Complete Video Encoding Guide
Published on Jan 11, 2026
Video encoding format directly affects M3U8 streaming quality, file size, and compatibility. This guide helps you understand different codecs and choose the best option.
๐ฌ What is Video Encoding?
Video codec is an algorithm for compressing and decompressing video data. Raw video data is huge - 1 second of 1080p video needs about 150MB. Encoding can reduce this to a few MB or even hundreds of KB.
The core challenge of encoding is balancing file size and quality. More efficient encoding means smaller files at the same quality, or better quality at the same file size.
๐ Major Codec Comparison
| Codec | Year | Relative Bitrate | Device Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 (AVC) | 2003 | 100% (baseline) | 99% |
| H.265 (HEVC) | 2013 | ~50% | 85% |
| VP9 | 2013 | ~50% | 75% |
| AV1 | 2018 | ~30% | 60% |
* Relative bitrate: bitrate needed for same quality, lower is better
๐ Codec Details
H.264 (AVC)
2003โ Pros
- โข Best compatibility, supported by almost all devices
- โข Fast encoding
- โข Widespread hardware acceleration
- โข Mature and stable
โ Cons
- โข Lower compression efficiency
- โข Larger 4K video files
- โข Patent fees
H.265 (HEVC)
2013โ Pros
- โข 40-50% better compression than H.264
- โข Preferred for 4K/8K
- โข Good HDR support
โ Cons
- โข Slower encoding
- โข High patent fees
- โข Some browsers lack support
VP9
2013โ Pros
- โข Royalty-free
- โข YouTube preferred
- โข Native Chrome/Firefox support
โ Cons
- โข Poor Safari/iOS support
- โข Slow encoding
- โข Limited hardware acceleration
AV1
2018โ Pros
- โข Highest compression efficiency
- โข Royalty-free
- โข Future trend
โ Cons
- โข Extremely slow encoding
- โข Hardware support just starting
- โข Limited compatibility
๐ฑ M3U8/HLS Codec Compatibility
HLS protocol has specific codec requirements. Here's platform support:
| Platform | H.264 | H.265 | VP9 | AV1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS Safari | โ | โ | โ | โ ๏ธ |
| Android Chrome | โ | โ ๏ธ | โ | โ |
| Desktop Chrome | โ | โ ๏ธ | โ | โ |
| Desktop Safari | โ | โ | โ | โ ๏ธ |
| Firefox | โ | โ | โ | โ |
โ Full support | โ ๏ธ Partial support | โ Not supported
๐ก Recommendations
Maximum Compatibility
Choose H.264. While files are larger, it ensures playback on all devices. Ideal for mass-market video services.
4K/HD Video
Choose H.265. High compression efficiency significantly reduces 4K bandwidth needs. Ideal for streaming platforms.
Future-Proof
Consider AV1. While current support is limited, it's the future trend. Netflix and YouTube are actively adopting it.
๐ Summary
For M3U8 streaming, we recommend H.264 as the base codec for widest compatibility. If your target users mainly use modern devices, consider also providing H.265 versions to save bandwidth.
Learn how to convert video codecs with FFmpeg โ