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Transcoding is an offline task that converts the source audio/video bitstream. It changes parameters of the source bitstream, such as codec, resolution, and bitrate, to adapt it to different devices and network conditions. The following benefits can be achieved with transcoding:

• Compatible with multiple clients: A source video can be transcoded to formats (.mp4 for example) that are compatible with more types of devices for smooth playback.
• Adapt to different bandwidths: a source video can be transcoded for output in multiple definitions such as smooth, SD, HD, and FHD. End users can select the appropriate bitrate depending on their network conditions.
• Improved playback efficiency: The moov atom can be moved from the end of an MP4 file to its beginning, so the video can be played before it is entirely downloaded.
• Watermarking: you can add a watermark to a video to mark ownership or copyright. For more information, please see Watermarking.
• Reduce bandwidth usage: use advanced encoding modes (H.265 for example) for transcoding to reduce the bitrate of a video substantially with the original quality retained, thus lowering the payback bandwidth usage.

After a video is transcoded, the playback URL of the output video can be obtained according to Getting the Result. You can use your own player or a third-party player to play back the output video.

Note：

The transcoding feature is mainly suitable for UGSV scenarios. For long video scenarios (video websites, online education, etc.), adaptive bitrate streaming can deliver a better user experience.

Transcoding Template

The target specification of an output video after transcoding is specified by parameters such as codec, resolution, and bitrate. VOD integrates these parameters in the transcoding template as shown below:

Note：

For more audio/video transcoding types, see Supported transcoding types.

VOD provides a List of Preset Parameter Templates for common transcoding specifications. You can also create and manage custom transcoding templates on the console (see Template Settings for detailed directions) or through server API.

Initiating a Task

There are three ways to initiate a transcoding task, namely, directly initiating through server API, directly initiating through the console, and specifying a task upon upload. For more information, please see Video Processing Task System for video processing.

Methods of initiating transcoding tasks:

• Call the server API ProcessMedia to initiate a task: specify the transcoding template ID in the MediaProcessTask.TranscodeTaskSet parameter in the request.
• Initiate a task on a video through the console: add a task flow in the console, set the specifications of transcoding output in it, and use it to initiate video processing.
• Specify a task upon upload from server: add a task flow in the console, set the specifications of transcoding output in it, and specify it as the procedure parameter in the ApplyUpload API.
• Specify a task upon upload from client: add a task flow in the console, set the specifications of transcoding output in it, and specify it as the procedure parameter in the signature for upload from client.
• Upload through console: add a task flow in the console, set the specifications of transcoding output in it, upload a video through the console, select Process Video During Upload, and specify to execute this task flow upon video upload completion.

Getting the Result

After initiating a transcoding task, you can wait for result notification asynchronously or perform task query synchronously to get the task execution result. Below is an example of getting the result notification in normal callback (the fields with null value are omitted):

{
  "EventType":"ProcedureStateChanged",
  "ProcedureStateChangeEvent":{
      "TaskId":"1256768367-Procedure-2e1af2456351812be963e309cc133403t0",
      "Status":"FINISH",
      "FileId":"5285890784246869930",
      "FileName":"Animal World",
      "FileUrl":"http://1256768367.vod2.myqcloud.com/xxx/xxx/AtUCmy6gmIYA.mp4",
      "MetaData":{
          "AudioDuration":60,
          "AudioStreamSet":[
              {
                  "Bitrate":383854,
                  "Codec":"aac",
                  "SamplingRate":48000
              }
          ],
          "Bitrate":1021028,
          "Container":"mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2",
          "Duration":60,
          "Height":480,
          "Rotate":0,
          "Size":7700180,
          "VideoDuration":60,
          "VideoStreamSet":[
              {
                  "Bitrate":637174,
                  "Codec":"h264",
                  "Fps":23,
                  "Height":480,
                  "Width":640
              }
          ],
          "Width":640
      },
      "MediaProcessResultSet":[
          {
              "Type":"Transcode",
              "TranscodeTask":{
                  "Status":"SUCCESS",
                  "ErrCode":0,
                  "Message":"",
                  "Input":{
                      "Definition":220
                  },
                  "Output":{
                      "Url":"http://1256768367.vod2.myqcloud.com/xxx/xxx/v.f20.m3u8",
                      "Size":63120997,
                      "Container":"mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2",
                      "Height":480,
                      "Width":640,
                      "Bitrate":513402,
                      "Md5":"084d403c73930ca2f835679af1f37bd3",
                      "Duration":60,
                      "VideoStreamSet":[
                          {
                              "Bitrate":473101,
                              "Codec":"h264",
                              "Fps":24,
                              "Height":480,
                              "Width":640
                          }
                      ],
                      "AudioStreamSet":[
                          {
                              "Bitrate":48581,
                              "Codec":"aac",
                              "SamplingRate":44100
                          }
                      ],
                      "Definition":220
                  }
              }
          }
      ],
      "TasksPriority":0,
      "TasksNotifyMode":""
  }
}

In the callback result, ProcedureStateChangeEvent.MediaProcessResultSet contains the transcoding result with Type as Transcode and Definition as 220.