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Why is Transcoding Necessary?
With the continuous innovation and upgrading of photography equipment, high-definition video (HD video) has become the standard in the digital video era. Resolutions have evolved from 1080P to 4K, and now even to 8K ultra-high-definition. This endless pursuit of improved video quality is evident not only in the works of professional photographers but also in the growing trend among ordinary users who prefer higher resolutions when shooting with smartphones or cameras. However, high-quality videos often come with large file sizes and complex compression formats, posing significant challenges for storage space and video editing software.
To address these issues, transcoding has become an essential step in video processing. Transcoding involves converting a video file from one encoding format to another, typically for compatibility or performance reasons. For example, with Wondershare Filmora, transcoding allows users to unify video files of various formats into one better suited for local processing, greatly improving editing smoothness and efficiency. While the transcoding process may take as long as the original video, it simplifies the editing workflow, enabling video creators to focus more on the creative process rather than on technical details.
Take the Sony ILME-FX3 camera as an example. This camera supports multiple video recording formats, helping users make choices based on different shooting needs:
| File Format | Features |
| XAVC HS 4K | Record 4K video in XAVC HS format. The XAVC HS format uses the HEVC codec, which offers higher compression efficiency. The camera can record dynamic images with better image quality than XAVC S format while maintaining the same data size. The dynamic footage uses Long GOP compression. |
| XAVC S 4K | Record dynamic footage in 4K resolution (3840×2160) using XAVC S format. The dynamic footage uses Long GOP compression. |
| XAVC S HD | Record dynamic footage in HD resolution (1920×1080). The dynamic footage uses Long GOP compression. |
| XAVC S-I 4K | Record dynamic footage in XAVC S-I format. The XAVC S-I format uses Intra compression for dynamic footage. Compared to Long GOP compression, this format is more suitable for editing. |
| XAVC S-I HD | Record dynamic footage in XAVC S-I format with DCI 4K resolution (4096×2160). The XAVC S-I format uses Intra compression for dynamic footage. Compared to Long GOP compression, this format is more suitable for editing. |
Intra-compression is frame-based, allowing each frame to be processed independently. This means there is no need to rely on data from other frames during editing, providing better responsiveness and flexibility.
On the other hand, Long GOP compression involves referencing data between multiple frames, offering higher compression efficiency. However, this can result in delays and stuttering during decoding and editing.
Transcoding: A Key Step to Improve Editing Efficiency
Transcoding is not just a technical requirement; it is also a crucial step in optimizing the video editing workflow. It becomes especially important in the following three situations:
- Insufficient Computer Hardware Performance: When working with video files encoded in efficient formats like HEVC or H.265, if the computer hardware cannot support hardware decoding, you may experience lag and delays during editing. This is particularly true when handling high-resolution and high-bitrate videos. Transcoding these files to a more easily decodable format (like H.264) can significantly reduce the decoding burden on the computer, making the editing process much smoother.
- High Compression Video Files: For example, video files in XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K, and XAVC S HD formats use Long GOP compression. This type of compression reduces file sizes for easier storage and transfer, but it places a greater demand on a computer's processing power during editing. Since Long GOP compression involves cross-frame data calculation, each frame's decoding requires referencing previous and subsequent frames. This makes it more complex to handle than Intra-compression. By transcoding these files to Intra format, where each frame is decoded independently, the decoding burden on editing software is simplified, resulting in improved editing efficiency.
- Variable Frame Rate (VFR) Footage: Many mobile devices or screen recording tools generate video files with Variable Frame Rate (VFR), dynamically adjusting the frame rate to optimize file size and recording efficiency. However, this can lead to issues like audio-video sync problems or editing delays. By transcoding VFR footage to a fixed frame rate (CFR) format, editing software can handle the video content more stably, ensuring better audio-video sync and improving the overall editing experience.
How Should Creators Choose the Right Format?
For video creators, selecting the right recording format is crucial, as it directly impacts the smoothness and efficiency of the creative workflow. Below is a comparison between Long GOP and Intra formats to help you make the best choice:
| Long GOP | Intra | |
| Features | - High compression ratio, achieved by multi-frame compression for greater efficiency, reducing file size. - Saves storage space. |
- Editing-friendly, with each frame independently compressed, no need to decode other frames, providing faster response time. - High image quality, avoiding cross-frame compression that can degrade quality. |
| Advantages | - Smaller file size, suitable for long-duration recording. - High storage efficiency. |
- Ideal for high-quality output. - Fast editing operations. |
| Disadvantages | - Editing is more difficult; modifying a single frame may require decoding the entire frame group, causing delays during editing. - Requires high-performance hardware with powerful processors and optimized decoders. |
- Larger file sizes, requiring more storage space. |
| Use Cases | - Long recordings, such as interviews, meetings, and press conferences. -Scenes with low editing requirements, where content integrity and storage efficiency are prioritized. |
- High-quality productions, such as films and advertisements. - Complex dynamic scenes, like sports events and nature documentaries, where preserving fine details and quality is essential. |
How to Distinguish Between Transcoding and Proxy
Transcoding and proxy are two common techniques in video editing, and their main differences lie in their purpose and processing methods:
1. Transcoding
Transcoding is the process of converting a video file from one encoding format to another to optimize the editing experience and improve compatibility. For example, transcoding a high-compression Long GOP format to Intra format, or converting HEVC (H.265) to H.264. Transcoding is typically used in the following scenarios:
- Compatibility: Some editing software may not support specific formats, so transcoding allows the video to play smoothly in the software.
- Improved Editing Efficiency: The transcoded format is usually better suited for editing, reducing lag and delays.
- Reduced Hardware Load: Transcoding from a complex encoding to a simpler format can reduce the demands on the computer's processing power.
Transcoded video files are typically larger because the chosen format offers lower compression efficiency, but this brings a smoother editing experience.
2. Proxy
A proxy file is a low-resolution "substitute" file used during the editing process to reduce the load on the computer. Unlike transcoding, proxy files do not change the encoding format of the source file, but rather create a temporary file with lower resolution and bitrate. During editing, the proxy files are used, and when exporting, the system will automatically switch back to the high-quality original file. Proxy files are typically used in the following scenarios:
- Large Files or High Resolutions: For 4K, 8K, or higher resolution videos, editing directly may cause the computer to lag. Editing with proxy files reduces system resource consumption.
- Convenient Editing: Even with average hardware, using low-resolution proxy files can provide a smoother editing experience.
- Automatic Output Switching: When exporting the final project, the system switches to the original high-resolution files to ensure the output quality is not compromised.
Summary Comparisons
| Program | Transcoding | Proxy |
| Purpose | Converts formats to improve compatibility and editing smoothness. | Generates low-resolution substitute files to reduce system load. |
| File Format | Converts to a new format (e.g., from Long GOP to Intra). | Keeps the original format, generating low-resolution proxies. |
| Use Cases | Handles incompatible or high-compression files, enhancing editing efficiency. | Used for editing high-resolution, large files to improve editing smoothness. |
| Output Quality | Both editing and output use the transcoded file, which may result in larger file sizes. | Proxy files are used during editing; the original file is used for final export to ensure the highest quality. |
In summary, transcoding is primarily used to improve compatibility and smoothness, making it suitable for handling complex encoding formats. Proxy files, on the other hand, are ideal for high-resolution videos, reducing the load on both the computer and video editing software during editing, while maintaining the highest quality in the final output.
How to Transcode Your Videos in Filmora
If you're working with large video files or need a more efficient editing experience, transcoding can help optimize your media files. In this part, we'll walk you through the simple steps to enable auto-transcoding in Wondershare Filmora, so you can streamline your editing workflow and ensure smooth performance, even with high-resolution videos.
- Go to File and then select Preference.
- A pop-up window will appear, and click Performance.
- Under Optimize Media, you'll find the option to enable Auto Transcoding.
The options "Transcoded files follow import location" and "Custom location" let you choose whether to store the transcoded files in the same folder as the original files or in a custom location of your choice.
Conclusion
Transcoding is a crucial step in every stage of video production. It not only helps us handle different video formats but also significantly improves editing efficiency and smoothness. Whether addressing hardware performance limitations or tackling the challenges posed by high-compression formats, transcoding offers creators greater convenience and creative freedom. Understanding the advantages and limitations of each compression method when choosing the right format will help you work more efficiently during creation and editing.
Filmora now detects Long GOP and variable frame rate (VFR) footage upon import and prompts you to transcode. Transcoding effectively resolves editing issues caused by hardware limitations or the complexity of video encoding, making the editing process more efficient and seamless. This is crucial for maintaining the continuity of the creative workflow and enhancing the quality of the final video product.
