A codec (coder-decoder) is the compression algorithm that shrinks raw video into a deliverable bitstream and reconstructs it on the device. The codec choice is one of the highest-leverage decisions in OTT: a newer codec delivers the same quality at a lower bitrate, directly cutting the dominant egress cost, but only on devices that can decode it.
That tension - efficiency versus device support - is why platforms run several codecs at once: H.264 for universal reach, HEVC and AV1 for efficiency on capable devices, with VVC emerging. Codecs also differ in licensing cost and encoding complexity, so codec strategy is as much a business and compatibility decision as a technical one.
The handbook · 7 volumes
Fora Soft Video Engineering Handbook
The codec you pick sets picture quality, bitrate, and which devices can play your catalog at all. The seven volumes cover the full video stack; for codec strategy start with Volume 1 on H.264, HEVC, AV1, encoder settings, and quality metrics, then Volume 2 on packaging and Volume 3 on players and delivery cost. Written by Nikolay Sapunov, CEO at Fora Soft.
Choosing a codec mix for your OTT catalog across phones, browsers, and TVs?
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