Video files can be huge.
Encoding makes them lighter to save, send and share on social media.
Video compression is useful for a number of reasons. First of all, the possibility to upload and download them quickly online; in fact, compression will reduce the size of the file and make this process easier, especially for social media. If the video will only be watched on a device with limited storage space, compression can help save space. And if you want to send video via email or on social networks, compression will help you to be compliant with file size limits.
How does video compression work?
The video you are shooting is probably already compressed. Unless you are making a video with a professional camera, most devices like smartphones, DSLRs ((Digital single-lens reflex) or camcorders compress the video while they are shooting it, using a software called codec.
Codecs can be "lossy" (with data loss) or "lossless" (without data loss).
For example, YouTube uses the H.264 lossless codec. The codec captures each frame of a video and divides it into a grid. Then compare the grids. If the information in the grid has not changed, these squares are not loaded during playback, in formats without data loss or discarded entirely with lossy formats.
Informations lost during the compression process, can reduce a video to a much smaller size, but with a loss of quality. As a general rule, modern devices will shoot using a lossless codec and allow you to decide whether to compress it further during shooting and editing.
Rules to be implemented during shooting
Before you start shooting, you need to follow certain steps, so that encoding is easier, here are some:
1) Shoot in places with plenty of light, especially direct sunlight. The brighter the video, the more information will be needed for the codec. If possible, shadows and dark colors should be avoided.
2) How will the video be used? For example, if it’s seen on a flat screen, you will have to choose the 1080p resolution.
3) If you need to reduce the video to the smallest possible file size, you will need to shoot with a lossy codec, so as to save rendering time and reduce the risk of errors.
4) Use a simple editing program to cut the video only in the most relevant parts. Even lossless codecs can package short videos in much smaller spaces.
Tangram
Our team has designed Tangram for video encoding and transmission, a digital platform that uses Blockchain technology, a real innovation in this kind of service. The peer-to-peer network that processes tasks can work on an extensive number of nodes without the need for new manual configurations. Thanks to the Blockchain, the traceability of all video encoding service is guaranteed, as is quality control and protection of the customer's copyright. The distribution of work on public nodes allows infrastructure costs reduction, lower costs for using the service and a consistent improvement in terms of speed.
Tangram was possible thanks to Blockchain, a secure technology, which isn’t a trend, it’s the future. This sophisticated technology has already proved to be very versatile and has the potential to generate deep and positive change in different areas of the digital market.
The team is only at the beginning of the fascinating journey of exploration of its infinite fields of application. Stay tuned!