Upload and encode videos uploading-and-encoding-videos
To create single video or adaptive video sets for delivery to the web or mobile devices, you first upload your primary video files to Adobe Dynamic Media Classic. Adobe Dynamic Media Classic encodes videos to MP4 format and it publishes video in the following file formats:
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MP4 - Adobe Dynamic Media Classic recommends MP4 as the preferred video file format. Use MP4 files for the following:
- HTTP Dynamic Streaming on desktops.
- HTTP Live Streaming (Apple’s streaming protocol).
- Progressive video delivery to Android™, BlackBerry®, and Windows® mobile devices
Adobe Dynamic Media Classic offers two workflows for uploading video files:
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Pre-encoded Videos - You upload MP4 files directly to Adobe Dynamic Media Classic. With this workflow, files are not encoded at the time you upload them. The files are pre-encoded in preparation for delivery to the desktop and to mobile devices.
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Primary source videos - Upload primary source video files and, at upload, encode these files to MP4 files. Encoded videos are labeled “Video” in the Browse panel. Adobe Dynamic Media Classic supports the encoding of video files in many formats.
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Make sure the primary source video files that you want to encode are supported.
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Choose a video encoding preset.
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Adobe Dynamic Media Classic also generates video thumbnails. You can learn more about video thumbnails, how to obtain their URLs, and modifying poster frames.
See Work with video thumbnails.
To upload and encode videos:
Do any one of the following.
If your videos are already encoded
- On the Global Navigation bar, select Upload.
- In the Upload page, select From Desktop tab.
- On the Upload page, in the Select Files for Upload panel, select Browse, navigate to an MP4 video file, and then select Open.
- In the Choose Folder Destination panel, select a folder for the uploaded file.
- On the Upload page, make sure that Publish After Uploading is checked.
- Select Submit Upload.
If you want to encode your videos using Adobe Dynamic Media Classic
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On the Global Navigation bar, select Upload.
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In the Upload page, select From Desktop tab.
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In the Select Files to Upload panel, select Browse, navigate to a primary source video file, and then select Open.
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In the Choose Folder Destination panel, select a folder for the uploaded file.
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In the lower-right corner of the page, select Job Options,
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In the Upload Job Options dialog box, expand EVideo Options, then do one of the following:
- Best practice is to select Adaptive Video Encoding. See Adaptive Video (default).
- Optional. If you want to use individual encoding settings, expand Single Encoding Presets, and then select the encoding options you want for Desktop, Mobile, and Tablet.
See Desktop video encoding presets, Mobile video encoding presets, Tablet video encoding presets.
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In the Upload Job Options dialog box, select Save.
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On the Upload page, make sure that Publish After Uploading is checked.
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On the Upload page, in the lower-right corner, select Submit Upload.
If you want to re-encode a video file that you previously uploaded
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In Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, in the Browse panel, navigate to the video and select it.
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Go to File > Reprocess.
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In the Reprocess Assets dialog box, expand EVideo Options, then do one of the following:
- Best practice is to use the following method. Select Adaptive Video.
See Adaptive Video (default). - Optional. If you want to use individual encoding settings, expand Single Encoding Presets, and then select the encoding options you want for Desktop, Mobile, and Tablet.
See Desktop video encoding presets, Mobile video encoding presets, Tablet video encoding presets.
- Best practice is to use the following method. Select Adaptive Video.
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In the Reprocess Assets dialog box, select Submit.
When you use Adaptive Video encoding preset or you use multiple single-encoding presets, the result is an Adaptive Video Set that is automatically created with multiple video encodings. You can also manually create an Adaptive Video Set by selecting individual videos.
Only MP4 and M4V file types are created when you generate an Adaptive Video Set either automatically or manually.
Supported video file types for encoding supported-video-file-types-for-encoding
The following table lists video file types (with permitted video codecs) that you can encode to MP4 or OGV format when you upload files. The table lists file formats and codecs:
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Video file formats - Similar to a ZIP file, a video file format determines how files are contained in the video file. A video file usually contains multiple tracks — a video track (without audio) and one or more audio tracks (without video) — that are interrelated and synchronized. The video file format determines how these different data tracks and metadata are organized.
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Video codecs - A video codec describes the algorithm by which a video is encoded. A video player decodes the video according to its codec and then displays a series of images, or frames, on the screen. Codecs minimize the amount of information that video files are required to store to play video. Rather than information about each individual frame, only information about the differences between one frame and the next are stored. Because most videos change little from one frame to the next, codecs allow for high compression rates, which result in smaller file sizes.
table 0-row-2 1-row-2 2-row-2 3-row-2 4-row-2 5-row-2 6-row-2 7-row-2 8-row-2 9-row-2 10-row-2 11-row-2 12-row-2 13-row-2 14-row-2 15-row-2 16-row-2 Video file format Video codecs 3GP H.263, H.264 AVI DivX, DV M2P MPEG-2 PS M2T MPEG-2 TS M2TS MPEG-2 TS M2V MPEG-2 ES M4V H.264 MOV DV, DVCPro 50, H.261, H.263, H.264, Sorenson Video 1 MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC MPEG MPEG-2 SS MPG MPEG-2 SS MTS MPEG-2 ProRes APCN, APCS, APCO, APCH, AP4H TS DVCPro 50 VOB MPEG-2 WMV/ASF VC-1, Windows® Media Video 7, Windows® Media Video 8 note note NOTE The Jobs screen alerts you if you upload and attempt to encode a video file but the file is rejected because it contains an incompatible codec or file container. For more information, see Check job files.
Best practices for video encoding best-practices-for-video-encoding
The following are best-practice tips for encoding source video files in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic.
Source video files source-video-files
When you encode a video file, use a source video file of the highest possible quality. Avoid using previously encoded video files because these files are already compressed, and further encoding creates a subpar quality video.
The following table describes the recommended size, aspect ratio, and minimum bit rate that your source video files must have when you encode them:
Obtain a file’s metadata obtaining-a-file-s-metadata
You can obtain a file’s metadata by viewing its metadata in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, using a video-editing tool, or using an application designed for obtaining metadata. Following are instructions for using MediaInfo, a third-party application, to obtain a video file’s metadata:
- Go to this web page: https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo.
- Select and download the installer for the GUI version, and follow the installation instructions.
- After installation, either right-click the video file (Windows® only) and select MediaInfo, or open MediaInfo and drag your video file into the application. You see all metadata associated with your video file, including its width, height, and fps.
Aspect ratio aspect-ratio
When you choose or create a video encoding preset for your primary video file, make sure that the preset has the same aspect ratio as the primary video file. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of the video.
To determine the aspect ratio of a video file, obtain the file’s metadata, and note the file’s width and its height (see Obtain a file’s metadata). Then use this formula to determine the aspect ratio:
width/height = aspect ratio
The following table describes how formula results translate to common aspect ratio choices:
For example, a video that is 1440 width × 1080 height has an aspect ratio of 1440/1080, or 1.33. In this case, you choose a video encoding preset with a 4:3 aspect ratio to encode the video file.
Data rate data-rate
The data rate (also called the bit rate) is the amount of data that is encoded to make up a single second of video playback. The data rate is measured in kilobits per second (Kbps).
When you choose a video encoding preset, remember to account for the target end user’s connection speed. Choose a preset with a data rate that is 80 percent of that speed. For example, if the target end user’s connection speed is 1000 Kbps, the best preset is one with a video data rate of 800 Kbps.
This table describes the data rate of typical connection speeds.
Resolution resolution
Resolution describes a video file’s height and width in pixels. Most source video is stored at a high resolution (for example, 1920 × 1080). For streaming purposes, source video is compressed to a smaller resolution (640 × 480 or smaller).
Resolution and data rate are two integrally linked factors that determine video quality. To maintain the same video quality, the higher the number of pixels in a video file (the higher the resolution), the higher the data rate must be. For example, consider the number of pixels per frame in a 320 × 240 resolution and a 640 × 480 resolution video file:
The 640 × 480 file has four times more pixels per frame. To achieve the same data rate for these two example resolutions, you apply four times the compression to the 640 × 480 file, which can reduce the quality of the video. Therefore, a video data rate of 250 Kbps produces high-quality viewing at a 320 × 240 resolution, but not at a 640 × 480 resolution.
Because resolution and data rate are linked, you have two options when encoding video:
- Choose a data rate and then encode at the highest resolution that appears best at the data rate you chose.
- Choose a resolution and then encode at the data rate necessary to achieve high-quality video at the resolution you chose.
When you choose (or create) a video encoding preset for your primary video file, use this table to target the correct resolution:
Fps (frames per second) fps-frames-per-second
In the United States and Japan, most video is shot at 29.97 frames per second (fps); in Europe, most video is shot at 25 fps. Film is shot at 24 fps.
Choose a video encoding preset that matches the fps rate of your primary video file. For example, if your primary video is 25 fps, choose an encoding preset with 25 fps. By default, all custom encodings use the primary video file’s fps. For this reason, you do not need to explicitly specify the fps setting when you create a video encoding preset.
Video encoding dimensions video-encoding-dimensions
For optimal results, select encoding dimensions such that the source video is a whole multiple of all your encoded videos.
To calculate this ratio, you divide source width by encoded width to get the width ratio. Then, you divide source height by encoded height to get the height ratio.
If the resulting ratio is a whole integer, it means that the video is optimally scaled. If the resulting ratio is not a whole integer, it impacts video quality by leaving leftover pixel artifacts on the display. This effect is most noticeable when the video has text.
As an example, suppose that your source video is 1920 × 1080. In the following table, the three encoded videos provide the optimal encoding settings to use.
Encoded video file format encoded-video-file-format
Adobe Dynamic Media Classic recommends using MP4 H.264 video encoding presets. Because MP4 files use the H.264 video codec, it provides high-quality video but in a compressed file size.
Work with video encoding presets working-with-video-encoding-presets
Primary video files created with video production equipment and video-editing software are often too large and not in the proper format for delivery to online destinations. To convert digital video to the proper format and specifications for playback on different screens, you can transcode video files (a process also known as encoding). During the encoding process, the video is compressed to a smaller, efficient file size for optimal delivery to the web and to mobile devices.
Adobe Dynamic Media Classic gives you a library of predefined video encoding presets that reflect the most common encoding settings used today. These encoding presets are optimized for playback on target screens. In addition, administrators can create their own video encoding presets to customize the size and playback quality of videos to end users. All video encoding presets, whether out-of-the-box from Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, or custom-made, output video in the MP4 file format.
On the Video Presets screen, administrators can set up and manage video encoding. They can do the following:
- Activate and deactivate video encoding presets.
- Create a video encoding preset.
- Edit video encoding presets.
- Delete video presets.
Any video that you upload to Adobe Dynamic Media Classic or that you encode in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic is treated as “video”. In other words, this asset classification means that you can deliver the video for playback on desktops, mobile devices, or both. For example, you can preview these types of videos in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic. You can also generate URLs (using the Copy URL feature) and code that you can embed (using the Embed Code feature) for use with video players, on websites, and so on.
See Preview videos in a video viewer.
See Link a video URL to a mobile site or a website.
See Embed the video viewer on a web page.
For video assets that you upload and encode in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, video is delivered in the following file format:
MP4 H.264 Use MP4 files for the following:
- HTTP Dynamic Streaming on desktops.
- HLS (HTTP Live Streaming, Apple’s streaming protocol).
- Progressive video delivery to Android™, BlackBerry®, and Windows® mobile devices.
Any other video format and codec is treated as a “Primary Video”. This asset classification means that the video is a source video file and cannot be used for delivery playback on desktops or mobile devices. For example, you cannot preview these types of videos in Adobe Dynamic Media Classic. You cannot generate Copy URLs or Embed Code for use in video players, on websites, and so on.
Filter the list of video encoding presets filtering-the-list-of-video-encoding-presets
The Video Presets page and the Adaptive Video Presets page consist of a table that lists the active status, preset name, intended playback device, video size, and data rate of each video preset.
You can refine the list by choosing to filter on Both, Active, or Inactive, to see all Video Presets or narrow the list to presets that are active or inactive.
You can also filter based on a playback device option to narrow the list to Video Presets designed for playing videos on all devices, desktop, mobile, or tablets.
To filter the list of video encoding presets:
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In Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, on the Global Navigation bar, go to Setup > Application Setup > Video Presets > Adaptive Video Presets or Single Encoding Presets.
The pages for Adaptive Video Presets and Single Encoding Presets include a table that lists the Active status, Preset name, intended Playback Device, video dimensions, and data rate of each video preset.
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On the Single Encoding Presets page called Video Presets, on the Video Presets toolbar, use the two drop-down lists to refine the list of presets in the table based on Active status, and playback device.
- On the first, narrower drop-down list, choose Both to see all Video Presets, or choose Active or Inactive or narrow the list to presets that are active or inactive.
- On the second, wider drop-down list, choose a playback device option to narrow the list to Video Presets designed for playing videos on desktops. or for playing videos on mobile or tablet devices.
Activate or deactivate video encoding presets activating-or-deactivating-video-encoding-presets
Activated Video Presets show up in the Upload Job Options dialog box. The dialog box appears when a user uploads video files during the upload process. They can choose from a list of all activated encoding presets.
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In Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, on the Global Navigation bar, go to Setup > Application Setup > Video Presets.
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Do one of the following:
- Select Adaptive Video Presets.
- Select Single Encoding Presets.
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Do one of the following:
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To activate a video preset, on the presets page, under the Active column, select the box next to a preset name.
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To deactivate a video preset, deselect the box next to the video preset that you want to make inactive.
note note NOTE Inactive Video Presets do not appear in the Upload Job Options dialog box.
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In the lower right corner of the page, select Close.
Add or edit a video encoding preset adding-or-editing-a-video-encoding-preset
You can create your own custom, single-encoding video presets and add them to the Video Presets table. You can also change any pre-defined single-encoding Video Presets that came with Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, provided you save the edited preset with a new name.
Adobe Dynamic Media Classic has set maximum limits on the target data rate, resolution height, and resolution width to ensure a proper playback experience. Warning messages appear if you exceed these limits which are the following:
- For computer playback, the limits are: (Width/16) * (Height/16) < 8192.
- For mobile playback, the limits are: (Width/16) * (Height/16) < 660; target data rate < 4000.
- For tablet playback, the limits are: (Width/16) * (Height/16) < 3600.
To add or edit a video encoding preset:
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In Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, on the Global Navigation bar, go to Setup > Application Setup > Video Presets.
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Select Single Encoding Presets.
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In the Video Presets page, do any one of the following:
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On the Video Presets toolbar, select Add so you can add a Video Preset.
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Select a Video Preset. In the toolbar, select Edit.
You cannot edit Adobe Dynamic Media Classic predefined presets; you can only create a preset from an existing one by choosing Save As.
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On the Add Video Preset page or the Edit Video Preset page, set the Video Preset options you want.
See Best practices for video encoding for recommended settings.
table 0-row-2 1-row-2 2-row-2 3-row-2 4-row-2 5-row-2 6-row-2 7-row-2 8-row-2 Video Preset option Description Preset Name Enter a descriptive name for the Video Preset. The name you enter appears in the Upload Job Options dialog box, in which users choose transcoding options. Description Describe the Video Preset. What you enter appears as a tooltip when you move the pointer over the name of the preset in the Upload Job Options dialog box in which users choose transcoding options. Playback Device Choose the device that the video is intended to play back on. The options are Computer (desktops), Mobile (iPhone, iPad, Android™); or Tablet (iPad only). This setting automatically determines the appropriate video and audio codec that is used during encoding. Target Data Rate Enter the average Internet connection speed (in kilobits per second) of the target end user. You can enter the rate or drag the slider to enter it. The User Connection Speed spectrum lists typical speeds for broadband, DSL, mobile, and dial-up connections. This setting automatically determines the combined video and audio data rate. In other words, the amount of data that is encoded to make up a single second of video playback. The higher the data rate, the better the quality of the resulting video. However, data rates that are too high result in large file sizes that create subpar viewing experiences for users with a low bandwidth. As a best practice, strike a balance between high and low data rates. Aim to create an adequate quality playback experience without alienating users who have narrow bandwidths. Aspect Ratio Aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of the video. The first two aspect ratios listed below are commonly used to display video horizontally:
- 4:3 - Used for almost all standard definition TV broadcast content.
- 16:9 - Used for almost all wide-screen content and movies on High-Definition Television (HDTV).
- Auto-scale - (Default) A single-encoding preset that works with any aspect ratio to create videos for delivery to mobile, tablet, and desktop. Uploaded source videos that are encoded with this preset are set with a fixed height. However, the width automatically scales to preserve the video’s aspect ratio (width to height ratio).
- Custom - Used when you want to define a non-standard video size.
- The aspect ratio that you choose determines the width and the height settings for the Resolution Size; the width and the height value automatically scale to the proper aspect ratio.
Resolution Size Resolution size, expressed by the number of pixels wide by the number of pixels high, determines the size. Enter a width and a height value in pixels or drag the slider to enter these values. The Resolution spectrum lists typical resolution sizes. The width value and the height value automatically adhere to the aspect ratio that you selected. For example, if you select 4:3 as the aspect ratio and enter 400 for width, 300 is entered automatically for height. If you selected Auto-scale for the Aspect Ratio setting, then the Width value for the Resolution Size is automatically set to Auto. Select Preview so you can open a browser window and see your resolution choices there. Encode File Suffix Enter a suffix. This suffix is appended to the resulting encoded video file. You can enter a hyphen and underscore in the name; blank spaces and special characters are not allowed. Other Settings Adobe Dynamic Media Classic determines all other encoding settings automatically according to best-practice encoding guidelines. -
Do one of the following:
- Select Save if you added or edited a Video Preset.
- Select Save As if you added a Video Preset by starting from an existing preset.
Delete a video encoding preset deleting-a-video-encoding-preset
Administrators can delete custom Video Presets. Video presets that come with Adobe Dynamic Media Classic cannot be deleted.
- In Adobe Dynamic Media Classic, on the Global Navigation bar, go to Setup > Application Setup > Video Presets.
- Select Single Encoding Presets.
- In the Video Presets page, select a Video Preset in the table that you no longer want or need.
- On the Video Presets toolbar, select Delete.
- In the Delete Preset dialog box, select Delete.