When to Ditch the Webcam

I produce most of my live training with a webcam because the quality delta between a webcam and other options is negligible when presented in postage-stamp-sized videos. But what setup should you use for a really important conference or a call that will be distributed to many viewers live or on demand? That's where things get interesting.

New Rules of Codec Development

The game has changed for new codecs entering the market.

When It Comes to Being on Camera, Don't Be "That Person"

There's no longer any excuse for poor-quality audio or bad video on your Zoom meetings or webinars. By following just a few simple tips and spending less than $200, you can look like a pro.

It's Time to Retire PSNR

Peak signal-to-noise ratio is poor predictor of subjective video quality. So why are PSNR comparisons used in almost all codec comparisons?

4 Keys to Evaluating Cloud Transcoding Options

Here are the four differentiating factors to focus on when assessing cloud transcoding solutions

When it Comes to Bitrates, Less is Always More

What can streaming producers do in the short-term to reduce the load during these COVID-19-related bandwidth usage spikes?

When it Comes to Video Quality Measurements, Average Won't Cut It

Average scores can be deceiving, so be sure you're using a tool that gives you a more accurate assessment of your video quality

All Roads Lead to ABR Royalties

As recent lawsuits regarding DASH-related patents make clear, royalty payments on adaptive bitrate streaming are inevitable—even if it's not yet clear who'll be paying who, or how much

The Compressionist's Aha! Moment: 'The Other Leg, Lanczos'

Every compressionist fantasizes about discovering the perfect configuration option, but our columnist learns that some results are too good to be true.

DASH Patent Pool—Criticized From the Start—Might Cease Operations

The fact that DASH was always marketed as being free didn't stop MPEG LA from forming a patent pool. But lack of support from the major IP contributors appears to have doomed the effort.

Announcing the Swift Death of Per-Title Encoding, 2015-2019

Once revolutionary, pre-title encoding was replaced by shot-based encoding and then context aware encoding. Here's how to evaluate vendors when choosing a solution.

Work in Parallel to Streamline the VQ Measurement Workflow

There's a long way to run video quality measurement tasks and a shorter way. As our columnist learned, it's never too late to learn a more efficient system.

Solutions Abound for High-Volume Live Video Cloud Transcoding

Streaming Media West provided a look at new options for demanding live cloud transcoding jobs. Here's a rundown for those who couldn't be there.

Creating a Recipe for Codec Success to Please All Palates

Looking back and the successes and misfires of H.264, HEVC, and VP9 show what the industry can expect from AV1 and VVC.

New Codecs Are Coming; Here's How to Evaluate Codec Evaluations

When comparing the video quality created by different codecs, consider the companies running the comparisons and the metrics they're offering.

Time to Start Testing: FFmpeg Turns 4.0 and Adds AV1 Support

AV1 delivers equivalent quality to HEVC, but with a lower data rate. For now, though, it's slow. A five-second clip took 23 hours and 46 minutes to encode.

Testing HEVC: Please Take a Moment to Help Measure Performance

Early testing of HEVC playback in HLS showed positive but inconsistent results. We need StreamingMedia.com readers to step up and help provide more data.

Per-Title Video Encoding: The Time to Get Started Is Now

Now widely available, per-title encoding makes whatever codec publishers are already using more efficient by creating a custom optimized encoding ladder.

What Does Netflix Know About Prime Time Video Streaming, Anyway?

Sometimes an industry benchmark—such as Netflix's ISP Speed Index—only tells half the story about video delivery. Before picking a codec, dig a little deeper.

Three Truths About Virtual Reality Success From a VR Novice

The creativity behind immersive VR filmmaking is only matched by the software engineering creativity that makes this type of video possible.