 4K, streaming | 50% smaller than H.264 | | VP9 | YouTube, WebM | Open, royalty-free | | AV1 | Next-gen streaming | Best compression, slow encode | ## References - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_coding_format ## Related - [[Audio Encoding]] - [[VLC]] - [[FFmpeg]] - [[Video Editing]]