Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) to improve video quality

Why use the same encoding for every video? This is what Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) answers. Every video is different, so why not adjust the settings to fit each one? Using the same encoding for all videos can waste resources and hurt quality. CAE allows us to change encoding based on things like the video's complexity, the viewer's device, and the network speed.

In this blog, we’ll explain what CAE is, how it works, how it improves on older methods like Adaptive Bitrate Streaming, and compare CAE with Content-Aware Encoding. We’ll also discuss why CAE is important for developers and content providers who want to improve video quality while saving resources.

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Basics of video encoding

Video encoding is the process of converting raw video files into a compressed format, making them easier to store, share, and play on various devices. If you're new to the concept, you can dive deeper into video encoding in our beginner’s guide here.

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What is Context-Aware Encoding (CAE)?

Context-Aware Encoding is a video encoding technology that creates custom bitrate ladders for each video, taking into account the content, device type, and network speed of the viewer.

It improves video quality by determining the ideal number of quality options (renditions), along with the appropriate resolutions and bitrates for each, based on the viewer’s device and internet connection. This ensures smoother playback across various devices and network speeds, while also lowering storage requirements and reducing the amount of bandwidth needed for streaming.

Context-Aware Encoding delivers the same quality as a traditional static ABR ladder, but with half the number of renditions. By using lower bitrates or higher resolutions for each rendition, it significantly enhances playback performance and reduces costs.

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How Context-Aware Encoding works?

Context-aware encoding (CAE) is a smart technology that optimizes video streaming by adjusting how videos are encoded based on various factors. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:

1. Video analysis: CAE starts the encoding by analysing the video and considering the devices it will be viewed on, such as smartphones, tablets, or TVs, along with their screen sizes and resolutions.
2. Custom bitrate ladder: Based on this analysis, CAE creates a unique "bitrate ladder" for each video. A bitrate ladder is a collection of video versions with different quality levels. Unlike traditional methods that use the same versions for all videos, CAE adjusts the versions to suit the unique requirements of each video.
3. Network condition prediction: While CAE doesn’t measure network conditions in real-time, it predicts these conditions by looking at historical data. For example, if many viewers use slow mobile networks, CAE will create lower-quality versions of the video to ensure smoother playback.

Once the video is encoded with its custom bitrate ladder, the best version is delivered to viewers based on their current network and device capabilities, providing a smooth streaming experience.

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Why use CAE for video streaming?

Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) offers several advantages that can make video streaming better for both viewers and content providers:

• High-quality streaming: CAE lets videos stream in high quality while using less bandwidth, making it easier for viewers to enjoy sharp visuals, even with slow internet speeds.
• Lower costs: CAE helps save up to 50% on bandwidth and storage costs by optimizing video quality and reducing the number of video versions needed for streaming.
• Efficient use of resources: CAE reduces the amount of data used during streaming, lowering costs for content delivery networks (CDNs) and decreasing storage needs.
• Faster load times: CAE reduces buffering and speeds up video loading, providing a smoother viewing experience, especially in live streams.
• Real-time adjustments: CAE continuously checks the viewer’s device and network, adjusting the video quality to ensure smooth playback without delays.

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Improving adaptive bitrate streaming using CAE

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) is a widely used technology for streaming videos smoothly. It adjusts video quality in real time based on the viewer's bandwidth and device, ensuring minimal buffering and a seamless experience. However, traditional ABR methods have room for improvement, and Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) offers a smarter, more efficient solution.

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How ABR works?

ABR streams video content from multiple renditions at different bitrates and resolutions, which are then divided into small segments. The video player switches between these resolutions in real time based on the viewer's network speed. For example, when the network is fast, it selects a higher resolution, and if the connection slows, it switches to a lower resolution to keep playback smooth.

While this adaptability ensures minimal buffering and a seamless experience, the underlying process depends on a universal "encoding ladder" that does not differentiate between content types. Whether it's a high-action sports clip or a simple animation, the same bitrate rules apply, leading to inefficiencies.

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The real problem with ABR

Traditional ABR works well but often uses a standard encoding ladder for all types of content. This approach can cause several issues:

• Over-encoding: It creates too many video versions, even when not needed, wasting storage and bandwidth. For example, simple animations don’t require as many bitrate options as sports videos.
• Quality degradation: Fixed encoding ladders can provide inadequate bitrates for complex content, causing pixelation in high-motion scenes like sports, while static content may not use the available bitrate efficiently.
• Increased bandwidth costs: Storing and delivering multiple video versions increases storage and bandwidth costs, without necessarily improving the viewer experience.

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How CAE improves ABR?

The problems with traditional ABR can be fixed by using Context-Aware Encoding (CAE), which makes video delivery more efficient.

• Efficient encoding: Unlike ABR, CAE only creates the right number of video versions based on the content's complexity. For example, sports videos require more bitrate options to maintain quality, while simple animations need fewer, optimizing storage and bandwidth usage.
• Better quality: Unlike ABR, which applies a fixed bitrate to all content, CAE dynamically adjusts the bitrate based on the video's content. High-action scenes, like sports, receive enough bitrate to prevent pixelation, while simpler scenes, such as static or low-motion content, use only the necessary bitrate. This ensures optimal quality for all content without wasting resources or impacting the viewing experience.
• Cost savings: CAE reduces unnecessary video versions and optimizes bitrate usage, cutting storage and bandwidth costs while still maintaining quality.

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Context-Aware vs Content-Aware Encoding – What's the difference?

• Content-Aware Encoding focuses solely on the video itself, analyzing its complexity (like motion or detail) to adjust encoding settings for better quality and efficiency. For example, it might allocate more bitrate to action-packed scenes while reducing it for static ones.
• Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) goes a step further by considering not just the video content but also the viewing context, factors like the viewer’s device, screen resolution, network conditions, and even playback environment. This makes CAE more dynamic, ensuring videos are tailored for optimal performance across different scenarios.

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How much can CAE reduce streaming costs?

With CAE, you can expect:

• Storage savings: By reducing unnecessary renditions, CAE can lower your storage costs by almost 67%.
• Bandwidth Savings: CAE dynamically adjusts the bitrate, reducing overall bandwidth consumption by up to 30%. This means less data is used during streaming, which translates to significant savings on delivery costs.

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For example, a typical one-minute video that would normally take up 70 MB of storage space using traditional encoding methods.

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Using context-aware encoding:

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Now, by using CAE the total storage required drops to approximately 23 MB, representing a 66% reduction in storage costs compared to traditional methods.

What’s the result?

You can see total savings of up to 50% on both storage and bandwidth costs, making your streaming process more cost-effective without sacrificing quality. Start saving today with CAE, and let your video content reach viewers more efficiently, all while keeping your expenses down.

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Save more with FastPix’s CAE integration

At FastPix, we understand the importance of both quality and cost-efficiency when it comes to streaming. That’s why we’ve video technologies like Context-Aware Encoding (CAE) pre-build into our system, helping you reduce streaming costs while maintaining an exceptional viewing experience.

With FastPix, you can easily leverage the power of CAE to:

• Reduce storage costs by up to 66%.
• Save on bandwidth with up to 30% less consumption.
• Optimize video quality without overusing resources.

Make the smart choice with FastPix. Save more, stream better.