Normal

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Arushi_.webp

Arushi Gupta

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Video trends

What if I told you there was a magic potion to skyrocket your e-commerce success, a secret that could transform browsing into buying with just a click of the play button?

&nbsp;

Yes, I am talking about product videos. In the world of online shopping, where clicks dictate success, these dynamic visual creatures have an unmatched influence. Today, we will unveil seven compelling statistics that shed light on the impact of product videos in shaping the fortunes of e-commerce businesses. 

&nbsp;

Let’s dive in. 

## **1. Video is the # 1 content type used by marketers to sell products and services.**

As per Hubspot’s [State of Marketing Report](https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing/content-marketing), marketers unveiled that video is the top content type being produced, surpassing blogs for the first time ever. What are some video formats in which e-commerce businesses enable a flawless shopping experience?

&nbsp;

- **Product Demonstrations:** Marketers use video to showcase the features and benefits of their products through interactive demonstrations, allowing potential customers to see the product in action and understand how it can solve their needs.
- **Customer Testimonials:** Marketers leverage video testimonials from satisfied customers to build credibility and trust, providing social proof of the product's effectiveness and generating confidence in potential buyers.
- **How-to Guides and Tutorials:** Marketers create instructional videos that guide viewers through the process of using their products or services, empowering customers with valuable information and reducing barriers to purchase.
- **Storytelling:** Marketers use video to tell compelling stories that resonate with their target audience, tapping into emotions and creating a connection that goes beyond product features, thus increasing engagement and brand loyalty.
- **Behind-the-Scenes Content:** Marketers offer behind-the-scenes glimpses into their company culture, manufacturing processes, or product development journey, humanizing the brand and fostering a sense of transparency and authenticity among customers.

## **2. Companies witness 49% faster year-on-year revenue growth when they use videos**

As per a report by [Aberdeen Group](http://awesome.vidyard.com/rs/273-EQL-130/images/Vidyard_Aberdeen_Impact_of_Video_Marketing.pdf), companies which use videos in their marketing strategy show 49% faster year-on-year revenue growth than companies who don’t. This proves that videos have a significant impact on conversion rates. Whether it's a product demo, customer testimonial, or explainer video, compelling video content effectively communicates the value proposition of a product or service, helping to persuade potential customers to make a purchase. As conversion rates improve, companies can experience faster revenue growth year over year.

## **3. More than half of marketers invest in some sort of product-related video.**

As stated in a [Hubspot report](https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing), close to 25% of marketers invest in product promotion videos and nearly 20% of them invest in product demos. 

&nbsp;

This statistic highlights the widespread adoption of product videos among marketing professionals. From a marketer’s perspective, they feel that, ‘By investing in high-quality product videos, they are able to differentiate themselves from competitors and leave a lasting impression on consumers.’

## **4. 73% of people who view a product video will make a purchase**.

As per a report by [Animoto](https://animoto.com/blog/business/small-business-video-infographic), the tendency of a consumer to become a customer is 73% after they watch a product video. Well, the impact of product videos on purchase behavior is obvious. Now why do videos have such a massive impact on the decision of a consumer?

&nbsp;

- **Increased product understanding:** Product videos provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the product's features, benefits, and use cases, allowing them to make more informed purchasing decisions.
- **Enhanced trust and confidence:** Watching a product video builds trust and confidence in the product, as viewers can see it in action and gauge its performance before making a purchase, reducing the perceived risk associated with buying online.
- **Emotional connection:** Product videos have the power to evoke emotions and create a connection with viewers, making them more likely to develop a positive association with the product and feel compelled to buy.
- **Reduced returns:** By providing a clear depiction of the product through video, businesses can help customers accurately assess whether it meets their needs, thereby reducing the likelihood of returns and exchanges, which ultimately benefits both the consumer and the retailer.

## **5. Websites with video see 41% more traffic from search engines.**

Their visitors also stay on average 81% longer, says a report by [Netimperative](http://www.netimperative.com/2017/03/top-tips-unlocking-value-video-e-commerce/). This surge in traffic on a website can be attributed to several factors. 

&nbsp;

- Firstly, search engines like Google prioritize websites with diverse and engaging content, including videos, in their search algorithms.
- Additionally, videos are highly shareable across social media platforms, leading to greater exposure and referral traffic back to the website.
- And lastly, video content enhances user experience by providing dynamic and immersive content that captures and retains viewer attention, leading to longer session durations and lower bounce rates.

Hence as a result, websites with video content not only attract more organic traffic from search engines but also enjoy higher engagement levels, ultimately driving overall website success.

## **6. 71% of consumers prefer video over other marketing content.**

As per a [report](http://multichannelmerchant.com/infographics/are-you-meeting-the-shoppers-product-video-expectations-14082013/) shared on shopper experience, consumers make decisions faster when they view a video related to a product or service. 

&nbsp;

Imagine, you're on Amazon.com to purchase a Macbook Air. You search for it on the website and a variety of options show up. You’re confused. Which one should you go for? Do you just decide based on product reviews? How do you make a decision? You wouldn’t invest $1000 on a product you aren’t confident about, would you? 

This is where video comes into play. It clarifies what the product is, helping you make a decision and invest in the right place. 

## **7. 85% of Gen Z prefer branded videos and user-generated content (UGC) over other formats.**

As digital natives who have grown up in the age of social media and smartphones, [Gen Z consumers](https://www.danacommunications.com/generation-z-vs-millennials/) value authenticity, creativity, and peer recommendations when they decide to purchase a product. They are ready to put in the time to watch hour-long videos to be completely aware before making a decision. 

As per the report, a large percentage of the Gen Z population looks up to YouTube stars—who are typically “regular” people who happen to have a large following—as their tastemakers and prefer viewing content made by them.

&nbsp;

In conclusion, the statistics speak for themselves – product videos are a powerful tool for driving e-commerce success. By investing in compelling and informative video content, businesses can engage their audience, drive conversions, and stay ahead of the curve. 

&nbsp;

*If you are an e-commerce business that would like to add video functionality to your website or your business, [api.video](http://api.video) can be just the right solution. It is easy, does not break your bank and makes for a video partner. [Sign-up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) now and see it for yourself!*

7 eye-opening stats that prove the impact of product videos in e-commerce

7 Compelling Facts about Videos in Ecommerce

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api.video

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Case Studies

Selling your products online is the best way to reach the right customers today. And integrating videos to showcase your products just elevates the experience. Videos enable customers to resonate with your products and services better, and build a connection that text or photos cannot. 

&nbsp;

In this blog, we'll see how api.video can help you implement video functionality to your marketplace app or website. 

&nbsp;

Now before we proceed, what do we mean when we say ‘marketplace’?

## What is a marketplace?

An online marketplace aggregates services and products from different providers in one platform. This means that multiple vendors can operate in the same product category, making such a platform more complex than a simple webshop. This approach gives consumers the benefit of being able to choose products that are cheaper, or vendors that have better reviews.  

For example, your app or website could:

- offer French language courses from multiple e-learning platforms
- list freelancers who offer dog-walking and plant-sitting services in a specific city
- enable users to buy bubble tea and display all nearby tea shops on a map

&nbsp;

Whether you’re inviting B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to consumer), your vendors and their buyers can all benefit from video functionality. Vendors can upload videos to better showcase their services or products, and they can upload ads for their store and promotional videos about a specific product they sell. They can also ease the workload on their support teams by offering user instructions or troubleshooting videos directly through your platform.

&nbsp;

Let’s see how you can achieve this with api.video!

&nbsp;

_*Have an e-learning platform instead of marketplace? We [have something](https://api.video/blog/case-studies/e-learning-use-case/) for you too!*_

## How videos can improve user experience

We have selected some features that show how video functionality can directly improve usability for your vendors, and enhance the shopping experience for buyers. Using api.video’s [VOD product](https://docs.api.video/vod), you can:

&nbsp;

- enable vendors to make their product offering more marketable by uploading product showcases and promotional videos,
- enable vendors to upload user instruction or troubleshooting videos for their products or services,
- allow buyers to upload video reviews, like unboxing videos,
- use metadata to easily match video content to vendors or products through custom key-value pairs. 

&nbsp;

Here’s an example:
    
    

  

_*We have created an in-depth API showcase that focuses on metadata and its use cases. Check out the blog [here](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/video-metadata/)!*_

&nbsp;
    
- handle customer complaints through video - ask buyers to upload short videos and use them to validate claims, and reduce the amount of fraudulent complaints. You can use `metadata` to tie the underlying layer of information to the complaint videos.

&nbsp;
    
Here’s an example:

- give vendors the functionality to restrict videos from their buyers. For example, if you want to ensure an age-appropriate experience, you can restrict content that is not suitable for underage buyers. You can also enable vendors to offer private videos to their buyers through your platform.

&nbsp;

Now that we have some interesting functionalities laid out, let’s dive into the specific features of api.video that can help you implement these.

## **Features that will help you sell**

Check out the complete list of features that api.video offers [on our website](https://api.video/features/). To stay on track with the online marketplace use case, we have collected some of our features that are especially useful for apps or websites targeting this industry:

&nbsp;

- Use [upload tokens](https://docs.api.video/vod/delegated-upload-tokens) to enable vendors to upload videos, or to enable buyers to upload video reviews or log video complaints. You control when an upload token expires, and you can even create single-use tokens.
- Manage access to videos using the [private videos feature](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/video-privacy-access-management). For example, if your marketplace sells alcoholic beverages or tobacco, you can restrict product videos in these categories so they are only visible for buyers who are of legal age.
- Use [video tags and metadata](https://docs.api.video/vod/tags-metadata) to add an extra layer of information to video content. With metadata, you can define custom key-value pairs and store relevant data with every video.
- Set up [domain referrer restrictions](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/domain-referrer) to make sure that your vendors’ videos are protected and that content can only be played in your app or website.
- Enable vendors to add annotations like [captions](https://docs.api.video/vod/add-captions) to their videos to improve user experience. Captions can make your marketplace’s video content more inclusive by inviting global audiences, including users who are hard-of-hearing or deaf.
- Enable vendors to brand their videos using [watermarks](https://docs.api.video/vod/add-a-permanent-watermark) like company logos.
- If you’re developing your marketplace using a CMS, check out api.video’s available [no-code plugins](https://docs.api.video/sdks/nocode). These enable you to implement video functionality without needing to write any code.
- Use Analytics to get data about customer activity like number of views on the product video, number of times the video was played, and many more engagement metrics.

## What’s next?

If you have any questions or want us to confirm something about your online marketplace or e-commerce use case, [book a call with us to get in touch](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us)!

&nbsp;

[Sign up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) for a free sandbox account now to start using api.video and see how all this works in practice!

&nbsp;

_What if you already have a marketplace platform, but your videos are hosted by Azure Media Services? Dive into [this blog post](https://api.video/blog/video-trends/Azure-Media-Services-transition-challenges/) for some recommendations on how to tackle migration challenges when moving to a new video platform._

Give your marketplace business a boost with api.video

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Marketplace.webp

live - create

Videos - Upload a Thumbnail

Doug Sillars

Tutorials

NodeJS

JavaScript

When publishing a video on the web, sometimes it is desirable to add a defining mark on the video, often called a watermark.

When you use api.video in the sandbox, we add a watermark to show that the videos are being played back in our test environment:


Perhaps you want to add your corporate logo in the corner of the video.  Or perhaps the class name.  There are a number of different reasons you might want to add a watermark to your video, and in this post, I'll walk through two approaches to add a watermark to your videos. 

NOTE: We now have watermarking available as part of the API. Check out the new way to update content here: [https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Watermarks#upload-a-watermark](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Watermarks#upload-a-watermark)
 
## The watermark

In this study, we'll be adding the api.video logo as our watermark.  I (randomly) chose to insert the logo in the top right corner of the video.



Your watermark should be appropriately sized for the space in the video.  In this case 100x100 pixels to fit inside a 1920x1080 video (~5%x10% of the screen). 

I have adapted the [record.a.video](https://record.a.video) app to add a watermark and you can test it at [watermark.a.video](https://watermark.a.video), and in this app, I have provided 2 ways to add the watermark: the frontend and the backend.  

If the box is checked, the watermark is inserted on the frontend. If unchecked, the watermark is added on the backend.  The field allows you to change the image being added as a watermark.  

## Frontend Watermark

In the watermark.a.video application, the screen (screenCaptureAPI) and the camera (MediaRecorded API) are drawn to a canvas.  I've [described this process in detail](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/building-record-a-video-the-screencapture-api/) with code samples. The canvas is refreshed every 20ms, giving 50 FPS video on the canvas.  

To add a watermark, I simply load the image into the app, and instead of only drawing the screen (videoElem) and the camera (cameraElem), I add the watermarkImg:

```
        console.log("FE watermark", canvasWatermark);
        //load watermark image
        var watermarkImg = new Image;
        watermarkImg.src = canvasWatermark;
            //draw the 2 streams to the canvas
            drawCanvas(videoElem, cameraElem,watermarkImg,ctx);

```

Inside the drawCanvas function, I draw the watermakrImg on top of the other 2 elements (by placing it last in the list of things drawn):

```
    function drawCanvas(screenIn, cameraIn,watermarkImg, canvas){
        var textLength = 60;
        canvas.drawImage(screenIn, screenX0,screenY0, screenX1, screenY1);
        canvas.drawImage(cameraIn, cameraX0, cameraY0, cameraX1, cameraY1);
        canvas.drawImage(watermarkImg, watermark_x, watermark_y);
```

For this demo, I have hardcoded the watermark to be in the upper right corner, so watermark_x = watermark_y = 25.


## Backend Watermark

Perhaps the watermarking for your videos needs to be hardcoded into your process, or you do not want your users to be able to modify the watermark. Adding a processing step in the backend to insert a watermark makes this easy.

> Note that this approach oly works on a live stream, and not with the video on demand.  The VOD recording is done completely on the front end.

In the [record.a.video](https://record.a.video) app, livestreams are sent to a NodeJS server, where the WebRTC video recorded by the browser is converted to RTMP for ingestion into the api.video livestream server.  This conversion is done with FFMPEG.  We can simply modify the FFMPEG command insert the watermark on top of the video while it is being transcoded.  

```
			var ops = [
				'-i', socket._watermarkUrl,
				'-i','-',		
         '-preset', 'ultrafast', '-tune', 'zerolatency', 
			       '-r', framerate, '-g', framerate*2, '-keyint_min',keyint_min, 
				'-filter_complex', '[1:v][0:v] overlay=25:25',
     				'-c:a', 'aac', '-b:a','44k', '-ar', 44100, 
			        '-f', 'flv', socket._rtmpDestination		
		
		];

```

The FFMPEG options for watermarking has 2 lines added to the code from record.a.video.

```
				'-i', socket._watermarkUrl,
```

We have to give the URL of the image to add as the watermark.

```
	'-filter_complex', '[1:v][0:v] overlay=25:25',
```

The filter complex tells FFMPEG the order of the overlay.  Since I add the watermark first (index 0), and then the video stream(index 1) - we place the video stream first, and then the watermark on top, with an offset of 25x25.

FFMPEG reads the image file and just inserts it on each frame encoded to the api.video server.

### Watermark addition

In both cases, the live video that is sent to api.video has the watermark added. In the first case it is added in the browser as the video is being recorded, and in the second case, it is inserted by FFMPEG during a transcoding step.

Here's what the resulting video looks like:




In either case, you can see that we have successfully added the api.video logo as a watermark in the upper right corner.  Try out the demo: [watermark.a.video](https://watermark.a.video).  If you want to add watermarks to your videos - try out [api.video](https://dashboard.api.video/register). Feel free to fork the repo on [Github](https://github.com/dougsillars/watermarkavideo) and try it out yourself! And you can check out all the API reference documentation here: [api.video API Reference documentation](https://docs.api.video/reference). If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know on our [communtiy forum](https://community.api.video/). 



Watermarking your video or live stream

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Erikka Innes

If you're researching video marketing for your business, no doubt you've seen videos grouped into all different categories, with varying definitions. There's discussions about unboxing videos, how-tos, explainer videos, ads, product demos, testimonials, behind-the-scenes videos and more. They're all useful, but when and where? How do you choose what's right for your company? The answer lies in the details of your customer journey. 

## A Few Statistics
Here's a few statistics to convince you that video marketing is a great idea:
* 64% of businesses said in the last 12 months, a video on Facebook resulted in a new client. (Animoto, 2020)
* 83% of video marketers say video has helped them generate leads. (Wyzowl, 2020)
* 95% of video marketers said they felt they'd increased understanding of their product or service using video. (Wyzowl, 2020) 
* 93% of brands got a new customer because of a video on social media. (Wyzowl, 2020) 

(Stats from hubspot's [marketing statistics](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics) page.)

## Put Yourself in the Customer's Shoes
When a customer wants to buy a new product or service, they go through a few phases: 

1. Research. Customer processes vary depending on budget, whether they're in a hurry, and what their goals are. But they're going to do some type of research. If they land on your site, and you want to use video content, a video that introduces your product and your brand is great. Depending on what you offer, your video could: 
* Be a demo of how your product works 
* Quickly explain the service you offer with an interesting animation or discussion from an expert
* A display of your product from different angles 

According to Wyzowl, 84% of people say that they’ve been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand’s video. (Source: https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics)

2. Product Comparison. The customer selects a few products, but now it's time to decide which one is the best. This can be a stressful, emotional time in the customer's journey, especially if they are about to buy an expensive product or service. To help the customer out, you could offer videos that: 
* Provide a testimonial about your product
* Offers details about features that make your product the best choice and includes statistics about how many happy customers you have 
* Unbox your product - show off the high quality experience and product they will receive, from the moment it arrives at their door 

79% of consumers have watched a video testimonial to learn more about a company, product or service. ([Wyzowl](https://www.wyzowl.com/testimonials-statistics/)) And according to [YouTube Data](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/youtube-unboxing-videos-watch-time/), "the amount of time people have spent watching unboxing videos just on their phones is the equivalent of watching the holiday classic "Love Actually" more than 20 million times."

3. Product Story. Some customers need additional encouragement to buy a product. A product isn't just the best because of what it has to offer, it's sometimes about how a product or service appeals to a customer's emotions. If it's for work, maybe buying your service helps your customer be more successful. If it's a personal product, maybe buying the product makes a hobby more fun or interesting. Help the customer imagine life with your product. You can easily do this with videos that:
* Are brand ads, show what kind of lives people lead at work or in their personal life because of your product
* Offer advice or tips about how to choose the product or work with the product

These videos and the other types we've talked about can help you convert a customer to a sale. In fact the website analytics company [Kissmetrics](https://blog.kissmetrics.com/product-videos-conversion) says "Website visitors who view a product video are up to 85% more likely on average to purchase that product."

4. Product Choice. After being reassured they're making the right choice, the customer finally chooses your product. You might nurture them and their purchase with useful tutorials or videos that help them get started using their product. These can help cut down on support calls and increase customer satisfaction. 

There are many ways that adding video marketing to your website can help you, including boosting your [SEO ranking](https://api.video/blog/video-trends/how-does-video-content-boost-your-seo-and-site-ranking/). If you're ready to get started building your own video platform, api.video can help you. 



How can video marketing help sell your products and services

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How video marketing can help you sell your products and services

In a world where attention spans are shorter than an Instagram cat video, integrating videos into your product can be your secret weapon to grab eyeballs, build connections, and turn clicks into conversions. But with the immense information available on the internet, how do you filter the best video API for your business? 

&nbsp;
 
Here’s a list of top 5 video APIs, with detailed information about what they do and their pros and cons. Let’s start! 

&nbsp;
 

## What are video APIs and why do I need them?

Video APIs are tools that let you add video capabilities to your products or services without building everything from scratch. They handle complex tasks like uploading, encoding, streaming, and playback, saving time and effort. Using video APIs means quicker and cost-effective integration, enhancing user experience with engaging video content. You could be using video APIs for boosting customer engagement or creating a feature-rich app – in both cases, they do the job of simplifying the process, making your offering more appealing and competitive.

&nbsp;

## The best video APIs in 2023

Let us look at the top 5 video APIs that will help you manage your videos and live-streams efficiently.

&nbsp;

### **1. Api.video**

[Api.video](https://api.video/) ranks at the top when it comes to building an app for live streaming videos or creating video-on-demand. The video API lets you build on-demand and livestream videos directly from your application, website or software. What makes api.video the best video streaming API is its scalability, [easy-to-understand documentation](https://docs.api.video/), and affordable [pricing.](https://api.video/pricing/). We also recently launched the Analytics feature – that helps you analyze your users, videos, and live streams.

&nbsp;

Another unique [feature](https://api.video/features/) of api.video is that it does not increase the prices with improvement in quality, that is – we charge you the same for 480 p and 4K resolution. There's also zero platform fee and you only pay for what you use. With volume discounts in place, your costs decrease when the volume increases. 

&nbsp;

**Pros:**

&nbsp;

- Simple and extremely user-friendly API for video hosting and streaming.
- Real-time analytics for viewer engagement.
- Built-in transcoding and adaptive streaming.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model so you pay only for what you use
- Ability to white-label your videos

&nbsp;
 
**Cons:**

&nbsp;
 
- You need a developer to implement the video API 

&nbsp;
 

_Don’t believe what we say? [Talk to our team](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us) or [sign-up ](https://dashboard.api.video/register)for a sandbox box and test the features of api.video for yourself._

&nbsp;
 
### **2. Vimeo**

Vimeo is one of the most popular video streaming API. It is a valuable asset for businesses aiming to incorporate video into their business models without requiring dedicated technical resources of their own. It uses multiple languages like PHP, Python, and Node.js, making it usable by and accessible to a larger variety of businesses. Vimeo is so popular also because of its features of Video Player API, Upload API and Embed API, which give the user immense flexibility of options while creating and editing their content.

&nbsp;

**Pros:**

&nbsp;
 
- Robust video management and organization.
- Customizable video player and embed options.
- Rich video analytics for insights into viewer behavior.
- Privacy settings and access controls.
- Integration possibilities with applications and workflows.
- Offers APIs for developers.

&nbsp;
 

**Cons:**

&nbsp;
 
- Costs can vary based on storage, bandwidth, and features.
- Limited free tier with some restrictions.
- Dependency on an external service for streaming.

### **3. Wowza**

The API provides a range of features, including adaptive bitrate streaming, real-time analytics, and customizable player options. Wowza Video API simplifies the complexities of video streaming, enabling users to deliver high-quality content to global audiences with ease. You could be building interactive live events or deploying video-on-demand services, Wowza Video API is a good option for building video streaming experiences.

&nbsp;
 

**Pros:**

&nbsp;
 
- Advanced streaming capabilities for both live streaming and video-on-demand.
- Scalable infrastructure that can accommodate various streaming demands.
- Customizable video players to align with branding.
- Support for multi-platform compatibility, reaching a wider audience.
- Low latency streaming for real-time applications.
- Security features, including secure streaming and authentication.
- Analytics and monitoring tools for insights.

&nbsp;

**Cons:**

&nbsp;
 
- Complex for those new to streaming APIs.
- Higher costs for advanced features.

### 4. **Muvi**

Muvi Video API is one among the best API for video streaming as it lets developers easily integrate video streaming capabilities into their websites or apps without much technical complexity. It provides a simple and user-friendly solution to stream videos, manage content, and offer an immersive viewing experience to users. With Muvi Video API, you can customize your video player, securely deliver content, and even monetize your videos through pay-per-view or subscription models. 

&nbsp;

**Pros:**

&nbsp;
 
- End-to-end video streaming solution covering content hosting to monetization.
- Customizable platform for creating branded apps and websites.
- Multi-device compatibility.
- Built-in security features.
- No revenue-sharing model, allowing you to keep your earnings.

&nbsp;

**Cons:**

&nbsp;
 
- Slightly complex for setting up and managing a full-fledged streaming platform.
- Potentially higher costs for comprehensive features.

### 5. **Twilio**

Twilio Video API stands out for its versatility, allowing smooth integration of video communication across various platforms like web, mobile, and IoT devices. It offers a wide range of communication options beyond standard video chat, such as multi-party conferencing, screen sharing, and recording. Additionally, Twilio's robust infrastructure ensures low-latency and high-quality video streams, making it ideal for real-time applications like virtual events, online collaboration, and telemedicine. The API's reliable global reach, multi-platform support, and extensive developer tools make it an apt as a comprehensive and powerful solution for video communication needs.

&nbsp;
 

**Pros:**

&nbsp;
 
- Comprehensive communication platform that includes video capabilities.
- Scalable and reliable infrastructure.
- APIs for embedding video into applications.
- Integration with other Twilio communication tools.

&nbsp;
 

**Cons:**

&nbsp;
 
- Primarily designed for communication with video as an added feature.
- Might require additional development effort to fully integrate video functionality.

&nbsp;

Video APIs have changed how we engage with online videos. These tools easily add video features to apps, sites, and services, letting developers create interactive video experiences. Live streaming, playback, and content analysis become simple with video APIs, improving viewing. 

&nbsp;
 

Now that you know all about video APIs and the best recommendations for the same, let’s get streaming! 

&nbsp;
 

_[Sign-up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) for a free sandbox account to try out api.video’s video API, or [talk to our team](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us) to get a demo._



These 5 Powerful Video APIs can help you Boost your Business

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Analytics with api.video

A Guide to Video Encoding & Video Codecs

Start your video project with api.video Next.js boilerplate

api.video Next.js boilerplate: start your video project the easy way

Boost your business with these 5 powerful video APIs

How to optimize your marketplace business with api.video

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Analytics

Video Sessions (Analytics)

In the classic movie *Field of Dreams*, a mysterious voice whispers to Kevin Costner “if you build it, they will come.”  


<video autoplay muted loop>
		<source src="https://media.giphy.com/media/gZuxOq7zSL5DO/giphy.mp4">
</video><br/><br/>


His belief of this statement completely transformed his life and drove him to build a baseball stadium in the middle of a cornfield in Iowa… and they came…<br/>


<video autoplay muted loop>
		<source src="https://media.giphy.com/media/z3WMjg3hu3ce4/giphy.mp4">
</video><br/><br/>


## If you Stream it...

You've created some awesome videos, and uploaded them to api.video.  Great work - it looks awesome.  

Here is a video that we posted in our blog post announcing our new video player:

<iframe src="https://embed.api.video/vod/viTLpKB231ATWOWjkHgi9bf#autoplay#loop" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br/><br/>

## ...Who will come?

Eventually you want to know, how many people came to see my video?  What can I learn about them? Enter api.video’s powerful [video analytics](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Analytics) API. Using the API, we can transfer all of the view data form our videos into our favourite database, and learn about the viewers of our videos.

Let’s start with grabbing the viewing details for a video. In this case, I’ll use this Planets video that my daughter recorded for her class on astronomy:

<iframe src="https://embed.api.video/vod/vi16NDdXmGxk5QSggW54qw0v#autoplay#loop"  frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

The url for this video is: https://embed.api.video/vod/vi16NDdXmGxk5QSggW54qw0v

First I must [authenticate](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/authentication-tutorial/) myself at API.video, and I receive an access token that is good for an hour.

With the token, I can use the videoId to request all of the view information about my video with the [analytics API](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Analytics).  The videoId for the video is the value at the end of the url (vi16NDdXmGxk5QSggW54qw0v):




In this case, I am requesting 25 results per page, and page one of the data.  That’s actually fine, since I know there are only 19 views on this video.  

The JSON result is pretty long, but here is what one entry looks like:


To me, this is super cool.  A person in Vietnam, using Firefox on Ubuntu, watched this video in June!  And there are 18 more of these to look at and to parse.

### Demo

We have created a demo that takes a videoId and counts the country, device and browser for each view, and places the results on a page. You can try it out at [whoswatched.a.video](https://whoswatched.a.video).

In order to look at the data, I am going to suck the JSON file into Couchbase - a database that uses JSON to create a "table" format similar to SQL. This will allow me to run queries on the JSON much like one would run a database query.

### Creating a database in Couchbase:

Download and install [Couchbase](https://www.couchbase.com/) on your computer.  When the install is complete, you’ll have an admin dashboard open in your browser (on my Mac it is running on localhost:8901).  We’d like to add in our api.video JSON file into a data bucket.  To create the bucket - navigate to the Bucket section and click the "ADD BUCKET" button. I have the memory set at the minimum 100 MB (there are all of 19 entries after all!).


Great - now we have our data bucket added.  Now we’ll want to import the JSON from api.video, so we can do our analysis.  This is done in the terminal using the ```cbimport``` command:

My username is Administrator with password 123456 (Google Chrome is mighty peeved about my use of an insecure password on localhost), adding a json file into the videoStats bucket.  Each video view has a sessionId, so I use that as a unique key.

I get a success message in my terminal, and looking back at the Couchbase admin panel under Documents, I can see each entry from the JSON has been added:


Now we must index the data. In the Query Editor, enter:

Now we can do data analysis of our video views. For example, to understand the number of views per country:

That’s pretty cool!  


## Live Stream Analytics

We can do exactly the same thing with live stream analytics. Note: these only show “views” of a live stream.  If you run a live stream and no one watches - there will be no analytics reported.  Further - if your live streams are saved as video on demand (VOD) for later use - any VOD analytics are saved with the newly created VOD video, and will have no connection to the original live stream.

Let’s look at a live stream that has a number of views.  On the [api.video](https://api.video) homepage, we have a demo that allows you to livestream right from the homepage.  The live streamer then “watches” their stream in the browser at the same time that they are broadcasting - guaranteeing that every live stream gets at least one viewer (in the same location as the live streamer!)

The API call is similar to that of the VOD request, I just use the 'live-streams' endpoint as opposed to the 'videos' endpoint I used above.

### GeoLocation  


The live stream demo is hosted in North America and in Europe, and we use geolocation to direct our users to the correct server. Let’s see how well our load balancers are doing. Traffic directed to North America is on the left, and European traffic is on the right:


It looks like our load balancing is doing a bang up job. :)


Combining the two sets of data (I just created a new bucket with all the data added) allows us to see that api.video’s home page has been live streaming all around the world:


### Devices & browsers

Most of the streams are from desktop machines. All 28 phone instances correspond directly to 28 Android devices.(This is due to a limitation in Safari that prevents the demo from working on any iOS device.)  Of our Android users, we see 25 using Chrome, 1 Samsung Internet, 1 Opera (and one hidden variant.)

Desktop users are mostly Windows and Mac (and pretty evenly distributed), but also a good number on Linux/Ubuntu).


## Conclusion


The video analytics offered by api.video allow you to better understand who is consuming your content. In this post, we've walked through the steps to extract the data using the Analytics API in JSON format, and then ingested the data into a database for fast and easy queries.  

We used this data to see how the live stream demo on the api.video home page was used in July 2020.

How are you using api.video's analytics? Drop us a note in the [community forum](https://community.api.video) with your use cases!

Modern technology has been helpful for an increasingly fast and simple method of consuming various types of video media, whether it’s a YouTube video, our favorite shows on Netflix, or even catching up with friends across the globe on Zoom. Despite the relative ease of doing anything related to video, a few complex processes take place behind the scenes, away from public view. One such process is video encoding.

Video encoding basically makes the world go around in regards to anything related to video and video content. Thanks to the technologies behind the video encoding process, it has become much easier for people and companies to share video content on the internet. But what exactly is video encoding, and what happens during the process? We’ll take a closer look at this and much more in this handy guide to video encoding.

## What is video encoding?

In a nutshell, video encoding occurs when you take raw video footage, either from a digital camera or an analog film camera, and digitally compress it to make it a more manageable file size. Video encoding happens daily in both professional and personal capacities, and many people don’t realize it.

But, without encoding, services like Netflix and YouTube would not exist – or, at least, not in the same way that it does today. Without it, we couldn’t send videos of our beloved pets to our friends and family as easily as we can today.

## Why is video encoding used?

There are a variety of reasons why video encoding is used, but all factors point to the single function of video encoding – **compression**.

This is done to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with a selected suite of software and hardware, be it for DVD/Blu-ray playback, mobile viewing, online video streaming, or general video editing. A file's video and audio information undergo transformation and compression during the encoding process, all in accordance with the requirements of the selected encoding standard.

On a professional level, the ability to compress raw video into more manageable sizes makes it easier to transmit video content such as training, promotion, presentation, and so on over the internet. 

On a personal level, video encoding makes it much easier to send videos taken from your phone directly to friends and family. Most modern-day personal devices have built-in video encoding capabilities to allow for this to happen without a second thought.

To put things in perspective, uncompressed or unencoded video can have a data rate that’s as low as 3,000 Mbps and as high as 12,000 Mbps, depending on the length and quality of the video recorded. 

**Without encoding, it would take up to days for anyone to not just transmit video, but to be able to consume it, too.**

## Differences between video encoding and video transcoding

You need to be familiar with two more [essential terms related to video encoding](https://api.video/what-is/) – transcoding and codecs.

Transcoding relates to the conversion from one digital encoding format to another. It takes the already encoded video file, decompresses it, and then alters it before re-encoding or compressing it into a different codec. Codecs are what allow encoding to occur in the first place. They are software or hardware that gives us the ability to compress video to make them more easily stored and delivered tightly.

While you may hear “encoding” and “transcoding” used interchangeably, the two terms actually mean different things. Putting it succinctly, encoding is the initial process of compressing a video from a source – such as a camera – into a codec, while transcoding takes an already encoded video file to convert it into a different codec.

## Examples of video codecs

In order to understand video encoding, you must first be familiar with two interrelated terms: [video codecs and video formats](https://api.video/blog/product-updates/every-video-format-codec-and-container-explained/). These also tend to be used interchangeably, but much like the terms encoding and transcoding, they refer to two different things.

Video formats are the type of files in which the compressed video/audio is stored. Also known as a “container”, you can tell what a video format is by looking at the file’s extension — the three to four characters that sit after a period in a file name. Here are some of the most common video formats used today:

* MP4
* FLV
* MOV
* MKV
* LXF
* MXF
* AVI
* WebM
* QT

On the other hand, **the codec is short for “Coder / Decoder” (compression / decompression)** and relates to the video compression algorithms that allow encoding to happen. Over the years, codecs have gone through multiple iterations as it coincides with the increasing sophistication and rise in the quality of filmmaking. 

If you’re a content creator, you might be aware of some of the video codecs that exist today:

- **H.264 – also known as AVC, this is the most widely-used video codec available on every platform and mobile device.**
- H.265 – also known as HEVC, stands for High-Efficiency Video Coding, and it’s slowly overtaking H.264 as the standard. This codec can compress video much more efficiently than its predecessor.
- **VP9 – is an open-source, royalty-free codec developed by Google and is considered the direct competitor of H.265. The video compression codec VP9 was created to reduce file sizes, making streaming videos simpler.**
- **AV1 – is another royalty-free, open-source codec released in 2019 by the non-profit Alliance for Open Media. It was developed to become the successor to Google’s VP9 and contend with HEVC more directly.**

## How do different technologies handle video encoding

As you may have suspected, there are a majority of ways that different technologies handle the video encoding process. Let’s take a look at the most common technologies that use video and how video encoding works on each of them:

### Video editing software

When it comes to video content creation, a majority of people will use one of two video editing software — Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple’s Final Cut Pro. Both of these video editing software handle video encoding in very similar ways: when exporting the finished video.

Depending on which device the video content is recorded on, it will already be encoded and formatted according to the settings of the device. For those using iPhones recording 1080p video at 25 frames per second (FPS), for example, the iPhone will automatically encode the video using H.264 and contain it in a .mov file format. The video editing software will “open up” the container to get to the encoded, compressed video file within so the editing process can begin.

After editing the footage is complete, it will need to be exported, which typically concerns video encoding. The edited raw media taken from a recording device such as a camera will be encoded via the codec of the person’s choosing before being put into a .mp4 container once they’ve hit “export”. As we’ve mentioned before, the most common codec used in video content creation is H.264 for HD videos, with 4K videos using H.265. 

### Websites

Different websites utilize different techniques to handle video encoding – with a majority of the major sites like YouTube, Netflix, and so on using their own technologies to handle the process. A majority of social media websites allow you to upload video files directly onto the site to share, although most of them require the files to be saved in specific containers. 

These websites will take your video file and transcode it before using their own systems and serves to re-encode it to match multiple display resolutions. This process will happen regardless of your video file's original codec and settings. Different websites have different processes, but companies that don’t have the capacity to build their own video encoding systems can use a third-party application programming interface (or API) to handle this process. These APIs act as [dedicated video encoder](https://api.video/what-is/video-encoding/) that allows companies to add on-demand videos to their websites more efficiently.

Using [api.video](https://api.video) as an example, all of the videos submitted to the platform will be transformed into H.264 codec in an MP4 container. This may be done using transmuxing and/or transcoding.

We expect the video bitrate to be lower than 16 Mbps for up to 1080p resolution and 50 Mbps for up to 4K resolution. We accept any bitrates, however, we will scale them down to the limits mentioned because anything above is usually challenging for most viewers’ connection to watch.

### API

The ability to generate, store, and distribute video is made possible via a video API. [api.video](https://api.video)’s solution can be tailored to suit any specific need. 

The backend process of video on demand (VOD) is exceptionally complex, even if you’re a software programmer specializing in video. It is necessary to encode, package, and typically transcode the data before sending it to any of several possible destinations. All of these things, and more, may be done with minimal fuss using api.video.

Our API basically keeps the complexities of streaming media hidden from view, so you can rapidly develop apps with as much control as you need. This saves time and effort so developers can concentrate on making the product.

## Conclusion

As you can see through this video encoding guide, a lot of work goes into making the video you watch and the video you share possible. Without video encoding compressing raw video footage, it could take days to upload and transmit video content over the internet and perhaps even longer to be able to download and enjoy them. 

The best part about encoding at api.video is that is offered at ZERO cost. You will only be charged for delivery and hosting of your videos, and the encoding will be free. Now integrate your videos in minutes with api.video or [contact us](https://api.video/contact/) for more information.

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next.js

video api

api video plugin

Yohann Martzolff

Typescript

Next.js

React

No doubt, Next.js is one of the best React framework for full-stack web applications.

What if you want to create your own video application? A Next.js boilerplate with all [api.video](https://api.video) features is ready for you to begin your journey 🧑‍💻 

## What’s a boilerplate 🤔

A boilerplate is a unit of writing that can be reused without change. The idea is sometimes applied to reusable programming, and that’s the case here: our Next.js boilerplate is a starter pack containing all [api.video](https://api.video) features that anybody can use, without having to change anything in it to start a new project. 

Of course, you are free to modify anything once your application is running!

## What can I achieve with this boilerplate 🥇

After the boilerplate has been bootstrapped, you can run your brand-new application and enjoy [api.video](https://api.video) features!

Upload videos, display them as a list, and play any video in a fully customizable player.

[api.video](https://api.video) proposes many more endpoints to manage and create a complete video application.
Check [our documentation](https://docs.api.video/) to learn about this.

## Get started 🏁

Find out about ***[how to use our boilerplate](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/tree/canary/examples/with-apivideo)*** on the README file, or follow the guide bellow 👇 

1. Create a new Next.js application by running one of the following commands in a new terminal and following the command prompts.

2. Rename the `.env.local.example` file with `.env`.
3. Find your API key in the [api.video](https://api.video) dashboard [API keys section](https://dashboard.api.video/project-settings/api-keys) and add its value to the API_KEY environment variable in the `.env` file.

💡 If you don’t already have an api.video account, create a free one [here](https://dashboard.api.video/register).

4. Start your application by running `yarn dev` in your terminal, and voilà!

You should be able to see a basic sample app from where you can upload videos and see them as a list.

Everything in this application is set up to build a complete video application, from Next.js to api.video, enjoy coding! 

Find the full boilerplate in the official Next.js repository [right here](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/tree/canary/examples/with-apivideo).

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Dropbox

vimeo

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Neda & Aya

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🎉 We introduce an ultimate [video import tool](https://import.api.video/) that allows you to quickly and easily import your videos from another provider (e.g. dropbox) to your [api.video](https://api.video) dashboard. All you need is an API key and the provider’s access token. 

In this article, we will go through the reasons why you would switch to api.video streaming services and the simple steps of importing your video content to api.video. 🎬 We have also created a video demo to use the api.video import tool. 

## Why switch to api.video?

We have designed our services in a way that prioritizes the requirements and needs of your product. From playback speed and quality to a customized player, api.video ensures that your application and website maintain the professionalism that is required by a competitively savvy industry.

All video streaming services are different and don’t offer the same quality or features. When choosing a video streaming service, there are a bunch of things to consider. Here are some of the top reasons we think that you would benefit by switching to api.video 🕊️

- 🎖️ **Quality and speed** - With api.video, you ensure a seamless playback experience every time!
- 🎖️ **Easy-to-use** - api.video has a straightforward interface that makes large-scale video uploading easy. Our services are scalable and can grow with your business.
- 🎖️ Adaptive bitrate encoding **at no cost**.
- 🎖️ **Scalable** - You certainly don’t want to be in a position where your business has grown, and your streaming service doesn’t allow you to reach your growing number of users. The api.video infrastructure embraces the multi-faceted and competitive markets we live in today.
- 🎖️ **Multi-use** - api.video simultaneously lets you explore different business areas, such as social networking, educational content management, or any other video-centric and user-generated content (UGC) areas.
- 🎖️ **Adaptable** - api.video is a streaming service adaptable to multiple programming languages, so you as a business don’t need to worry about which programming language would work for api.video. Instead, we will suit your needs.
- 🎖️ **Affordable** - api.video cares for it’s customers’ businesses as their growth directly affects our growth, and our prices reflect our understanding of our customers and the market they operate in.

These were only some of the top reasons to switch to api.video. There are plenty more reasons that we are the right fit for you. Check out our [website](https://api.video/) and features to find out more! 

Do you want to switch to api.video? Yes? Then let's get started 🚀

## How to use the api.video import tool?

Our import tool is super easy to use and its intuitive interface makes it a piece of cake 🍰

By using our video import tool, you skip the hassle of manually re-uploading your videos to our services. Moreover, our video import tool is free and open-source which makes it both accessible and flexible. 

Here is a demo video that goes through the following topics:

- What you need to get started?
- How to import your videos?




### What you need to get started?

There are two things you need to do before starting to import your videos to [api.video](https://api.video); **copy the api.video key** and **get your provider’s access token**. 

1. **An api.video account**

Do you have an api.video account? No? [Sign up for free](https://dashboard.api.video/register)!

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Read more about our [Sandbox account](https://docs.api.video/reference) and our [paid plans](https://api.video/pricing/) to find a solution that suits you best.

2. **Get your source provider’s access token**

Each provider can have a different method of authorization. For some providers, it could be as easy as logging into your account, and for other providers, you may need a special access token.

3. **Go to the video import tool**

You can access the video import tool via the ["Videos" tab](https://dashboard.api.video/videos) in your dashboard.

The Import Tool is available via the "Videos" tab

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### How to import your videos?

Let’s take a look at how you can import your videos to api.video with a few easy steps!

**Step 1 - Select source**

A source is the video provider that you wish to import your videos from. For example; select Azure Media Services from the list.

import-tool-providers-list.png

**Step 2 - Authentication**

As mentioned before, every video provider has their own authentication methods. Once you enter the authentication step, there is information about your selected source and how you can easily get the required authentication.

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**Step 3 - Video selection**

Select the videos that you want to import from the source.

import-tool-video-list.png

**Step 4 - Import progress**

Done! The videos are already being uploaded to your api.video dashboard and you can see their ingesting and encoding status and play the video when it’s ready.

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## Useful metadata

With each video that you import to api.video, we provide the relevant metadata that could be very useful to you. You can find this metadata on your api.video dashboard. The metadata can inform you whether the video has been imported before, the initial provider’s name, and other helpful information.

### You don’t have to worry about losing your videos!

Your video safety is our priority  👈 Our video import tool makes sure that you have the freedom to choose when you wish to delete your videos at your source video provider.  When you import your videos to api.video, your videos are imported to api.video but NOT deleted on your account with the source provider. For example, once you import your videos from let’s say Vimeo to api.video, your videos will be kept on your Vimeo account but also available on api.video. 

We hope that you found this tutorial useful and our video import tool helpful for your future endeavour! Test out our [video import tool](https://import.api.video/) today by [signing up for free](https://dashboard.api.video/register) 🎈

Switch to api.video with our fast & easy video import tool

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Over the years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of OTT (over-the-top) platforms across the world. New releases are just a click away and people can watch them from the comfort of their homes. Video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple+ are bringing original content for their audiences to binge watch. 

&nbsp;

According to [Statista](https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/media/tv-video/ott-video/worldwide), Netflix saw an increase of over 13 million paid subscribers in the last quarter of 2023 and the revenue in the OTT video market is now projected to reach US$316.40 billion by 2024.

&nbsp;

Gone are the days when you had to download a particular film or an episode to watch it on your device. The video streaming platforms instead employ an efficient technology called cloud based streaming so the viewer can avoid the hassle of downloading. 

## What is cloud streaming?

Cloud based streaming makes use of an infrastructure involving servers and data centers from around the world that host content which is accessible to view on demand and without downloading on the device. As opposed to physically storing content on premise, cloud streaming services rely on a network of cloud servers that store video content uploaded by broadcasters on cloud which is then encoded and transcoded in various formats and delivered to viewers on demand. But what is [cloud streaming technology](https://api.video/what-is/cloud-video-streaming/) doing differently is that it reduces the latency period and eliminates the hassle of downloading and storing content on your devices. 

&nbsp;

Cloud video encoding and transcoding includes converting the video files to make them more accessible and viewable in several versions, each file version of different size and quality to meet the demands of the viewers. 

## Why are popular OTT brands shifting to cloud video streaming services?

Cloud based streaming services ushered a new era in making video content available and accessible for internet users. Popular video streaming service Netflix began as a DVD rental service in 1997 and used to mail the DVDs to the viewers. In 2007 however, Netflix launched a parallel service of video-on-demand via the internet. 

&nbsp;

With the increase in content generation and the amount of time people across the world are spending watching videos, physical storage of data has proved to be a challenge. 

&nbsp;

**Resource intensive and high costs:** 
On-premise video streaming platforms require infrastructure that houses and supports servers with sufficient capacity to deliver content along with technical staff to maintain the hardware. Traditional way of streaming content means consuming significant resources and additional costs on regular maintenance of hardware, upgrades, security and infrastructure. 

&nbsp;

**Difficult to scale:**
On-premise based video streaming platforms find it hard to achieve rapid scalability. A lot of capital is required to add more servers that are equipped with the software that is capable of handling data distribution. But the speed at which technology is advancing, it is hard for the traditional hardware servers to keep up. 

&nbsp;

**High latency:**
Since in traditional streaming, content is physically stored on premise, there is a high chance of considerable delays in accessing the video content requested by the viewer. 

## Why cloud based streaming should be your next choice?

Cloud video streaming is the next best option for video streaming platforms. We are driven by data and content in today’s world and opting for cloud based streaming has a lot of advantages. 

### 1. Highly accessible and adaptive

[Cloud based streaming services](https://api.video/blog/video-trends/top-5-benefits-of-a-cloud-video-platform/) have proved to be efficient in terms of delivering video content via the Internet to millions of viewers on-demand while also adapting to the internet strength and supporting the bandwidth. Have you ever noticed on Youtube that there is an option to choose the quality at which you can play your desired video?There are options to play the videos at 144p, 240p, 360p, 480p or 1080p so you can watch video content on their platforms depending on the network strength. 

## 2. Security and Data Protection

One of the top drivers for video streaming platforms to move to cloud video streaming is better security and data protection. So if you own a video streaming platform, cloud streaming is a better option because it delivers sophisticated solutions and enhanced security. It ensures secure access points, like gateways and sandboxes, for only approved users to run cloud applications.With enhanced resilience that cloud streaming services offer, you also would not need to worry about the looming threat of cyberattacks.


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### 3. Costs and Performance
In order to achieve greater efficiency and reduce the costs of maintenance of infrastructure and storage on premise, video streaming platforms are increasingly opting for cloud based streaming. Before Netflix shifted to cloud streaming, the company stored and delivered their content through data centers and servers and it proved to be cost intensive. A service outage in 2008 also propelled the media giant to consider moving to cloud streaming. 

### 4. Ease of scalability
Media industries and OTT platforms can easily scale up or down depending on their needs and the audience viewership. The cloud based services provide unparalleled scalability  and can accommodate a sudden spike in viewership without any significant capital requirement. Netflix began its migration to cloud streaming in 2008 and was able to scale up and meet the demands of its ever growing subscribers base. Today, Netflix has a total of 260.8 million paid subscribers and the platform provides services in over 190 countries. 

### 5. Immense storage capacity
Since storing content on cloud is significantly at a lower price and the storage capacity is endless, content can be scheduled, archived and uploaded in bulk easily. Running out of space to store content today is the worst nightmare. Cloud streaming services ensure that the content is always available to the viewers, from the newest releases to videos or films that were made decades ago. Cloud servers are helping in creating a resourceful archive. 

### 6. Focused CDN solution
Content Delivery Network (CDN) guarantees a seamless playability experience without any significant latency and buffering. It allows video content to be streamed efficiently. CDN is a network of servers geograhically distributed so when you request a video of your choice to be played on your device, the nearest server delivers the content to you rather than the original server. The result is that you would receive content at high speed,  minimized buffering and reduced chances of failure.  

&nbsp;

Cloud streaming services are the way forward as it offers multitudinal advantages over the traditional solution. Media industries and OTT platforms are modernizing their data platforms and choosing cloud based services in order to minimize costs, time and energy spent on maintaining the hardware and data on-premise and instead are focusing on more revenue generating strategies. **The cloud computing industry is expected to grow to $832.1 billion by 2025 as video streaming platforms seek to strengthen end-to-end uninterrupted video streaming for their audiences.** The OTT platforms capitalize on saving the time of the viewers by bringing them video content they desire by just one click and all of this is possible by cloud video streaming. 

&nbsp;

_api.video has a solid infrastructure that has the elasticity to expand/offload to cloud, based on your needs, ensuring high performance no matter how many minutes of videos. We also partner with the best CDN provider in the world to help deliver your videos anywhere with minimal latency._

&nbsp;

[Sign-up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) with us to deliver on-demand and live-stream videos directly from your website, software, or app NOW!



Cloud streaming: How cloud is enabling video streaming services like Netflix 

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## The benefits of a cloud video platform
The cloud is collections of servers in data centers that run software, maintain databases and serve all kinds of content to all the corners of the world. As we make it easier to create and share video by adding technologies like fast 5G networks and cheaper camera equipment, more and more people are creating video content. To handle the demand, most video streaming platforms use the cloud. Netflix famously started the move to the cloud after a corrupted database prevented them from mailing anyone their DVDs for 3 days! YouTube uses the cloud, and so does api.video. There are many benefits to providing video via the cloud. 

## 1. You can use a network that can handle video streaming and heavy traffic
A major benefit to using a cloud video platform is that it's up to someone else to handle the technical details of video streaming and coping with heavy traffic. You can just add video to your company portal, or build your own viewing interface or whatever you like.

## 2. Lower cost
It's less money for your business or project if you don't have to store your video content, manage the servers with the content, or hire an IT team. Instead, you pay for a video service, like api.video, and everything is stored and managed for you. 

## 3. Video focused content delivery network
If you choose a cloud video platform like api.video, you get to use our private content delivery network. Because api.video handles only video content, the network is optimized to provide the best experience when working with video. Many companies that work with video have their own networks for their content, including Netflix - their network is called Netflix Open Connect. 

## 4. Continuity
When you store content yourself, you have to have a plan for what happens if part of your system goes down. If you use a cloud service for your video, this is handled for you. By storing it in the cloud, it can be replicated and maintained in multiple locations if need be, so that your video is always there when you need it. 

## 5. Mobility
If your video content is stored in the cloud, it's easier to access. You can stream content at home or a coffee shop, anywhere there's internet, you'll be able to get to your videos and interact with them. 

## api.video and the cloud
At api.video, all our services are in the cloud. We use our own Content Delivery Network (CDN) to ensure fast, reliable uploading, transcoding, and delivery. 

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Today, if you deal with video content in any way - be it creating video content on your own or providing others a means for content creation, compelling and attention-grabbing videos are a must. But your job is not done once you create the content. Delivering the content to your audience in the best quality is also as important as creating it.

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How do you do that?

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With attention spans today dipping considerably, it is important for you to up your game on video formats, to ensure good quality, zero buffer waits and a smooth experience. And for that you must take special care of your ‘video bitrate’.

## **Now, what is ‘bitrate’?**

Simply put, bit is a unit of data that constitutes digital content and therefore bitrate is the rate at which bits are transferred across a digital connection in a certain amount of time. It is measured in bits per second (bps) or mega-bits per second (Mbps). You have probably seen it before, written as the upload or download speed of your internet connection. 

&nbsp;

Now what does it mean if you have high bitrate?

&nbsp;

A high bitrate means increased quality, but also increased file size, for both audio and video content. Therefore, selecting the right bitrate while compressing or uploading audio-video content is of primary importance. The goal is to select the right bitrate to produce a high quality and easily shareable file with your audience. 

&nbsp;

Remember that a high bitrate does not necessarily mean a good experience for the customer, because a large file size will cause the video to buffer for most viewers since the interent connection of most viewers can’t process really big files quickly. You want it to be high enough that your video is sharp and clear, but not so high that viewers struggle to watch it.

## **Video bitrate strategies to optimize viewership**

The bitrate that you choose to encode your videos in has a direct bearing on their quality. There are four bitrate methodologies you can adopt, each with its own pros and cons.

### Constant Bitrate

Constant Bitrate (CBR) is encoding and streaming at its most basic. In short, you determine a single bitrate for your entire stream and send it out. That bitrate does not change according to which device it is being sent to nor can it adapt to fluctuations in user bandwidth. For online streaming content creation, CBR is the preferred choice. It's the industry standard, offering compatibility with numerous media players and streaming platforms.

### Variable Bitrate

With Variable Bitrate, data compression adjusts based on complexity during encoding. It calculates an average bitrate for the entire file, meaning less complex parts have lower bitrates than complex ones. VBR typically yields higher bitrates than CBR, making it ideal for storing content on video-on-demand platforms rather than live streaming.

### Multi-Bitrate (MBR)

Multi-Bitrate (MBR) streaming provides multiple bitrate options for playback without encoding video data segments separately. Once a bitrate is selected, the entire stream remains at that bitrate. This allows flexibility for viewers with various devices and bandwidths. However, if their connection speed decreases during streaming, buffering may occur.

### Adaptive Bitrate (ABR)

Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) is the best bitrate for streaming and video optimization. It kicks off much like Multi-Bitrate (MBR) streaming by picking the best video bitrate for each viewer. But here's where it gets interesting: instead of sticking to that bitrate, the stream adjusts within a range called an encoding ladder. This means if your internet speed improves, so does your video quality. But if it slows down, the video quality adjusts accordingly too. It's like having a smart video player that always gives you the best quality without any buffering.

&nbsp;

***Fun fact:** An encoding ladder is a predefined set of video output specifications designed to accommodate users with varying devices and network conditions. These ‘rungs’ of the ladder create different versions of your video suitable for everything – from high-speed internet on a 4K display all the way down to a basic mobile phone on a poor network.*

## **Other factors influencing video quality**

Apart from the file size and video quality, a few external factors also influence and impact viewership when it comes to audio-video content.

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- **Frame Rate:** Frame rate refers to how quickly images or video frames are displayed to produce motion, measured in frames per second (fps). Typically, the standard rate is 24fps as ‘cinema frame rate’ but there are also options with higher rates, ranging from 30fps to 60fps. In live streaming, particularly for fast-paced sports or music events, frame rate is crucial. Higher fps results in a smoother and more life-like video output.
- **Resolution**: Resolution means the number of pixels in a video frame. Increasing the number of pixels in an image leads to a clearer and more detailed picture. Similar to frame rate, pixels represent data and impact bitrate requirements. For achieving higher definition (HD) video, you'll need both higher resolution and a higher bitrate to ensure quality.
- **Bandwidth**: Bandwidth is the maximum capacity of the internet connection for uploading and downloading data. Clearly, we do not have any control over the audience’s bandwidth but it is a deciding factor in the overall output video quality.
- **Encoder**: The encoder compresses your raw video data for streaming, adjusting resolution, frame rate, and bitrate settings. However, not all encoders handle large files equally well. Your choice affects how efficiently your computer can process the video, crucial for live streaming.

## **Video bitrate recommendations**

Each video streaming platform has its own specific recommendations and requirements for video quality. An optimized approach to video bitrate selection could drastically improve the audience’s viewing experience on the respective platforms. Now that you know what bitrate is, here is a list of popular video platforms with details of their bitrate requirements. 

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For [YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853702?hl=en#zippy=%2Ck-p-fps%2Cp-fps%2Cp), here’s the recommended video bitrate:

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| Video Resolution (pixels) | Video Frame (fps) | Recommended Video Bitrate (Kbps) (AV1 and H.265) | Recommended Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| ------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| 720p                      | 30fps             | 1,000-4,000 Kbps                                 | 2-5 Mbps                        |
| 720p                      | 60fps             | 2,250-6,000 Kbps                                 | 2.9-7.4 Mbps                    |
| 1080p                     | 30fps             | 3,000-6,000 Kbps                                 | 3.8-7.4 Mbps                    |
| 1080p                     | 60fps             | 4,500-9,000 Kbps                                 | 5.6-11 Mbps                     |
| 1440p                     | 30fps             | 6,000-13,000 Kbps                                | 7.4-15.8 Mbps                   |
| 1440p                     | 60fps             | 9,000-18,000 Kbps                                | 11-21.8 Mbps                    |
| 4K                        | 30fps             | 13,000-34,000 Kbps                               | 15.8-41 Mbps                    |
| 4K                        | 60fps             | 20,000-51,000 Kbps                               | 41.2-61.5 Mbps                  |

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For [Twitch](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/broadcasting-guidelines?language=en_US), here’s the recommended video bitrate:

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| Video Resolution (pixels) | Video Frame (fps) | Recommended Video Bitrate (Kbps) (AV1 and H.265) | Recommended Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| ------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| 720p                      | 30fps             | 2,500-4,000 Kbps                                 | 3.2-5 Mbps                      |
| 720p                      | 60fps             | 3,500-5,000 Kbps                                 | 4.4-6.2 Mbps                    |
| 1080p                     | 30fps             | 3,500-5,000 Kbps                                 | 4.4-6.2 Mbps                    |
| 1080p                     | 60fps             | 4,500-6,000 Kbps                                 | 5.6-7.4 Mbps                    |

&nbsp;

For [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/help/1534561009906955?helpref=faq_content), here’s the recommended video bitrate:

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| Video Resolution (pixels) | Video Frame (fps) | Recommended Video Bitrate (Kbps) (AV1 and H.265)  | Recommended Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1080p | 30fps | 3,000-6,000 Kbps | Not Specified |

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For [api.video](https://api.video/), here’s the recommended video bitrate:

**Video codec:** H.264

**Audio codec:** AAC/MP3

**Bitrate encoding:** CBR

**Keyframe Interval:** 2 second

&nbsp;

| Quality | Frame rate | Video bitrate | Audio sample rate | Audio Bitrate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 240p | 25-30 fps | 300-700 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 64 Kbps |
| 360p | 25-30 fps | 400-1000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 480p | 25-30 fps | 500-2000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 720p | (30 fps) | 25-30 fps 1500-4000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 720p | (60 fps) | 60 fps 2250-6000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 1080p | (30 fps) | 25-30 fps 3000-6000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 1080p | (60 fps) | 60 fps 4500-9000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 128 Kbps |
| 2160(4K) | (30 fps) | 25-30 fps 13000-34000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 192 Kbps |
| 2160(4K) | (60 fps) | 60 fps 20000-51000 Kbps | 44,1 kHz | 192 Kbps |

## Final thoughts

There’s no question that video is a popular form of content, but we also need to acknowledge that poor image quality makes it tough to capture viewers. By selecting the appropriate bitrate settings based on factors like resolution, frame rate, and platform requirements, you can ensure smooth playback, minimize buffering, and maintain visual fidelity across various devices and internet connections.

&nbsp;

_api.video enables you to quickly and securely deliver on-demand and live-stream videos directly from your website, software, or app. [Sign-up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) for a free sandbox account to try out api.video’s video API, or [talk to our team](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us) to get a demo._

What is bitrate (And why is bitrate important for your videos)

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Open Broadcast Software (OBS) is an incredibly powerful tool for [live streaming](https://api.video/live-streaming/) video with a bit of a learning curve up front. Once you've got your live streaming running, you may discover you want to optimize it. Today I'll walk you through how to choose the right bitrate for your OBS live stream

## Before we get started - Set up OBS! 
This section is for readers who want to create a high quality live stream with OBS, but haven't yet set it up. Here is how to set OBS for live streaming with api.video:

[Live Stream with OBS and api.video](https://api.video/blog/no-code/live-stream-with-obs-api-video-and-python)

## What is video bitrate?
Video bitrate is how much data for your live stream is transferred within a second. If you say bps, you're saying bits-per-second. Mbps is megabits-per-second. If you say kbps, it's kilobits-per-second. One bit is the smallest unit of data you can have. Bitrate is how you measure the speed of uploads and downloads of your video. Bitrate is important because it's tied to video quality. You can capture live video with high resolution and frame rate and your viewer might never receive it in that condition. The reason why would be due to the bitrate and also, the bandwidth.

Bandwidth limits what bitrate you can upload at, and it represents the capacity your viewers have when they download your video. So when you're wondering how your live stream is sent and delivered, you'll need to think about video bitrate, and whether the bandwidth allows you to transfer at the bitrate you want to use. HLS is used for streaming because it dynamically adapts to provide the best possible video quality in any situation. If a viewer has slow internet, HLS will deliver content at a lower resolution. This is good because the viewer can continue watching smoothly, but not so good in terms of their experience of video quality. Sometimes it might be all that can be done given the constraints for bitrate. api.video lets you stream with HLS in part because of HLS's adaptive abilities. 

## What is frame rate?
Frame rate is how many frames occur per second (fps). So bitrate will determine the size of the video file you're streaming, that's about data. Frame rate is about how many images appear per second. Here are a few popular fps: 

* Netflix streams videos at 23.976 frames per second, but offers tests for 59.940 frames per second.
* The United States streams at 24 or 29.97 fps most of the time.
* Europe usually streams at 25 fps.

## What is sample rate and audio bitrate?
I'm adding this one in because when you live stream, usually you don't just stream video, you stream audio. Most of the time, a good sample rate for digital audio is 44.1 kHz. Changing it is less straightforward than it is for bitrate. If you're just starting out, use 44.1kHz. A sample rate of 44.1kHz means that every second of video contains 44,100 individual samples. A sample is a snapshot of audio. The quality of a digital signal is determined by the sampling rate or the bitrate that the signal is sampled at. 44.1kHz is popular to use because it ensures reproduction of all frequencies below 22.05kHz. Most people can hear between 20-22kHz (with 22kHz being fairly rare). 

If you're setting audio bitrate, most of the time you don't need to go above 192kbps if it's combined with a decent encoder like Ogg, MP3, AAC, or FLAC. (On video files, you'll often see AAC, so you should be fine.) If you do go higher, you will definitely increase audio quality, it's just that for many people, they won't notice this added quality and it's more efficient for transfer to keep your audio bitrate at around 192kbps. 

## Is there an easy way to do this?
Yes. When you set up your live stream the first time, just accept the default settings. These will probably work. If you don't like the quality or encounter other issues, the first simple solution is to make sure everything is well lit. If you've done this, and you still don't like the streaming quality, then it's time to get a bit more involved. 

## Test your upload speed
The quality of a live stream can only be as high as the quality it was ingested at. You should test your upload speed to find out what your system is capable of sending. 
If you weren't able to conduct the speedtest, you can troubleshoot the issue. Usually you're unable to connect because:
* Your router rules are too restrictive, and the speedtest is blocked from reaching your system.
* You have a firewall in place to prevent the speedtest from working. 

You can disable your firewall or change your router settings for the test. You may need to keep things in that state to live stream as well, but that's a different article! 

## And the resolution is...
Important. You need to decide what resolution you would like to stream at. Based on the upload speed, you'll have an idea of what's manageable and what's not. Remember, you can't deliver video that's higher resolution than what you upload. The standard resolution to use is 720p or 1080p. It's recommended that you start by getting the hang of streaming 720p before anything else. Almost everywhere can handle a 720p stream. 

## Choose frame rate, bitrate and audio bitrate
Now that you've sorted out bitrate and resolution, it's at last time to choose everything in OBS. This can get tricky. First, it depends on what platform you're going to stream to. Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch have their own suggestions and you can check their documentation for more details. For api.video, our recommendations are: 

1080p - 
* Framerate: 25-30 fps
* Bitrate: 3000-6000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

1080p -
* Framerate: 60 fps
* Bitrate: 4500-9000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

720p -
* Framerate: 25-30 fps
* Bitrate: 1500-4000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

720p - 
* Framerate: 60 fps
* Bitrate: 2250-6000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

480p -
* Framerate: 25-30 fps
* Bitrate: 500-2000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

360p - 
* Framerate: 25-30 fps
* Bitrate: 400-1000 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps

240p -
* Framerate: 25-30 fps
* Bitrate: 300-700 Kbps
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1kHz
* Audio Bitrate: 128-192Kbps


You can go back and change the settings for your live stream at any time. To help you remember the settings as they were, consider taking screenshots before making changes. That way if you break something, or make a change that results in a bad live stream, you can change it back. 

Play around with the settings and check out your live stream. Does it look smooth? High quality? Is the sound the way you want it to be? In the beginning, rely on your own judgment to decide what needs to be changed. The basic rule is that higher bitrate is harder to send and deliver, but will be higher quality. Higher fps will be smoother, but can be harder on the CPU. Lower fps is easier to process and so is lower bitrate, but lower bitrate can make everything look choppy. See what the best combination for your system is, and try viewing your output to get a sense of what your viewers' experience will be. 

[Start building](https://dashboard.api.video/register) your live streams in few lines of code. 
You can find all the information to get started in our [technical documentation](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Live-Streams#create-live-stream).

Choosing the right bitrate for your OBS live stream

Choosing the right bitrate for your OBS live stream text

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In this era where digital content is increasing by leaps and bounds, protecting your content is key. And video Digital Rights Management or Video DRM plays an important role in it.

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Today, when it comes to online videos, there are more restrictions on how people can use and consume digital content than ever before, with online content regulation and competition policies being written into law for the first time ever. With the addition of modern consumer demands requiring better content that is delivered faster and more effectively, it’s essential for creators and distributors to have a plan in place.

&nbsp;

That’s where Digital Rights Management becomes important.

&nbsp;

Going by the literal meaning, DRM stands for “Digital Rights Management”. DRM helps you protect any form of digital content from any form of misuse. In simple words, it helps you protect the intellectual property rights of the digital content created and published by you so that no one can steal or reuse your content in any manner possible.   

&nbsp;

Let’s learn a bit more about what is DRM, how does it work, and why is it important for your video content. 

## What is the role of DRM in video playback?

DRM technology plays a crucial role in safeguarding your online video content. Let’s see how. 

&nbsp;

A DRM software exclusively delivers DRM Keys to authorized devices and user accounts so that any unauthorized access is prevented.

&nbsp;

Most DRM technologies also include screen recording protection which makes it challenging to steal/misuse content. Therefore, in essence, DRM offers dual protection, restricting content access through encryption and also blocking recording and reuse of content. 

&nbsp;

Fundamentally, DRM fulfills four key roles in video playback.

&nbsp;

**DRM Encryption:** With a special set of DRM keys, DRM encrypts the data and sends the encrypted data over the internet. This makes it harder for pirates to steal the content that is en-route to the end user's device. 

&nbsp;

**Watermarking:** Instead of opting for visible watermarking which can be removed with tools, DRM uses forensic watermarking which gets embedded into the metadata and cannot be altered with ease. 

&nbsp;

**Licensing:** User licensing is another way in which a DRM software helps your content to steer itself clear of unwanted users. This is done by providing licensing to eligible people who can view your content. 

&nbsp;

**Authentication:** DRM video protection only allows authenticated users to access digital content. 

## How does DRM encryption work?

In a DRM-powered system, the content has to go through multiple servers and processes so that there’s no compromise with the safety of the content.

&nbsp;

**Creation and Uploading:**
The content creator creates content like music, videos, or e-books and then uploads them into the system.

**Encryption:** The content once uploaded is then encrypted which makes it unreadable while it is being transferred online.

**Distribution:** After the DRM encryption, the content is then transferred to various channels like online streaming platforms or downloading services which becomes an interface for the users.

**Access Request:** The users can then view the content on those platforms and can purchase them or gain access for the same.

**License Request:** In this step, the user’s device sends a request to the DRM license server. The device can only play the content once the license has been provided.

**Authentication:** Upon receiving the request, the server then verifies the users and the device to check the legitimacy of their request.

**License Generation and Delivery:** Once the authentication is complete, the license server generates the license and the decryption keys which are then delivered to the user’s device. This gives the user rights to use and view the content. 

**Decryption:** The user is then able to decrypt the content using the decryption keys that are delivered with the license.

**Playback:** Finally the user can play and view the content on their device. 

## Why do you need DRM?
Here are some of the reasons why the need for DRM may arise.

&nbsp;


**Revenue Protection:** Strong DRM protections give content owners more leverage in negotiating licensing deals with platforms and distributors. This can lead to higher revenue shares and fairer compensation for their work.

**Data Protection:** With DRM, video publishers can restrict the access of the content to authorized users. This becomes extremely important if the data is confidential and can have massive implications if there are leaks. 

**Distribution Control:** DRM-enabled video also prevents authorized users from distributing content to other people who do not have the required license. 

**Brand Image Protection:** One of the major problems that DRM solves is restricting distribution and modification. It can stop the spread of misinformation and poor-quality content which often dilutes the company's image. 

## What is multi-DRM and how does it work?

So far, we've read about the nuances of individual DRM systems. 

&nbsp;

However, did you know that the synergy of multiple DRM systems is also possible? 

&nbsp;

Technically, multi-DRM is a blend of DRM technologies to fortify digital content across diverse platforms and devices. Within this architecture, content undergoes encryption through different DRM technologies, with licensing servers configured to issue licenses that are seamlessly compatible with each distinct DRM system.

&nbsp;

That’s what we call a multi-DRM system.


## Digital Rights Management in use
Here are some examples to see the everyday applications of DRM in your favorite apps.

&nbsp;

**iTunes**



The iTunes store by Apple employs DRM to restrict the number of devices customers can utilize for listening to songs. Downloaded audio files from iTunes contain data regarding song purchase and usage, preventing access on unauthorized devices. Additionally, Apple safeguards content in its iBooks store using FairPlay technology, ensuring that books can only be read on iOS devices.

&nbsp;

**Spotify and Deezer**


A lot of streaming platforms like Spotify and Deezer leverage DRM to calculate the time spent by users on tracks so that royalties can be calculated accurately. 

&nbsp;

**Private Documents**


Businesses use DRM to execute contracts remotely. It enables them to share files, check the original version, maintain tabs on the edits, and designate tasks to people.

&nbsp;

**Microsoft Office Suite**


When using Microsoft softwares like Windows or Office programs, users are required to acknowledge the company's user license and input a key for installation. Additionally, Microsoft employs DRM technology, known as PlayReady, to safeguard content distribution over networks and deter unauthorized use of its software.

&nbsp;

**Netflix**


OTT services like Netflix and Amazon Prime exercise control over their content to ensure that only paid subscribers can access the content and there’s no duplication of it in the process. 


## DRM video protection
In our constantly changing digital landscape, fraudsters are devising novel methods to circumvent DRM-protected content. These malicious actors employ various tactics, from reverse engineering encryption algorithms to exploiting the vulnerabilities in DRM implementation. Staying ahead in such a scenario demands constant innovation and adaptation. To ensure a robust DRM video protection, we suggest that: 

- You use updated and robust DRM technologies and implement regular updates and patches to ensure thorough DRM video protection. 
- You use piracy monitoring tools that can help you track unauthorized distribution of your content.
- You diversify your distribution channels to reduce dependency on a single source. 
- You become a part of DRM communities where you can get informed about the latest threats and emerging technologies.

## Stay a step ahead by protecting your videos with api.video
While api.video does not offer DRM protection, it offers many features that could be your first step to protect your videos and keep them safe. 
&nbsp;

### Private videos
Api.video offers the ability to create a one-time video with a destructible private token. This means that when the user opens the video once, it's playable in the same page for the next 24 hours and the session is retained with the ability to refresh the page. The same URL is not accessible the second time when trying to access it from a different browser, page or tab. [This feature](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/video-privacy-access-management) is applicable if you decide to use our in-house player or a built-in player that is not api.video. 

&nbsp;

### White-labeling opportunities

**Watermarking:** With our video [watermarking feature](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/watermarking-your-videos/), you can ensure that all your videos carry your brand mark - in the form of a logo or a name. This not only protects your brand from plagiarism but also gives you the needed visibility. 

&nbsp;

**Custom domains:** With our [custom domain feature](https://api.video/blog/product-updates/custom-domains-for-api-video/), you can integrate your video player seamlessly into your existing site or launch it as a new platform entirely under your chosen domain.

&nbsp;

**Personalized thumbnails:** With our personalized thumbnails, you have the option to make your video preview align with your brand. When you use our '[pick or upload thumbnail'](https://docs.api.video/vod/add-a-thumbnail-to-your-video#pick-a-thumbnail) feature, you can choose a perfect snapshot to represent each video before it starts playing. 

&nbsp;

**Domain referrer restrictions:** Our Domain Referrer feature let's you restrict access of your videos or livestreams using Domain Referrer restrictions. This is helpful to make sure that your videos or live streams are secure and being consumed specifically through your domain or subdomains. 

&nbsp;


In conclusion, understanding "what is DRM" and its meaning is important in comprehending how digital rights management shapes the security and accessibility of videos. As technology evolves, DRM continues to be a key component in it, balancing user access with content protection. Stay informed about DRM's evolving landscape to make sure you handle video distribution and consumption securely.

&nbsp;


_api.video enables you to quickly and securely deliver on-demand and live-stream videos directly from your website, software, or app. [Sign-up](https://dashboard.api.video/register) for a free sandbox account to try out api.video’s video API, or [talk to our team](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us) to get a demo._

What is DRM and why is it important for your videos?

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Private Live

Product updates

One of our most popular video on demand features is the ability to turn a video ‘private,' where each url to the video has a one time token to prevent sharing.  We have been asked many times about when the 'private' feature would be available for live streaming. We are very excited to release this as a new feature today!

When you set a video to private, the video link has a one use token connected to it. This token can be used exactly once (in a single web session). This means that the video cannot be shared, and any subsequent access of the url will throw an error. This also means that each time the video is shown, a new token must be requested from api.video via the [Get video](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Videos#retrieve-a-video-object) endpoint.

If you use the api.video player, this all works automatically. If you use a different player, we have a walkthrough of how you must handle the headers.


## Private Live streaming

Starting today, we now have a public attribute for all live streams. Setting this to 

```
"public": false
```

will add a token to each url for viewing.  With private live streams, you can be sure that your live video is not being shared outside your expected audience - perfect for live concert streaming, or classes.

Of course, just like the video on demand feature, you’ll need a new URL for the live video for each viewer.  When you call the [Get Livestream](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Live-Streams#retrieve-live-stream) endpoint, each live for the m3u8, the player and the iframe will have the token attribute appended.

```
{
	"liveStreamId": "123",
	"createdAt": "2021-02-15T10:30:49+00:00",
	"updatedAt": "2021-02-15T10:30:49+00:00",
	"streamKey": "123",
	"name": "Dougs staging private livestream",
	"public": false,
	"record": false,
	"broadcasting": false,
	"assets": {
		"iframe": "<iframe src=\"https://embed.api.video/live/li4SB0HXeul4ITH5DXJFGPxT?token=4851b6b0-3c8a-4f15-8298-c2db754fa6ac\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"></iframe>",
		"player": "https://embed.api.video/live/li4SB0HXeul4ITH5DXJFGPxT?token=4851b6b0-3c8a-4f15-8298-c2db754fa6ac",
		"hls": "https://live.api.staging/private/4851b6b0-3c8a-4f15-8298-c2db754fa6ac/li4SB0HXeul4ITH5DXJFGPxT.m3u8",
		"thumbnail": "https://live.api.staging/private/4851b6b0-3c8a-4f15-8298-c2db754fa6ac/li4SB0HXeul4ITH5DXJFGPxT/thumbnail.jpg"
	}
}


```

## See it in action

### Why URL tokens?

Our video tokens are completely server side, removing the need for developers to do any security development (unless you are integrating with a 3rd party player).  The app makes an API call to the api.video server, receives the token, and can simply pass the value to their users.  

Once the token is used, api.video removes the token from being able to be used again.  As long as the user keeps their browser open, they can watch the video, but it cannot be shared, and if a new session is started, the user will need a new token.

### Saved private live streams

One of the great features of our live streams is the ability to have it available as recorded Video on Demand after the stream is completed. To enable this, the “record: true” setting must be enabled before the stream starts.

If your stream is set to private and set to record, all of the recorded videos will also be set to private - and will require the equivalent [private token](https://api.video/blog/product-updates/video-access-management-how-to-create-deliver-and-manage-private-videos-and-what/) for each view.

To make the example video above public, I had to update the video's setting to "public": true.


## Current Limitations

As we test and tweak private live streams, we want to keep the audiences lower. Please limit all private live streams to audiences of 3,000 viewers or less. For larger audiences - you can use a public live stream.

Later this year, we’ll be able to remove this cap, and allow for unlimited size of viewers for your private live stream.

[Give it a try](https://dashboard.api.video/register) - we'd love to see what you've built - share a link in our [forum](https://community.api.video)

Private live streams

258221048310c8d7478d1k.jpg

Announcements

Alexandre Willot

We are excited to introduce Domain Restrictions, a feature that will allow you to restrict your videos and live stream playback to specific domains or subdomains, providing an additional layer of security for your videos and streams.

## 1. What does ‘Domain Restrictions’ do?

&nbsp;

With Domain Restrictions, you can now specify which domains or subdomains are allowed to stream your videos or live streams. This means that even if someone gets a hold of your API credentials, or video and live stream links, they won't be able to use them to watch or stream your content from an unauthorized domain.
&nbsp;

## 2. How it works

&nbsp;

1. Log in to your [api.video account](https://dashboard.api.video/login) and navigate to [Domains](https://dashboard.api.video/project-settings/domains).
2. Click on "Set your allowed domains"

    

3. In the conversation popup, input the domains or subdomains you want to allow.
4. Our customer care team will evaluate your request and provide you access as soon as possible 
5. You are all set! Your videos will only play from the list of domains you have listed.  

&nbsp;

## 3. Pricing

&nbsp;

As an api.video customer, you can use this feature at $20/month in your Production Account. 

&nbsp;

## 4. Documentation

&nbsp;

If you need more information, you can explore our docs [here](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/domain-referrer)

&nbsp;

## 5. What are the other ways to secure your videos?

&nbsp;

Domain Restrictions is just one of the many privacy and security features that api.video offers to help you protect your videos and streams. We take security seriously and are constantly working to improve our platform. 

For instance, our infrastructure provides safe, replicated video storage.

Also, in addition to domain restrictions, [api.video](https://api.video) offers multiple solutions to secure your online videos:

1. [Private videos](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/video-privacy-access-management) will allow you to secure videos individually, you can select which videos are private and which are public. This is a very powerful feature that will help you control and manage access to video in a granular way. Get started with Private Videos [here](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/video-privacy-access-management).

2. The [custom domain](https://dashboard.api.video/project-settings/domains) feature lets you white-label the video experience you offer to your users, and also bypass firewalls that are configured to display content only from a finite list of approved domains. 

3. [api.video](https://api.video) offers a [video watermark functionality](https://docs.api.video/vod/add-a-permanent-watermark). It allows you to embed any watermark you want into your video to protect your content. For example, it is useful to apply watermarks if you are streaming copyrighted videos. 

4. Last but not least, if you use api.video’s player, you can also add your own [player themes](https://docs.api.video/delivery-analytics/player-customization). Among the options, you can [add your own brand logo](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Player-Themes#upload-a-logo) on top of your player. While the video watermark gets burnt onto the video, this player feature only creates a front-end overlay on top of your video.

If you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team, at hello@api.video. Now time to set up your own playback restrictions based on your domains 😀

And if you don't have an api.video account yet but want to test the product, remember that api.video offers a [free signup option](https://dashboard.api.video/register), where you can test all of the product features.

Happy video day!

Restrict playback to specific domain with Domain Restriction

restrict_playback_cover.jpg

Add bumpers to your video with bumper.a.video

Restrict playback to specific domains with Domain Restrictions 

Video watermarking

Python

One of our most requested features is video **watermarking**. 
A video watermark is a visible overlay on a video that can be text, a logo, or other image type. 

Usually, a watermark serves some purpose like increasing brand awareness by displaying your company logo, or it might prevent someone from claiming a video is their work. Sometimes a watermark might prevent you from putting the content into production - for example at api.video we watermark our sandbox videos since sandbox video content is intended for proof-of-concept testing. A watermark might also present details about privileges you have regarding the video content. 

Whatever your reason for watermarking, you can now use api.video to add watermarks to your account, then add them to your video content when you create a new video for the first time or you want to update an existing video. We'll walk through the different options in this tutorial. 

## Pre-requisites 

For this tutorial, you will need: 

* api.video account - [Sign up here](https://dashboard.api.video/register)
* api.video Python client - [Python client](https://github.com/apivideo/api.video-python-client)
* An image to use as a watermark, png or jpg 
* The video ID for a video you've already uploaded

## Installation 

Install api.video's Python client with `pip install api.video` 

## Code sample 

The code sample we're using is this: 

## Code walkthrough

What you'll be doing in the code is creating a watermark, then retrieving the watermark ID and referencing it when you upload a video that you want to display your watermark on. 

At the end, your watermarked video will be something like this:

NOTE: During the walk through, we'll go over how to move the watermark around the video and resize it. Please be aware that you must upload a new video with your new dimensions each time. 

1. The first thing to do is initialize the client and connect.

`client = apivideo.AuthenticatedApiClient("your API key here")

client.connect()
`

2. Next, we prepare our watermark (in this case I've selected the api.video logo and placed my image in the same folder as my code sample) for upload: 

`watermarks_api = WatermarksApi(client)

file = open('logo_orange.png', 'rb') # file_type | The .jpg or .png image to be added as a watermark.`

3. We send the file to api.video:
`api_response = watermarks_api.upload(file)`

4. We check that our file was successfully sent and retrieve the watermark ID which we'll need if we want to add it to a video. 
        
`pprint(api_response)
pprint(api_response['watermark_id'])
`

5. Now we need to create a video container to upload a video into. If you've checked out our other tutorials, you know that video upload is a two part step. You create your container with metadata, then you upload your video into the container. We'll start by preparing to use the video endpoint and setting up our video payload with our watermarking information: 

`videos_api = VideosApi(client)

video_creation_payload = {
    "title":"Sample video",
    "description": "Show a watermarked video",
    "watermark": {
        "id": watermark_id,
        "top":"20px",
        "left":"20px",
        "opacity":"70%",
    },
}`

6. Send the video data in to api.video to create a container to upload your video into, then retrieve the video ID: 

`api_response = videos_api.create(video_creation_payload)
video_id = api_response["video_id"]
`

7. Now with our video ID we can upload a video: 

`file = open("test_vid45.mp4", "rb")

video_response = videos_api.upload(video_id, file)
print("Uploaded Video", video_response)` 

For the last part, you'll have to wait a little bit while your video processes. Once it's done processing you can see your newly watermarked video! 

## Retrieve watermarks 

If you need to retrieve a watermark ID you can always list all your watermarks. The code for that is this:


## Conclusion 

Watermarking is a great way to show branding on your video. You can play with the settings to move your watermark around your video or set it to different levels of opacity. You can find the information in [our docs](https://docs.api.video/reference/api/Watermarks#upload-a-watermark) or ask questions in [our Community](https://community.api.video/). Happy coding! 

How to add watermarks to your videos

watermark.png

codec

With video playback technology witnessing quite an evolution because of the increasing popularity of videos, we have the codecs H.264 and H.265 ruling the roost. You might be wondering, in the battle of H264 vs. H265, what reigns supreme?

## H.264 vs. H.265: What do they mean?

Let’s start from the basics and understand what the two terms – H.264 vs. H.265 – mean.

### What is H.264?

H.264, also referred to as Advanced Video Coding (AVC), operates by using advanced algorithms inter-prediction, spatial intra-prediction. These units, termed macroblocks, consist of 16x16 pixel samples, which can be further subdivided into sub macroblocks. The H.264 codec is also known to achieve significantly reduced bitrate compared to its forerunner and remains in use across various streaming sources.

### What is H.265?

H.265 represents the advanced iteration of H.264, known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). Diverging from H.264's macroblock approach, H.265 utilizes Coding Tree Units (CTUs) for information processing. While blocks in H.264 were confined to 16x16 sizes to 4x4 sizes, H.265 can use a complete range of blocks from 64x64 pixels all the way to 4x4. resulting in notably more efficient compression. HEVC also demands higher computational power for effective data compression.

## H.265 vs. H.264: Understanding the differences in detail

Both H.265 and H.264 can provide high quality and small file size but there is some difference between H.264 and H.265.

&nbsp;


macroblocks-h264-vs-CTUs-h265.png

Let’s understand the points of difference in detail. 

&nbsp;

**Video Quality:** H.264 and H.265 codecs exhibit significant disparities in video quality at equivalent bitrates. In the case of H.264, the borders of the blocks are likely to be distorted because each macroblock is fixed, and each macroblock’s data is independent of another. In contrast, H.265 delivers sharper, more detailed images with fewer artifacts. This enhancement arises from its ability to determine CTU (Coding Tree Unit) sizes based on contextual information, making H.265 superior to H.264 in terms of compression and image quality.

&nbsp;

**Compression and File Size:** The degree to which a codec compresses digital videos directly influences the resulting file size for transmission or streaming. Smaller file sizes equate to lower bandwidth at a certain quality. Since H.265 uses a smaller bitrate to transmit the same quality as H.264, we can conclude that H.265 can export smaller files. Consequently, H.265 takes the lead in scenarios where limited storage capacity or constrained bandwidth is necessary for smaller file sizes.

&nbsp;

A corollary of this is that, H.265 also achieves a higher coding efficiency as compared to H.264 at the same quality.

&nbsp;

**Compatibility:** In the realm of compatibility, AVC surpasses HEVC, with it lagging in popularity compared to H.264. While H.264 enjoys support from a larger number of devices and browsers, support for H.265 is limited to a lesser number of devices and browsers. This is mainly due to H.265’s patent issues that are preventing its easy adoption. 

&nbsp;

**Patent and licensing:** The AVC codec has just one patent licensing. On the other hand, HEVC has four: HEVC Advance, MPEG LA, Velos Media, and Technicolor. This fact complicates the adoption of H.265 and makes it more expensive for companies to afford. 

## Tabular comparison between H.264 and H.265

It’s no fun for technology-geeks until we talk numbers in the ‘Is H.265 better than h.264 debate.'



## AV1: The game-changer in video technology

AV1  is a royalty-free, open-source video compression standard developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), a consortium of technology companies including Google, Mozilla, Netflix, and Amazon. AV1 was designed to provide even better compression efficiency than H.265, and it also addresses the patent and licensing issues associated with previous video compression standards like HEVC. 

&nbsp;

Recently, Apple also announced hardware-accelerated decoder for AV1 as part of an upgraded video engine in the A17 Pro chip for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This shows the fast adoption of AV1 in the technical world. 

## H.264 vs. H.265: Which codec is better?

In a nutshell, the H.264 and H.265 codecs are different in terms of video compression efficiency. Each of them have their advantages and disadvantages, and it depends on your video needs as to what you decide to choose. If you intend to stream a large amount of videos (like Netflix or Amazon), H.265 may be better for you. If your video needs are limited, H.264 may be your best bet. So, it's worth noting that despite its advancements, HEVC has its share of drawbacks, and so does H.264. Make sure you consider both for a comprehensive perspective. 

&nbsp;

So, which codec are you going to choose?

&nbsp;

_api.video enables you to quickly and securely deliver on-demand and live-stream videos directly from your website, software, or app. [Sign-up ](https://dashboard.api.video/register)for a free sandbox account to try out api.video’s video API, or [talk to our team](https://meetings.hubspot.com/apivideo/talk-to-us) to get a demo._


H.264 vs. H.265: The ultimate video codec comparison

large_D.jpg

medium_D.jpg

small_D.jpg

thumbnail_D.jpg

h264-vs-h265.jpg

Anne-Sophie Poupard

[Video encoding](https://api.video/what-is/video-encoding/) is the process of exporting digital video into a format and specification suitable for playback by a user. 

Each video file contains two elements: 
* Codecs, or “compression-decompression“ algorithms which compress the video
* Formats, the type of file the data is compressed to. 

Imagine a shipping container filled with packages of many types. In this analogy the shipping container is the format, and the codec is the tool that creates the packages and places them in the container.

## Video Codecs


Video codecs used today include H.264, HEVC, VP9, and AV1. Common formats includes MKV, AVCHD, MP4, and WebM. 
There are pros and cons to each video codec and file format. There is no silver bullet when it comes to streaming content on the web. Certain video codecs and video formats are open source, meaning the source code is available to the user, who is given the rights to study, change, and distribute software to anyone for any purpose. VP9 and AV1 are both open source codecs types. MKV and WebM are also both open source, developed by nonprofit organizations and allowed to be used without a license.

## Video Formats

Video formats are often equated to a file’s extension, for example the .mp4 in Video. mp4. Video formats are much more than that and include a whole package of files, including a files video stream, the audio stream, and any metadata included with the file. All of the data put together, both of the streams and the metadata, is read by a video player to stream video content for playback. A file’s video stream includes the data necessary for motion video playback, while the audio stream includes any data related to sound. Metadata is any data outside of audio and sound, including bitrate, resolution, subtitles, device type, and date of creation.

## Bitrate
Bitrate or bit rate, is the rate at which bits are processed or computed over time. The higher the bitrate, the more data there is, which generally means a higher quality video file. When choosing a bitrate it is important to consider the device your videos will be played on. High bitrate file streams need lots of processing power to encode, and a fast internet connection to download for playback. If you’re having trouble choosing the right bitrate, file format, video codec, and video resolution, maybe it’s time to consider api.video.

With the api.video you can easily and quickly transcode video for your audience no matter the quality, format or bitrate. We wrote this article to help you sort through the hundreds of codecs and formats, and help you take the guesswork out of streaming video content on your site, application, or platform.

## The Most Popular Codec: H.264


First let’s talk about H.264, also known as AVC. 

H.264 is the most widely used video codec. Sure, the H.264 codec may be a bit outdated by now, but this type of compression technology is present everywhere, with decoders available for pretty much every platform and mobile device. H.264 likely won’t be the standard for long. 
HEVC, short for High Efficiency Video Coding, or H.265 is slowly becoming ubiquitous thanks to the proliferation of 4K content. If AVC or H.264 was the codec of 1080p content, then HEVC and H.265 is the codec for the 4K era. H.265 compresseses videos far more efficiently (hence the “high efficiency”) when compared to H.264. This means H.265 4K content that is easier to stream and at a higher quality than 4K content compressed using H.264.

## New Codecs: H.265 and VP9


H.265 is a licensed codec, meaning you have to pay to use it. Its main competitor, VP9 is a royalty free and open source codec developed by Google. This means that anyone can use the codec to compress their videos license free. Generally, VP9 produces more consistent or more reliable streams, whereas H.265 (HEVC) produces videos of higher quality. 

The differences between the two codecs are due to the strengths and weaknesses of their compression algorithms. VP9 was developed to produce videos with a smaller file size and therefore ones that are easier to stream. H.265 compresses videos using a large variety of processing techniques which ultimately create a compressed video that retains a very high level of detail.

In addition to VP9, there is another open source codec still under development called AV1. AOMedia Video 1 (AV1) is an open source, royalty-free video coding format specifically designed for streaming video content over the internet. AV1 was developed to succeed the VP9 codec and compete directly with HEVC codec on both video quality and file size. AV1 is still a highly experimental codec, but is supported by Firefox, Google Chrome, VLC media player, FFmpeg among others.

## The Most Popular Video Formats
We mentioned this before, but formats are the entire set of storage rules that package a video file’s container, codecs, and metadata. File formats are used so that a variety of devices, platforms, and players can process and playback any number of codecs. Formats are developed to improve image quality, decrease file sizes, allow for universal playback on a variety of devices, and provide special features such as subtitles. Since there are new formats getting developed every day it’s difficult to cover each and everyone. Instead, we’re going to focus on video formats used specifically for online distribution or content streaming.

The most popular video format is MP4, also known as MPEG 4. MP4 is a multimedia container for video, audio, and data, including things like subtitles and still images. Make sure you don’t confuse MPEG 4 and MPEG 4 Audio. MPEG 4 has the file extension .MP4, while MPEG 4 Audio has the file extension .M4A and can only contain audio files. So, why exactly is MP4 so popular? Well it mainly has to do with how ubiquitous it is across a range of devices. Both mobile and desktop devices can playback MP4 video files, so it makes sense that it would be used by most content producers.

## Playback Techniques for Video and Livestreaming
MP4 files are played at a constant bit rate (CBR), meaning the quality of your video stream will remain at the same bitrate no matter the variance in your internet bandwidth. There are other file formats that support adaptive bitrate (ABR), which will adapt the quality of your stream to match the internet speed of your player. One of the most popular formats that supports ABR is HLS..

HLS or HTTP [Live Streaming](https://api.video/product/live-stream/) use adaptive bitrate streaming techniques to enable high quality streaming with small HTTP-based file segments. The key to this format’s popularity is the use of HTTP. HTTP is the universal language protocol for the internet, and allows for reduced infrastructure costs, greater reach, and simple HTML5 player implementation. Another great feature for the HLS format is the M3U8 file descriptor. This file allows the client or device to automatically select the best quality stream at any time, to prevent playback buffering regardless of bandwidth or CPU power.

Now that you know how file formats and codecs work it’s time to get streaming. Visit [this page](https://dashboard.api.video/register) to create a free account, so that you can quickly and easily integrate streaming video content into your application, site, or workflow. Our API can accept pretty much any type of broadcast (even 4K native content), and can quickly transcode and adapt the stream for any type of network, including EDGE. No matter the screen, size, quality, or bitrate, api.video can manage it for you. Our web service is built to answer the most demanding video and streaming needs. If you want to learn more check out our website at [api.video](https://api.video/) or join our [community forum](https://community.api.video/). Good luck and happy streaming!

## You May Also Like...
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

* [Create a Live Stream](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/live-stream-tutorial/) - Create your first live stream!
* [Videostreaming with a Raspberry Pi](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/video-streaming-with-a-raspberry-pi/) - Now that you've got a live stream working, have some fun adding one using a Raspberry Pi. 
* [Video Upload](https://api.video/blog/tutorials/video-upload-tutorial/) - Upload your first video. 

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