From Encoding to Delivery: A Practical Overview
Video streaming is a multi-step chain that starts with encoding and ends with delivery to your screen. Each step affects quality, latency, and compatibility across devices. Understanding the flow helps teams plan and avoid surprises for viewers.
Encoding choices set the foundation. Common codecs include H.264, HEVC (H.265), and AV1. Higher efficiency saves bandwidth, but may require more decoding power on some devices. Pick a target resolution and frame rate that fit content and audience.
Packaging and ABR. After encoding, video is broken into small segments and organized into playlists. HLS uses .m3u8, while DASH uses .mpd. Packaging with CMAF can unify formats and speed up delivery. An ABR ladder lets the player switch quality based on network speed and buffer status.
Delivery and latency. CDNs place copies near viewers to reduce transit time. For live streams, low-latency options use smaller segments and faster signaling, which improves start time and reduces stalls, but requires careful tuning of buffers and routes.
Putting it together. A practical pipeline encodes at multiple bitrates, packages into HLS and/or DASH, and serves through a CDN. Monitor startup time, rebuffering, and bitrate switches. Test on real devices and networks to catch issues early.
Example scenario. A sports event might use four qualities—360p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K where available—with 2-second segments. The top ladder could reach 6–8 Mbps, while the lowest stays under 1 Mbps. The player adapts to conditions to keep playback smooth.
Key Takeaways
- Plan encoding, packaging, ABR, and delivery as a single pipeline.
- Choose codecs and formats that balance quality, cost, and device support.
- Monitor startup, buffering, and bitrate switching to improve viewer experience.