As screen resolution rises in definition and competition in the online content creation space gets fiercer, broadcasters must place a greater emphasis on quality of experience (QoE). Audiences always want their video content to be better, faster, and clearer. Fortunately, video streaming technologies are continually improving to meet the growing demand.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, a <\/span>recent NPAW report<\/span><\/a> shows that the buffering ratio for VODs has fallen by 54% and picture quality is continually improving. Even with these developments, companies sometimes need to make a tradeoff between video quality optimization for live streaming and performance. They do achieve this with bitrate adjustments.<\/span><\/p>\n Many broadcasters are turning to adaptive and <\/span>multi-bitrate streaming<\/span><\/a> to automatically optimize video streams to match the streaming conditions of viewers better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This post will cover why bitrate flexibility matters for global video delivery. From there, we\u2019ll examine the differences between <\/span>adaptive bitrate<\/span><\/a> and multi-bitrate streaming and how they affect the QoE. Finally, we\u2019ll see how Dacast supports both ways for streaming quality video to viewers, no matter the device or network.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the basics. What is bitrate? Bitrate is the measure of how much data is transmitted over a set period of time. In terms of online video streaming, it refers to how much <\/span>bandwidth a video<\/span><\/a> will consume during streaming. This measure is what helps us understand the tradeoff between quality and performance for viewers. The most common measurement for <\/span>bitrate<\/span><\/a> is in kilobits per second, or kbps.<\/span><\/p>\n Bitrate impacts performance because users need to have an Internet speed that constantly exceeds the video\u2019s bitrate. That way, the user\u2019s video player can download the video fast enough for playback to be smooth.<\/span><\/p>\n The challenge is that network conditions frequently fluctuate, and different geographical regions have vastly varying connection speeds. For example, delivering video to densely populated areas with congested networks like <\/span>mainland China<\/span><\/a>, or mobile users on variable 5G connections, requires significant bitrate flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\n Streaming in multiple bitrates to accommodate varying network speeds provides a <\/span>high-quality streaming<\/span><\/a> experience on a global level. This isn\u2019t just about offering the \u201cbest\u201d quality to a few; it\u2019s about providing the optimal quality for every viewer, minimizing buffering, and maximizing engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n While broadcasters could offer lower bitrate streams that are accessible for nearly any device or bandwidth capacity, today\u2019s viewers often expect much more. <\/span>Over-the-top (OTT) platforms<\/span><\/a> must deliver high-definition and even 4K video on par with the TV viewing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n Viewers with the bandwidth and devices to watch <\/span>high-quality streams<\/span><\/a> won\u2019t bother watching poor-quality videos for long. Video quality remains the most important engagement factor for <\/span>67% of live stream viewers<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In general, videos with higher bitrates often have a higher quality than <\/span>videos transcoded<\/span><\/a> at lower bitrates. That\u2019s because higher bitrates can accommodate higher <\/span>video resolutions<\/span><\/a> (the number of pixels per frame, determining sharpness) or more frames per second (fps, crucial for smooth motion, especially in fast-paced content).<\/span><\/p>\n Most videos have a <\/span>frame rate<\/span><\/a> of around 24 fps, which is fast enough for humans to perceive as fluid motion. While this framerate is fine for most videos, broadcasters may choose 30 to 60 fps for sporting events or fast-paced clips. Higher fps is necessary for quick-moving content, like live sports.<\/span><\/p>\n Compression is another factor that determines a video\u2019s file size and, in turn, its bit rate. Newer <\/span>codecs<\/span><\/a> like <\/span>H.264<\/span><\/a> and HEVC (H.265) can intelligently reduce enormous amounts of unnecessary data without impacting quality, leading to lower bitrates for the same visual quality compared to legacy codecs.<\/span><\/p>\n While higher bitrates generally equate to greater picture quality, other equally important factors also contribute to the viewing experience. Issues like buffering, lagging, or slow start times can severely diminish the Quality of Experience, even if the peak quality is high.<\/span><\/p>\n Choosing <\/span>video bitrates<\/span><\/a> for streaming comes down to the type of videos a broadcaster wants to stream and the streaming quality expected by their target audience. That means bitrates aren\u2019t one-size-fits-all, so broadcasters should create a <\/span>video streaming profile<\/span><\/a> tailored to their audience.<\/span><\/p>\n Within Dacast, users can easily configure multi-streaming settings for every video file, whether a VOD or a live stream. You\u2019ll select from a set of renditions that include the bitrates and resolutions best suited for your intended audience.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s see what setting up a bitrate ladder on Dacast involves. For most broadcasters, we suggest the following updated live encoder resolution and bitrate settings as a starting point for your video encoding ladder 2025:<\/span><\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Why Bitrate Flexibility Matters More Than Raw Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"streaming](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/streaming-bitrates.jpg\")
Does Bitrate Affect Video Quality?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What\u2019s a Good Bitrate for Streaming?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Adaptive](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Adaptive-Bitrate-Streaming.jpg\")