What is content-adaptive live encoding?

Video encoding remains to achieve the best possible balance of perceived quality and compression efficiency. The pursuit of a perfect trade-off between the two criteria motivates us to figure out the most efficient method for video bit allocation. While standard multi-pass encoding with a set bitrate ladder overspends bits for simpler information, Content Adaptive Encoding (CAE) technologies are gaining traction as a viable alternative.

The fundamental benefit of Content Adaptive Encoding is that it works in tandem with standard-conforming encoders rather than replacing them. Content Adaptive Encoding tackles the ever-increasing need for video compression that exceeds the capabilities of traditional encoding technologies. By giving unique encoding parameters for each device type, a content provider could provide material to several device kinds, from smartphones to home theatres, using Context-Aware Encoding.

The majority of OTT service providers use a pre-programmed ABR profile optimised for different target devices and networks. One of the most significant drawbacks is the increase in solution complexity and processing cost that comes with implementing such a dynamic ABR encoding method within a Content Adaptive Encoding solution.

Advantages of content-adaptive live encoding.

• It’s more effective than ABR ladders that are fixed
• At a finer granularity, it is a consistent quality level
• As a workflow, it’s easier to implement
• More refined analysis results in higher bitrate savings
• The CABR library makes the final call on which frame to use

Features of Content adaptive live encoding: 

• The frame-level rate control adapts encoding to the content at the frame level, ensuring the best possible video quality at the lowest possible bitrate.
• It can be integrated with any software or hardware block-based video encoders such as AVC, HEVC, VVC, VP9 and AV1.
• You don’t have to create content-specific accounts like animation or sports any longer.
• Beamr’s CABR library’s content-adaptive technology is completely HDR compliant, supporting SDR, HDR-10, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

The issues with streaming

Streaming will have two primary issues. The first is quality; and the second is buffering. People with low internet quality will find it difficult to stream or download videos. Adaptive streaming can help overcome this problem by “adapting” to the user’s bandwidth and delivering the best. In simpler words, `if a user’s internet connection is slow, the adaptive