🪄 What is encoding?

Encoding is the process of converting content, like video or audio, into a specific format that can be easily displayed or played on devices such as screens or media players. Without encoding, the raw data would be unreadable by these devices.

In simple terms, encoding helps to:

• Reduce file size: this makes the content easier to store and share.
• Ensure compatibility: different devices or platforms need content in specific formats (like MP4 for video). Encoding makes sure the content works on all of them.
• Optimize quality: encoding adjusts the content to look and sound its best on different screens and speakers.

In short, encoding turns content into a form that devices can understand and display properly.

❓ Why is encoding needed for digital signage?

In a signage network, the same content may play on many different players and screens, often around the clock. Encoding your media before publishing makes that reliable:

• Smooth playback on players: media players have limited hardware. Content encoded to a supported codec and profile plays without stutter or dropped frames.
• Consistent results across devices: a single, well-encoded file behaves the same on every screen, instead of working on one player and failing on another.
• Faster delivery: smaller, optimized files reach your devices more quickly and use less bandwidth, which matters when publishing to many locations.
• Lower storage use: compressed media takes up less space on both the platform and the devices.

Publishing un-encoded or incompatibly encoded media is the most common cause of content that fails to play, or plays poorly, on screen.

🎯 Encoding your content

To prepare your media for Voome, use the recommended HandBrake preset. See the HandBrake encoding preset guide for how to download HandBrake, import the Voome preset, and encode your files.