Video encoding is the process of preparing the video for output, where the digital video is encoded to meet proper formats and specifications for recording and playback according to the requirements of the hosting platform (that's us). Review this article carefully for use with Subsplash Live or On-Demand media.

When preparing videos for upload to your Subsplash on-demand media library, you'll want to make sure you have the correct encoding settings to avoid any potential issues with the upload process. If you've uploaded a video and it failed to process or doesn't play properly, ensure you're using the settings below.

Additionally, ensure you're not using template/preset encoding settings that might optimize the video for iPhones/iPads or other platforms.
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Video editing/encoding software we recommend:

Whether preparing for a true live stream or a simulated live stream on Subsplash Live, it's important to make sure you are using optimized encoding settings! By combining what works best with Subsplash Live and what is most accessible for the majority of users, we’ve arrived at some formal recommendations for encoding settings. With something as complex as streaming, issues are bound to happen from time to time. If you are experiencing an issue with your stream start with these settings.
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There are two profiles, one for streaming at 720p and one for streaming at 1080p. With Subsplash Live, it is entirely up to you whether you want to stream in 720p or 1080p, and switching between the two is as simple as making some minor adjustments in your encoder.
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If you are doing a true live stream, the encoder will apply the encoding settings at the time of streaming. If you’re doing a simulated livestream, the encoding settings will be applied much earlier, by the program used to export the video. Sometimes, different encoders or programs will use different labels for these settings, so check our Knowledge Center to see if we have a specific setup article for the one that you use.
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Different encoders or programs may not provide any way to adjust these settings; in that case, try to match our recommendations as closely as you can and watch for issues. If you notice your stream is not performing well, contact the support team and we can help!

One other thing to take into account here is that live stream recordings on Subsplash Live are clamped at 7.5 GB or 8 hours, whichever comes first. How long it takes a recording to reach the file size limit is dependent on the bitrate of the stream. Here are some estimates of the maximum duration a recording may have at different bitrates:

If a stream runs long enough and transmits enough data to exceed this file size cap, recording will stop at that point, though the stream will continue. However, even if the bitrate is low enough that the recording could theoretically run longer, it will be terminated at 8 hours.

A single 1920x1080 frame is over two times the size of a 1280x720 frame, so to maintain a frame rate of 30 frames per second, a 1080p stream will need a significantly higher data rate (bitrate) to transmit all of the info for those frames. The overall data rate for your stream can be bottlenecked by both your encoder’s connection to the local network and your local network’s connection to the internet. If either of these is too low to maintain the required data rate, the stream will exhibit issues for all viewers. In addition, it is also possible for individual users to have a connection to the internet on their end that can’t maintain the required data rate to watch the stream, in which case those individual users will experience issues. Ultimately, if connection bandwidth is a concern for either your encoder or your viewers, the best choice for your stream resolution is the choice that requires the least bandwidth: 720p with the minimum bitrate. However, if you believe your connection and your viewers’ connections are up to it, 1080p and higher bitrates will offer higher visual quality.
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If you are using Handbrake or Adobe Premiere Pro/Adobe Media Encoder to encode on-demand videos or videos for use with Subsplash Live, we have preconfigured preset files for you!

Import these into their corresponding programs and you should be able to use them to streamline your video production workflow. Importing presets into Adobe programs is as simple as double-clicking them, but the steps for importing in Handbrake are somewhat more complicated; see below for a walkthrough video showing the import process.