youtube Archives - VdoCipher Blog Secure Video Streaming Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:18:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-VdoCipher-logo2-32x32.png youtube Archives - VdoCipher Blog 32 32 Content Creator Economy Growth & Growth Creator Statistics Report https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/creator-economy/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:41:44 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=11848 The creator economy is now a multibillion-dollar industry, building the careers of some of the biggest celebrities. This generation of micro-entrepreneurs is estimated to reach $104.2 billion in 2022. Today creators have become increasingly professionalized in their approach to producing content and managing their careers. Global brands and corporations have learned to use this new […]

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The creator economy is now a multibillion-dollar industry, building the careers of some of the biggest celebrities. This generation of micro-entrepreneurs is estimated to reach $104.2 billion in 2022. Today creators have become increasingly professionalized in their approach to producing content and managing their careers. Global brands and corporations have learned to use this new media environment as an advertising and sales channel. Successful content creators are often compared with film stars and celebrities because of the fame and admiration they earn among their fans and followers. The viewers have a more personal connection to the creators than previous era stars.

“A content creator is an individual who uses their influence, skills, and creativity to amass and monetize an audience online.”

What is Content Creator Economy?

The creator economy is a term to describe the growing trend of content creators, curators and community builders making a living off of their online creations. It can include everything from YouTube videos and podcasts, creating and selling online courses, social media influencer marketing, and blogging. It also includes other businesses supporting the creators, such as analytic platforms, video hosting services, and advertising firms. There has been a big rise in the number of tools to create, share, monetize and gain an audience. Creators are rising, and anyone can now create and contribute to the creator economy.

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The major components of a creator economy are

  • Creators
  • Consumers or Target Audience
  • Platforms (to create, distribute, consume and monetize content)
  • Prospective Businesses and Brands
  • Tools & Services to assist in content creation

According to the payment company Stripe, “the number of creators went up by 48% in 2021, compared to 2020 on its 50 most popular creator platforms. If this exponential growth continues, these 50 platforms in themselves will contribute to 15.5 million creators in five years”.

Who is a content creator?

A content creator produces and shares written, visual and entertaining content, usually digital. Content creators is a broad term covering different works and mediums to disperse the work. In this blog, the term “content creator” refers to someone focused on creating content to target an interested specific audience and connect with them.

The content produced is mostly original and commonly includes YouTube videos, blogs, social media posts, and much more. The content distribution is via social channels like Instagram, YouTube, personal websites, and more.

Content is the soul of creators, and the focus is on creating fresh content or adding value that interests, informs, and educates their audience. Each content field requires creators to have the proficiency to thrive and earn, including good communication, proper knowledge, and engaging content delivery.

Historical Evolution of the Creator Economy

Early 2000s – Birth of Blogging

  • People began sharing content online.
  • Platforms like Blogger provided tools.
  • Monetization mainly through ads and sponsors.

Mid-2000s – Rise of YouTube

  • YouTube launched in 2005.
  • Video creators could monetize through AdSense.
  • The partnership program helped creators earn.

Late 2000s – Social Media Growth

  • Platforms like Facebook, Twitter expanded.
  • Influencers began to emerge.
  • Brand partnerships and sponsored content became popular.

Early 2010s – Emergence of New Platforms

  • Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok launched.

Diverse content formats evolved.

  • Influencer marketing industry grew significantly.

Mid-2010s – Subscription Models

  • Patreon allowed subscriptions.
  • Creators earned directly from fans.
  • A new, more sustainable revenue stream developed.

Late 2010s – Expansion of Tools & Platforms

  • More platforms provided monetization tools.
  • Live streaming, eCommerce integration flourished.
  • Creator-focused startups emerged.

2020s – Mainstreaming and Growth:

  • Pandemic increased online content consumption.
  • New platforms and features continued to launch.
  • Creator economy valued at approximately $104 billion by 2021.
Period Milestones Key Platforms
Early 2000s Birth of Blogging
Blogger, WordPress
Mid-2000s Rise of YouTube
Rise of YouTube YouTube
Late 2000s Social Media Growth YouTube
Early 2010s Emergence of New Platforms Facebook, Twitter
Mid-2010s Subscription Models
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok
Late 2010s Expansion of Tools & Platforms Patreon
2020s Mainstreaming and Growth Twitch, Shopify

Factors contributing to the rise of the creator economy

There are several factors that contribute to the rapid growth in creator space and boost the creator economy. Some of these common factors include

The rise in internet usage and the globalization of content consumption

According to datareportal insights, by the start of April 2021, over 300 million people worldwide started using the internet in the past 12 months. The annual change in the number of global internet users is more than 7.6%. The demand for creative content will likely grow with the world becoming more digitized.

With wider internet access, the market gap between the supply and demand side of the creator economy narrows. Wireless infrastructure and last mile internet reach are surely giving an economic boost to localized content to reach a global audience. In the next few years, we will likely see high volume growth in the creator economy.

“Number of creators on the 50 most popular creator platforms stands at 668,000.”

Disruption in formal employment opportunities

Ever since the pandemic outbreak, there have been massive job losses and an increase in countless job-seekers. Fresh graduates had to sit idle at home. Some of them jobless and creative artists became overnight sensations. In 2021 itself, the 50 million creator economy escalated to $14 billion. Creators now look for additional revenue sources and flexible job culture empowered by remote work technologies.

Many small businesses collaborate with influencers and online creators to boost brand visibility and attention. By leveraging these influencers’ voices and reach, many could ensure business continuity and increase their sales. In fact, boosting the creator economy is the dire need to compensate for the lack of formal job opportunities.

  • YouTube is considered the birthplace of the creator economy, and a report outlined its contribution to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
  • Oxford Research found that YouTube’s creative ecosystem supported 394K equivalent jobs in the United States in 2020, paying over $30 billion to creators, artists, and media companies.

The popularity of short-form video content

Video is now the most popular form of content on the internet, and people are continuously looking for new and interesting videos to watch. People love short-form video content as it is easy to consume and can be watched on any device. People watch short-form videos while on the go and are also more likely to share them with their friends. You can learn or get a good laugh within minutes by watching reels or short videos.

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“53% of content creators’ fans say that their ideal length for a video is under 5 minutes.”

  • According to a HubSpot report, 85% of marketers consider short videos as the most effective video format on social media.  In 2022, brands will focus more on short-form educational videos focused on how-to’s, DIYs, and explainer videos.
  • People are increasingly turning to short online videos for entertainment, news, and even education. More and more students and teachers are using short-form educational videos to supplement traditional classroom instruction.

An increasing number of creator economy platforms and tools

A lot of content creators look for different ways to monetize their work. Now there are many monetization platforms helping creators earn a decent income from their work.

  • One of the most popular monetization platforms is YouTube. You can create videos and then monetize them through ads. You can even join the YouTube Partner Program, which gives you a share of the revenue from the ads shown on your videos.
  • Educators now possess multiple no-code and easy solutions like LMS to create, integrate and monetize their educational content.
  • Video security mechanisms like DRM, which used to be available only for Google and Apple, are now available to everyone through Authorized license partners like VdoCipher. Earlier the creators had no option to tackle their video piracy problem and eventually had to face revenue loss.
  • Another popular monetization platform is Patreon. With Patreon, you can create content and ask your fans to support you by becoming patrons. It may be a good earning source if you have a large audience base.
  • Several platforms also specialize in selling digital products, such as ebooks, courses, and other types of content. These platforms can be a great way to monetize your work if you have something of value to sell. Find the right platform for your content, experiment with free templates, and see what works best for your specific situation.

top monetization platforms infographic

“Nearly 41% of creators make a liveable wage from their content at $50k in annual income or higher.”

Many creators are moving beyond popular earning models like sponsorships and Patreon towards new and innovative monetization methods. Be it NFTs or workshops or developing own brand into a full-scale business. Not all models seem to prove successful, but some certainly will.

Bond of trust between Creators and Audience

Creators have become the key players for brands to reach targeted audiences. Many creators build their audience on social media by promoting their knowledge and talents. Their admiration or reputation roots in their creativity and unique individuality. Multinational companies engage with the mass audience with unique campaigns involving famous creators instead of big celebrities. Creators now have the power to connect with unrepresented groups and nations, which is a big opportunity for creators and companies.

Communicating with creators can take many forms, including leaving comments, sending messages, or following their social media handles. When fans take the time to communicate with creators, it shows that they are invested in what they are doing and that they are willing to support them. This can go a long way in building trust between fans and creators.

In some cases, the close relationship and bond of trust between fans and creators allow for the wrong transmission of inaccurate and misleading information. Some creators even take undue advantage of the trust fans put in their favourite creators. There have been plenty of examples of content creators propagating wrong and conspiracy theories. 

“44% of fans feel they know their favourite creators, as well as they know their real-world friends.”

Investment in creative content

Investing in high-quality creative content is wise for businesses of all sizes regardless of whether your business is about SEO link building software or eCommerce. After all, compelling content is one of the most effective ways to reach and engage your target audience. It helps build trust and credibility, drive your website or business traffic, and generate leads and sales. Creators and businesses (especially after announcing ChatGPT), sometimes rely on AI content tools. Our advice will be to use also AI Detector tools to ensure that your content looks human-like and will be perceived positively by your audience. It’s also possible to create captivating AI art effortlessly with the use of AI art generator tools, but you may still need a graphic artist to develop brand-ready images. Since 2020, venture capital has invested $850 million into the creator economy.

The growing number of unicorns in the creator economy shows the huge potential for venture capital investors, startup founders, and creators. This type of investment into the creator space sends a strong message that the creator economy is a big force to be reckoned with. According to Crunchbase data, funding for startups focused on creative content in 2021 was $939 million.

“The actual rate an advertiser pays per view on YouTube is between $0.003 to $0.005, which means a YouTuber receives nearly $3 to $5 per 1000 views”

Creators are doing what they like to do and are best at what they do while delegating out the things they are not good at. There is a need for other tools to help creators run their work, such as hosting videos, managing revenue, contacting brands and businesses, hiring resources and more.

  • LinkedIn announced a $25 million fund via its Creator Accelerator program
  • Pinterest built monetization tools and launched a $500,000 creator fund
  • YouTube added a $100 million fund just for Shorts, its TikTok-like feature
  • In 2020, TikTok, after a $200 million fund, launched new monetization features     

Creator economy ecosystem

                                             Creator Economy Ecosystem

The Benefits of working with Creators

Enhanced Return on Investment

Among marketers who implement influencer marketing strategies, approximately 25% report it as having the second-highest return on investment (ROI) compared to other marketing approaches. In the B2B sector, influencer marketing is particularly potent, yielding an ROI that is eleven times greater than that of traditional advertising methods. This strategy is especially effective in influencing Generation Z consumers, with one-third reporting purchases based on influencer endorsements within a recent three-month period.

Expanded Reach and Brand Awareness

As organic reach diminishes on social media platforms—which promote a pay-to-play model—the importance of influencer collaborations becomes increasingly crucial. For example, by July 2022, the average organic reach for Instagram posts by brands had fallen to 13.51%, a decrease of 29% from the previous year. Similarly, Facebook’s post reach reduced from 10.43% to 8.6%. Influencers can significantly extend a brand’s reach by tapping into their established communities.

Innovations in Search and Discovery

Modern consumers frequently prefer social media platforms over traditional search engines for finding information. Surveys by Google indicate that 40% of younger users favor platforms like TikTok and Instagram for searches, attributable to the personalized and relevant content these platforms offer through sophisticated algorithms. Thus, collaborating with content creators is becoming essential for enhancing a brand’s search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility.

Authenticity and Trust

Utilizing user-generated content (UGC) from creators helps B2B companies enhance their brand’s authenticity and foster trust among potential clients. Moreover, UGC allows brands to diversify their content sources, which is particularly beneficial for organizations with limited marketing and creative resources.

Strategic Data Capture

Engaging with new communities via influencers enables brands to access a rich source of audience data. As regulations make acquiring third-party data increasingly challenging, the information gathered directly from interactions on creators’ platforms—such as post feedback, comment tags, and user engagement metrics—becomes invaluable. This data can inform future marketing strategies and help refine target audience profiles.

eLearning Creator economy

In the last two years after the pandemic, there’s been a growing trend of people making a living off by creating and selling eLearning courses. This is often referred to as the “elearning creator economy.” There has been a growing demand for online learning platforms, which makes it easy for educational creators to sell and monetize their content. More people now look for affordable and non-traditional ways to learn new skills online. They can study at their own pace and in their own time. They can also access learning materials from anywhere in the world. Year over year, creators are succeeding in generating revenue through online education.

top productd elearning creators are selling infographic

Top creators are broadening their revenue streams, moving from online courses to selling other products and services. Around 83% of the top educational creators already offer multiple services and products. Instead of a single course, creators provide a complete learning package for students, including memberships, interactive sessions, ebooks, physical products, and other complimentary services. Creators use live and scheduled lessons to build a sense of community among students. These small interactions, in turn, build engagement with each other. The end purpose is to create a learning environment to achieve success.

OTT Creator Economy

Most YouTube creators look for different ways to monetize their content. Even when their channel has built a fan following, there is a constant fight to retain the audience. To achieve a sustainable income, creators must navigate their followers from the platform their audience is built on to a place with diversified monetization options. Many creators have perfected the transition to subtly divert a loyal audience towards more financially supported content creation platforms. An OTT platform matches the portfolio of these creators and offers a valuable extension to their earning mediums. 

“By 2026, media OTT revenue is expected to surpass $200 billion”

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OTT platforms have proven to be a boon for content creators. The OTT space is where talent is respected and rewarded, irrespective of who you are or where you come from. OTT platforms offer a more direct path to audiences than traditional television or movie platforms. This means that creators can build a more direct relationship with their fans and can more easily connect with viewers who are interested in their work.  OTT gives content creators a more stable revenue source and chances to reach a larger audience.

Creator Economy Market Size & Statistics

  • By 2022, the global digital video content market is expected to reach $204 billion USD
  • The total investments in creator economy startups was $1.7 billion in Q2, 2021
  • 12% of full-time creators earn more than $50K 
  • 9% niche creators earn more than $100K in a year
  • 68% creators consider themselves part-time creators
  • Short-form video is the most engaging content on Instagram
  • Online learning market expected to surpass $305 billion by 2025
  • 17% of consumers subscribe to a creator’s membership website
  • 67% consumers learned about a new product through creator videos
  • YouTube paid creators more than $15 billion throughout 2021
  • During the pandemic, ad-revenue for creators declined by 31%
  • Over 21K YouTube creators have more than 1 million subscribers
  • 425% increase in enrollments to online learning courses 
  • Twitch has over 300K professional streamers

Why do Creators need secure video hosting and video protection?

Video hosting platforms allow users to upload, share, or view videos. Popular video hosting platforms include YouTube and Dailymotion. There are several reasons why video content creators need secure video hosting. One reason is that secure video hosting helps ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Additionally, secure videos protect learners’ privacy by protecting their personal information from sharing with third-party organizations.

“As per Digital TV Research, by 2022, the total loss from stream piracy will reach $52 billion”

To discourage video piracy and protect your videos from unauthorized access and usage, creators need a secure video hosting platform with additional security and features. The moment someone has access to their premium content, the very next minutes, the content is freely available on the web. Everyone must keep their videos secure, whether they’re vloggers, gamers, individual creators, Ed-tech or media enterprises.

VdoCipher’s Hollywood Grade Video DRM encryption allows you to protect a wide range of video file formats. The videos streamed via VdoCipher cannot be downloaded by any internet plugin or software. DRM technology uses encryption to protect content from unauthorized copying and playback. The user needs a valid DRM license to play the video content with access on only authorized devices. Only people with the appropriate key can decrypt and access the video.

DRM Encrypted Streaming

DRM encrypted streaming uses digital rights management technology to prevent unauthorized copying and playback of digital video content. DRM-protected content is typically streamed over the internet from a content provider to a user’s computer or other devices. The user’s device decrypted the video using a DRM key that the content provider provides. The user’s device then plays the content using a DRM-compliant media player. We offer the highest security from video piracy using Google Widevine and Apple FairPlay DRM.

Dynamic watermarking

Watermarking your videos is yet another great way to protect your videos from being duplicated and let others know who the original owner or creator is. Content creators can add watermarks to their videos to give the branding and restrict others from claiming it as their own. Our dynamic watermark features let you add User name, User IP, and User email to the video. The watermark can be easily customized for movement, colour, size, and transparency.

Smart HTML5 Video Player

Our smart HTML5 video player comes with dynamic controls, Multi-Language Subtitles support, adaptive bitrate streaming, and more.  In the Adaptive Multi-bitrate Playback, the media player automatically adjusts the quality of the video stream according to the bandwidth availability. It ensures smooth video playback without any buffering or interruptions. You can easily embed using iFrame, plugins and API.

Easy to integrate Plugins For WordPress/LMS and other CMS

VdoCipher provides easy integration support for many platforms like WordPress, Moodle, Joomla and many others. These plugin let you easy embed your videos and even place customization as per your requirements. For more advanced usage APIs and SDKs are also available.

Content Creators and Social Media Platforms

The relationship between creators and social platforms is simple. The platforms offer the creators a space to reach a broader audience, and in turn, creators supply almost free content for users to engage. This engagement drives the monetization options (advertising) on the platform. Creators use the platform to build fandoms and monetize on the platform. Content creators get a share of the ad revenue, which is nearly 5% of the overall generated revenue on the platform.

In short, social media provides creators with both top-of-funnel and middle-of-the-funnel marketing reach. Creators can choose to publish general content creating awareness about a broad topic. Also, they can target a niche audience by creating content only for that niche. In general, what we see is a combination of both generic and niche content combined with the final product knowledge using the text description in captions, bio, etc.

Tagging a product, retargeting, and other such platform-dependent features have now evolved into social media. Creators and companies that used to publish on social media to create awareness are now directly targeting it for sales. Also, these features are expected to become ubiquitous and enhanced, leading to more sales and commissions.

Types of content produced by creators

Popular Content Produced by Creators
Writing Video & Audio Social Media
📃 Blogs Vlogs Testimonials
✍ White Papers User-Generated Content Infographics
✏ eBooks & Guides Live Streams Contests
✉ Email Newsletter Reels Announcements
📑 Product Content Tutorials & courses Social Posts
📁 Case Studies Interviews Reviews

Common Revenue Models for Content Creators

Membership

In the membership program, the creators offer exclusive perks and benefits upon joining. The common benefits members receive include

  • Exclusive Content (member-only articles, podcast episodes, newsletters, etc.)
  • Member-Only Events (in-person or online events, meetups, both online and offline)
  • Contents and Challenges
  • Coupons and discounts

Subscriptions

A subscription is a recurring payment customers pay to access a service, content or product. The subscription pricing model can be either Flat-rate, Tiered or usage-based.

  • Flat-Rate Subscription – A fixed subscription fee billed weekly, monthly or annually
  • Tiered Subscription – Subscribers choose a subscription pricing model based on features and additional benefits they wish to avail of. There are usually basic and premium subscriptions.

Earlier this year, Instagram introduced “Subscriptions” with a handful of creators to set a monthly subscription price and give benefits to their subscribers. The features include Subscriber Lives, Badges, Stories and more.

Selling Merchandise

Creators and businesses may choose to sell their products and exclusive merchandise to their fans and followers through social media, websites or other mediums. About 43% of consumers are likely to make a purchase after knowing about it on social media. With these kinds of stats, creators cannot miss-selling their merchandise then and there. Many social sites even include product search features, wishlists and make a purchase.

Brand Sponsorship

In a brand sponsorship campaign, businesses and brands partner with creators to promote their products, services or content. The creators distribute and promote the sponsored content on various social platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and more. Even micro (<25K followers) and nano influencers (<10K followers) contribute a large part of brand sponsorships.

Donations

Nowadays, several creators earn money through donations from fans and supporters. It is usually done through websites like Patreon, where fans sign up and donate a specific amount to their favourite creators each month. Many social media platforms and websites have donation buttons. Moreover, different organisations can also get nonprofit donations thanks to technology and online platforms available.Sometimes creators hold crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for their work or project.

Google Adsense and other ad networks

Ad revenue sharing is the most common way creators earn. Ad revenue sharing is when a creator agrees to allow an ad network to place ads on their content in exchange for a share of the revenue generated from those ads.

Google AdSense is the most popular way creators earn money from their online content. AdSense works by displaying relevant ads on your site based on your content and visitors. To promote products and services, advertisers create and pay for ads. These advertisers pay different prices for different ads. Based on ad clicks and impressions, Google pays a share of revenue with the publishers.

“For displaying ads with AdSense for content, publishers earn 68% of the ad revenue while for AdSense for search, the revenue share is 51%”

The other ad monetization methods are cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-impression (CPM) advertising. In CPC advertising, the creators are paid based on the number of times users click on their content and the amount earned depends on the ad network. On the other hand, in CPM advertisements, creators earn based on the number of times their content is viewed. 

Endorse or sell NFTs

NFTs are non-fungible tokens. They are unique digital assets that cannot be interchanged with other assets of the same type. NFTs are bought and sold online, commonly with cryptocurrency, and are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos. NFTs can be anything, from video clips, GIFs, and digital paintings to music like some paintings sold in auctions in previous decades.

Some NFT marketplaces pay creators a percentage every time their NFT is sold. By buying NFTs, supporters and fans can financially support their favourite creators. Earlier this year, Jack Dorsey sold his first tweet for $2.9 Million.

Selling digital products

Creators can sell digital products like courses, webinars, video games, and digital downloads. They can sell these through online marketplaces like Etsy, Podia, their own website, or social media platforms.

Challenges and Criticisms of the Creator Economy

Market Saturation and Competitiveness

As the creator economy continues to grow, it faces challenges related to market saturation and increased competitiveness. With millions of creators producing content across various platforms, standing out and gaining traction becomes more difficult. This heightened competition can lead to oversaturation in certain niches and make it harder for new creators to establish themselves. While this challenge reflects the vibrant and dynamic nature of the creator economy, it also raises questions about sustainability and the need for differentiation.

Criticisms Regarding Inclusivity and Accessibility

The creator economy has also faced criticisms concerning inclusivity and accessibility. While the internet has democratized content creation to some extent, disparities still exist. Not all creators have equal access to tools, resources, and opportunities. Barriers related to technology, education, and capital can hinder participation for some individuals. Moreover, algorithms and platform policies may inadvertently favor certain types of content or creators. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring that the creator economy remains an inclusive and equitable space for all.

Future of the Creator Economy

The creator economy seems to only grow in the future. With increasing monetization platforms and access to tools, creators can make a living off of their content. And as more people become creators, the economy will only grow.

In the future, we may see new monetization mediums and even creators with their own platforms. This will lead to more and more brands and companies partnering with creators to promote their products and services. The future of the creator economy looks promising and full of opportunity.

Creators who can adapt and evolve will be able to thrive in this ever-changing landscape. In the coming times, creators must come up with fresh, engaging and interesting ideas.

  • Community-based platforms will grow
  • Influencer marketing will become more important
  • Demand for content creation tools will increase
  • Creator-led brands will gain popularity
  • NFTs are likely to play a key role in the creator economy
  • Web3 technologies will open new avenues for content creation

Latest in the Content Creator Economy

The Creator Economy, once enveloped in widespread enthusiasm, is now facing the harsh realities of an economic downturn. This sector, defined by its digital content creators ranging from bloggers and YouTubers to podcasters and social media influencers, is reportedly struggling as investments wane and economic conditions worsen.
Investor interest is declining, with the valuation of new startups falling significantly from previous highs. For instance, the era of startups achieving $1.3 billion valuations merely for their potential seems to be over. Additionally, the infrastructure supporting these creators, heavily reliant on venture capital, is also at risk as funding dries up.

Challenges Faced by the Creator Economy

  • Economic downturns and reduced investment levels are pressuring all sectors, but the Creator Economy feels it acutely due to its reliance on discretionary spending. As consumers tighten their belts, spending on subscriptions and sponsored content can decline, which directly affects creator revenues.
  • Market saturation is another significant challenge. With low barriers to entry, new creators are constantly emerging, making it increasingly difficult to capture and retain audience attention.
  • The reliance on algorithmic platforms means that changes in platform algorithms can dramatically alter a creator’s visibility and revenue overnight, which adds an element of unpredictability to their earnings.

The Myth of a Non-existent Middle Class

A critical issue highlighted is the absence of a well-defined middle class within the creator community. The viability of content creation remains feasible primarily for the top-tier creators, leaving those in the middle struggling to find their footing. This disparity is emphasized by the example of the “37th best finance creator,” who, despite being highly ranked, faces significant challenges in standing out and securing a sustainable income.

  • The notion that only the top creators make a viable living overlooks the experiences of thousands of mid-tier creators who carve out comfortable niches. These creators often benefit from highly engaged, though smaller, audience bases that can offer more sustainable and predictable income streams through direct support mechanisms like Patreon and memberships.
  • Diversification strategies are critical here; successful mid-tier creators often spread their presence across multiple platforms and revenue streams, reducing their vulnerability to changes in any single channel.
  • Community building is also a vital strategy for these creators. By fostering a strong sense of community, mid-tier creators can enhance audience loyalty and increase the willingness of followers to support them financially.

Challenging the Negative Outlook

Critics of the creator economy, like Kantrowitz, cite shrinking advertising markets and a faltering middle class as signs of decline. However, this narrative is challenged by data indicating that the advertising sector, while slowing, is still growing. Moreover, platforms like YouTube continue to see robust payouts, with significant sums being paid to creators annually.

  • While some focus on the contraction of advertising budgets, they fail to account for the rise of alternative monetization strategies that creators are increasingly tapping into. These include direct sales, e-learning courses, and premium content models, which can be more resilient to economic downturns.
  • It is also essential to recognize the resilience of niche markets within the Creator Economy. Certain niches continue to experience growth despite broader economic challenges, driven by specific audience needs and evolving content trends.
  • The expansion of global internet access is continually opening new markets where creators can find fresh audiences and untapped opportunities for monetization.

Analyzing the Investment Trends

  • While the overall venture funding landscape has seen a retreat, this needs to be viewed in context. Not all sectors are experiencing this equally, and within the Creator Economy, areas like educational technology and digital marketplaces are still attracting significant interest.
    The decline in some high-profile investments should not overshadow the continued investment in foundational technologies such as streaming infrastructure, content management systems, and creator-focused fintech solutions.
  • Historical cycles suggest that investment in innovation does not cease but rather shifts towards supporting sustainable growth and profitability in response to economic pressures.

Sustainability of the Creator Economy Infrastructure

  • The robustness of the Creator Economy’s infrastructure is often underappreciated. Platforms like Stripe and WordPress not only continue to operate but actively expand their services to better meet creator needs, such as integrating more advanced payment and monetization options.
  • New developments in content delivery technology, including augmented reality and virtual reality, promise to open up novel content interaction modes that could rejuvenate interest and engagement among audiences.
  • Furthermore, the success of platforms such as Patreon and Twitch showcases the viability of models centered around direct audience support, which lessens reliance on traditional advertising and enhances sustainability.

FAQs

Name of some of the famous creator economy startups.

Beacons, Buy me a Coffee, and Patreon are some of the creator economy startup examples.

What are some of the editing creator tools for YouTubers?

The most common tools used for editing are iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Rush.

Why do creator videos require DRM encryption?

Video creators need DRM encryption to protect their content from online video piracy. DRM encryption ensures that only authorized users access and view the content and that unauthorized users cannot copy or distribute the content. It secures the video against unauthorized access and copyright infringement. When the video is properly secured from hackers, there is boost in generated revenue.

What are the challenges of the creator economy?

The creator economy challenges include the need for creators to constantly create unique content to hold the audience and more platforms to support a wide range of content types with monetization methods that work for both creators and platforms. To have uniformity across the sector, there needs to be standard and well-established practices.

Which is the biggest platform for creators?

According to Statista, Instagram has the most creators ( more than 30 million), followed by YouTube with over 12 million creators.

How many creators earn more than $1 million?

Roughly 0.5% of creators make over  $1 million annually, while those earning between $500K-1M are nearly 1.7% of the creator economy.

References:

  • https://influencermarketinghub.com/state-of-the-creator-economy/
  • https://linktr.ee/creator-report/
  • https://www.springboard.com/blog/business-and-marketing/creator-economy/
  • https://stripe.com/blog/creator-economy
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/08/30/the-continuous-growth-and-future-of-the-creator-economy/
  • https://www.thinkific.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/online-learning-trends.pdf

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Best Video Frame Rate or FPS for Cinematic Movies, 4K, YouTube & Instagram https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/video-frame-rate/ Sun, 11 Feb 2024 10:44:51 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?page_id=13415 Best Video Frame Rate or FPS for Cinematic Movies, 4K, YouTube & Instagram We often admire cinematographers and directors for creating masterpiece movies and videos. But the question is, who made this possible and How the Video Frame Rate come into the picture? Before videos and films, we were only able to see the real […]

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Best Video Frame Rate or FPS for Cinematic Movies, 4K, YouTube & Instagram

 Video Frame Rate banner imageWe often admire cinematographers and directors for creating masterpiece movies and videos. But the question is, who made this possible and How the Video Frame Rate come into the picture? Before videos and films, we were only able to see the real motion of the world at a standard speed, but thanks to Eadweard Muybridge, who accidentally invented motion pictures. Muybridge wanted to examine the running pattern of horses and thus, created a system of photo cameras that were triggered to capture the horse’s motion sequentially. On inspecting, he realized that closely related images in chronological succession could mimic movements.
Remember those cute little flipbooks where each pad had a single image, and when you flipped the pages quickly, the photos would appear as moving. This is how a video works. A video isn’t just one continuous recording. Instead, a series of still images, when flashed on a screen at a certain speed, give the illusion of moving objects or motion. Each of these images is a Frame and Video Frame Rate or Frame per second (fps) is the rate at which these images are projected.

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Different frame rates impact the viewing experience of a video, and several factors must be considered before selecting a video frame rate. For example, early silent films had 14-26 frames per second, and later with sound synchronization, 24 fps became the standard cinematic video frame rate. Later 30 fps and 60 fps became the new standard for broadcast video production, and still, 25 fps remained the film production standard. With the advancement of technology in the videography sector, triple-digit frame rates are becoming popular (120, 144, 240,480 fps, and more).

What is Video Frame Rate or frames per second (fps)?

Video Frame rate (frames per second or FPS) is the frequency or the number of times consecutive still images are flashed on display. Every single image is known as a frame. When viewed on a screen in quick succession at a certain speed, these individual images give the appearance of motion. In other words, the frame rate is the count of the number of individual still photos projected on the screen in a given second.

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For example, if a video is captured and played back at 24fps, that means every second of a video shows 24 different still images. Depending on the selection of the number of frames per second while shooting and playback, the motion of a video changes, be it normal motion, slow motion, time-lapse and more.

What are the Different common frame rates in Video?

Early filmmakers and animators discovered ways to create a motion perception through trial and error, somewhere between 12 and 16 fps. Anything below this threshold gave the brain perception of the display of a series of discrete images. Most silent films were filmed at around 16 to 18 frames per second and projected around 20-24 fps. This motion made films like Charlie Chaplin so comical.

Later, with the advent of sounds in films, filmmakers felt the need for a standard frame rate, and 24 fps became the choice.

24 fps

This is the standard cinematic video frame rate for movies and TV shows. 24 fps is the standard minimum frame rate to capture Video with realistic motion. It is most similar to how we see the world and has the most cinematic look. Busy scenes shot at 24 fps cause a lot of motion blurs.

30 fps

Despite 24 fps being a standard cinematic choice, 30 fps has also been a standard for television for many years. 30 fps gives a slighter smooth visual presentation and detailing at high motion. However, the Video will still look unnatural in high motion and may suffer from the soap opera effect.

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60 fps

Anything at 60 fps and above gives the Video an incredibly smooth and crisp appearance. Such fast frame rates are used when a lot of movement or motions are happening on the screen. 60 fps is mostly used in scenes with a lot of moves like video games, action movies, or anything to be shown in slow motion with fine detailing and smoothness. More frames mean more detailing, and hence, sports are primarily recorded in higher frame rates to be slowed down to show replays while still maintaining the video clarity.

120 fps

Super slow motion shots of an epic football kick, car drifting scenes in games, or baseball batter swinging his bat are shot in 120 fps or even 240 fps, making the scene too smooth and crisp. 120+ fps is usually preferred in gaming, making them more realistic and fast-paced. The faster the game, the higher the processing power of the hardware system. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, when played above 100+ fps, remarkably improve the gaming experience. Ang Lee too shot the Gemini Man movie at 120 fps.

What is the difference between 30fps vs 60fps vs 120fps?

The difference between 30, 60, and 120 frames rates has to do with how the images look. All these frame rates differ in the number of frames or photos captured in a second. Low frame rates can make the movements in the Video choppy or broken, but frame rates below 30 fps (around 8 to 10 fps) are ideal for smooth recording of time-lapse videos or ones without fast-moving objects. If the video records something fast like traffic, 30 fps gives smooth and more realistic movements. 60 fps is another television standard frame rate mostly seen in commercials on television these days. Most movies are now produced at 60 frames per second, giving more smoothness over 30 frames per second. Generally, computers have adopted 60 fps as the bare minimum output frame rate. 30 fps is slowly becoming a thing of the past in modern gaming and display.

Moving to 120 frames per second, the viewing experience gets crisper, eradicating the screen tearing problem. Slow-motion shots with fine detailing are often shot on 120 or 240 fps. At 120 fps, the input is more responsive than 60 fps, and the best way to notice the difference between 60 fps and 120 fps is by comparing them in quick succession. However, running at higher frame rates takes up more resources, and this viewing experience comes with extra cost. For most people, after 60 to 100 fps, it becomes harder to notice the difference. Moving from 30 fps to 60 fps gives a totally different viewing experience, and anything above hardly shows any difference unless a 3D game is played.

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What is the Relationship between Video Resolution and Frame Rate?

Video Resolution is the amount of data you can fit in a frame (expressed in pixels per inch). The more the number of pixels, the higher the resolution. While shooting on a smartphone, there are several options to select video frame rate and video resolution. For example, 720p HD at 30 fps, 1080p at 30 fps, 1080p at 60fps or 4K at 30 fps. Let us take an example and understand how video resolution affects frame rate and vice versa. You can read more about SD vs HD in this blog.

A 16 MP resolution has 4928 x 3264 pixels. For a 30 fps refresh rate, 16 million pixels in each frame (30 frames) per second are updated, which takes 1/30 of a second to render a frame. This rendering time must not exceed the frame rate. Remember, GPU drives the frame rate while the CPU controls the resolution. If the GPU works more to render an image, the resolution suffers. A complex gaming condition will lower the resolution to display the rendered image correctly. Anything above 30 fps is the niche market of gamers and graphic enthusiasts. An average viewer may not notice the difference between resolutions like 720p and 1080p. But, at higher resolutions like 4K and 8K, the difference between them is easily noticeable.

Expert’s Advice on Choosing Video Frame Rates

Regional Considerations

Energy frequencies differ with PAL at 50 hertz and NTSC at 60 hertz, affecting frame rate choice when dealing with electronics. In the PAL region, there’s no difference in cinematic quality between 24 and 25 frames per second.

Quality vs. Slow Motion

Not all high frame rates mean better quality. 25 frames per second looks natural, while 100 frames can seem choppy unless intentionally used for effects. Switching to 50 frames per second during a dive sequence can create a surreal underwater experience. The overall speed of the film should dictate the frame rate. Using all slow-mo shots requires a matching script or music, while fast cuts with too much slow motion can be jarring.

Importance of Conforming in Post-production

Ensuring the frame rate of a clip matches the timeline. A 30-frame-per-second drone shot can look laggy if exported at 25 without conforming. Not conforming 30p footage to a 25p timeline can cause syncing issues with dialogue.

Movement & Frame Rate

The speed of the subject influences frame rate choice. 24/25 frames per second portray real speed, best seen with a mountain biker descending a hill. 60 frames per second is suitable for important moments, while 120 frames per second captures fast movements. 60p is used for head turns or hair flips, and 120p is ideal for capturing swift elements like water or sand.

The 180-degree Shutter Rule

Shutter speed should be double the frame rate for natural motion blur. Shooting at 25 frames per second requires a 50 shutter speed for natural blur, otherwise, movements can appear choppy.

Neutral Density Filters & Their Importance

ND filters manage exposure while maintaining desired shutter speeds. Cheap ND filters can degrade footage, but high-quality ones like the Nissy true color VND do not introduce color casts.

Does frame rate affect file size?

As the frame rate increases, more frames are used per second to display the sequenced images, resulting in a smoother motion. More images packed into every second of the Video means more information and bigger files with more export time. High-quality Video is always desirable, but higher fps means more file size and bandwidth consumption. File size reduction requires lowering the bitrate or the frame rate. Lowering the bitrate while leaving the frame rate unchanged reduces the image quality. High resolution, frame rate, and satisfactory bitrate value together affect the video quality.

Standard cinematic & best Video frame rate for 4K videos

Earlier movies at their native frame rate of 24 FPS have necessarily face the pulldown process at the time of display on devices supporting 60Hz. This was to convert 24 frames per second in the video into the required 60 frames per second for the device. As a result, every odd frame gets repeated or played twice, while every even frame gets tripled, creating an uneven motion.

Due to similar uneven frame doubling, newer video standards come with a support of 30, 60, 120, 240, or 300 frames per second. These standards are suitable for both cinematic movies and 4K displays. Note that 4K is a device resolution thing and has nothing to do with video frame rates.

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Best FPS or Video Frame Rate for YouTube videos

YouTube supports 24 to 60 frames per second with a maximum of 8K support. Different genres of YouTubers select frame rates based on the camera equipment, nature of the content, and target audience. For YouTube videos, given below are some of the most popular video frame rates.

  • Talk Shows, Video Podcasts – 30 FPS
  • Gaming Highlights, Montages, Makeup Tutorials – 60 FPS
  • Academic and Learning videos, Fitness & Health Channels – 24-30 FPS
  • Sports Highlights – 40-60 FPS

Slow-motion and Time-Lapse Video Frame Rate

Slow-motion occurs when the shooting video frame rate is higher than the playback frame rate. So the faster your video frame rate is while shooting, the slower things will appear in the playback.
For example, When we shoot a video at 120 fps and play it back at 30 fps, it appears four times slower. Let us look at some recommended slow-motion video frame rates.

60 FPS – Things look pretty slow (blowing candles on a cake, people walking)

120 FPS – Things appear moving slightly faster (pets running, slower sports)

240 – 480 FPS – Motions that happen too quickly for eyes to see (fast sports, water splashing, skiing, golf swings)

960 FPS – Great for balloons popping, breaking things, explosion scenes.

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Time-Lapse Video Frame Rate: In the time-lapse cinematography technique, a series of still images are shot and played at a higher frame rate. This creates the illusion of high-speed movement as if the subject is moving very rapidly. Some time-lapse shots include the movement of stars at night, sunrise ad sunset, or the growth of plants. For time-lapse photography, the recommended standard shutter speed is double the frame rate. For example, a shot captured at 25 fps should have a shutter speed of 1/50.

To determine the number of images, your time-lapse requires, use this simple calculation: (desired frame rate)*(clip duration in seconds) = Total frames needed. For example, if the video is 30 seconds long and captured at 30 fps, one needed 900 images for 30 seconds of footage.

Best Video Frame Rate for Gaming

Broadly games can be of the ‘thinking type’ where the gameplay is slow-paced or can be ‘twitch reaction’ styled where gameplay is happening quickly. For example, card games, role-playing games, strategy games are generally slow-paced, while games such as racing, adventures, action, or fighting require extreme reaction speed. Typically, 30 fps is the lowest frame rate at which a game can be playable. Still, for most gamers, 60 fps is the ideal frame rate for gaming owing to fast responsiveness, smoothness, clarity, and viewing experience.

Slow-paced games such as Civilization, where visually not many changes happen in a second, opting for a low frame rate can be tolerable. On the other hand, for games like Counter-Strike, one needs to have a high frame rate as the gamer needs to turn to face several directions within seconds. Thus, playing Civilization at 30 fps is somewhat acceptable, but playing Counter-Strike is infuriating at a low frame rate.

Triple-digit frame rates like 120 fps, 144 fps, and 240 fps are for highly competitive gamers, but many enjoy playing single-player games at extreme responsiveness, reduced input latency, and zero tearing. Sony has already revealed that its next-generation systems will support 120 fps. Ghostrunner, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Borderlands 3 are some available games at 120 fps.

30 FPS – Minimum playable frame rate. Anything below this gives significant shuttering. Suited for slow-paced games

60 FPS – Ideal frame rate. Used by PS5 and the Xbox Series and most gaming PCs.

120 FPS – Ultra-smooth. Extra responsiveness. Used in high-end gaming PCs

240 FPS – Reserved for fastest 240 Hz monitors. Best experienced on eSports games

Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter Video Frame Rates

  • Facebook feed video, video ads & IGTV – min 30 fps
  • Pinterest video ads – min 25 fps
  • Twitter Ads & Native Videos – 30-60 fps

iPhone Video Frame Rate

By default, iPhone records a video at 30 frames per second (fps). However, in the recent coming iPhones, you can choose Faster frame rates and higher resolutions like 4K with 60fps before recording a video. But do remember that choosing a higher frame rate will lead to larger file size. Your frame rates and video resolution settings lie in Settings > Camera > Record Video, depending on your model.

NTSC & PAL standard frame rate

There are three Television Standards in the world, namely, NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Each comes with its attribute and are not compatible with each other. All the standards are limited to particular parts of the world. DVDs, Blu-rays, and many more media are still labelled on these standards.

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) – It is the oldest existing analog colour-encoding standard developed in the USA in 1954. NTSC displays at a rate of 29.97 frames per second. Some countries that support the NTSC video standard are The United States of America, Netherlands, Japan, Philippines, and South Korea.

PAL (Phase Alternate Line) – Developed in the late 1950s in Germany, the PAL video standard format is used in many European countries and displayed at 25 fps. PAL format deals with issues faced with NTSC like signal instability under poor weather conditions and locally provides the 50 Hz required picture frequency. India, Indonesia, Norway, Spain are some of the countries with PAL standards.

FAQs

What is meant by the soap opera effect or motion/frame interpolation?

It is a video processing technology to digitally analyze concurrent frames and use this data to create intermediary frames. The purpose here is to give a more life-like experience and compensate for the motion blur. Brands call the effect under various names: LG TruMotion, Toshiba ClearFrame, Sony MotionFlow and more.

Is gaming on a 30 fps PC acceptable?

Yes, it is. FPS totally depends on the game you are playing and the graphics you are expecting. Higher frame rates obviously mean a better gaming experience, no freezing or noticeable lags. Single-player games and games with fewer movements are suited for 30fps.

What is the highest fps ever?

An INRS team of researchers have created a ‘T-CUP ultra-fast camera’ that can capture 10 trillion frames per second. The previously achieved highest fps is around five trillion images per second.

Does YouTube support 8K?

Yes. Most 8K videos on YouTube are landscape footage.

Is frame rate different from shutter speed?

Shutter speed and FPS are related to each other, but are different things. You can have same frame rate for different shutter speeds, and vice versa. Shutter speed is the amount of time a shutter opens and allows the frame to get exposed to light. It is measured in fractions of a second, such as 1/60, 1/125, or 1/250. The faster the shutter speed, the less light and motion blur each frame has. The slower the shutter speed, the more light and motion blur each frame has.

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Video chapters on YouTube with timestamp & add chapters to mp4 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/youtube-video-chapters-with-timestamp/ Sun, 19 Nov 2023 11:35:26 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=15127 Video chapters are a feature used in video content, such as those found on platforms like YouTube, to divide the video into segmented sections, each with its own mini title. YouTube launched video chapters in 2020. The feature uses timestamps that creators apply to their videos so that viewers can easily jump to a specific […]

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Video chapters are a feature used in video content, such as those found on platforms like YouTube, to divide the video into segmented sections, each with its own mini title. YouTube launched video chapters in 2020. The feature uses timestamps that creators apply to their videos so that viewers can easily jump to a specific part of the video or rewatch a particular section.

What are video chapters?

Video chapters greatly enhance the user experience by allowing viewers to navigate the video more efficiently, especially in longer content. They function similar to a book’s table of contents but for video content. When used, thumbnails and titles appear along the video’s progress bar, indicating the start of a new chapter.

“Platforms like YouTube have algorithms that favor user-friendly content. Videos with chapters may receive a boost in recommendations and visibility due to their enhanced user experience.”

Video chapters have evolved significantly with digital media. Initially, they were a feature of DVDs, allowing viewers to skip to particular scenes. With the rise of online video platforms like YouTube, video chapters have gained more importance. They enhance user experience, especially in longer videos, by allowing viewers to jump directly to the sections they’re interested in. This feature is not only user-friendly but also aids in content discoverability and engagement. Video chapters also aid persons with disabilities such as visual and hearing impairments.

Why are video chapters gaining popularity among video creators?

Video chapters are based on the practical need for viewers to quickly find and revisit specific parts of a video. This is particularly useful in tutorials, long-form content, or videos covering multiple topics. For creators, this feature reflects an understanding of their audience’s viewing habits and preferences.

It’s especially useful for longer videos, such as tutorials or documentaries, where viewers may be looking for specific information.

Creating effective video chapters requires a good understanding of the content and how viewers might interact with it. Creators need to identify key segments and assign relevant titles that accurately describe each chapter. This demands both content expertise and a good grasp of audience engagement strategies.

Improved User Experience – Viewers can easily skip to the parts they’re interested in.
Better Engagement – Keeps the audience engaged by organizing content.
SEO Benefits – Chapters can improve video SEO, making it more discoverable.

Video chapters can improve the authority of a video by showcasing a well-structured, viewer-centric approach. This not only makes the content more accessible but also demonstrates the creator’s commitment to providing a quality viewing experience.

Well-defined chapters indicate a level of professionalism and attention to detail, which can increase the trustworthiness of the video and its creator. Accurate and helpful chapters assure the viewer that the content is reliable and thoughtfully produced.

Video chapters have evolved significantly since their inception. Let’s look at their history.

Year Development Impact
2000s DVD Chapters Enhanced physical media navigation
2010s Online Experimentation Pioneering digital video chapters
2020 YouTube Auto Chapters Revolutionized online video consumption

Video chapters markers & video timestamp

Video chapters function like bookmarks within a video, dividing it into segmented, titled parts. This segmentation allows viewers to navigate and access specific portions of a video quickly.

Timestamps and Titles

Each chapter is defined by a start timestamp and an associated title. For instance, a chapter might start at 00:01:30 with the title “Introduction.”

User Interface

On platforms supporting chapters, these are usually displayed on the progress bar. Hovering over or clicking on a chapter marker will show the title of that chapter.

Chapter Markers

Chapter markers are not just about timestamps but also involve metadata embedded within the video file or described in an accompanying file or description.

Understanding Metadata

  1. Metadata Integration – Metadata for chapters includes the timestamp, title, and sometimes a brief description. This metadata can be embedded directly into the video file (like in MP4s) or provided separately (like in a YouTube video description).
  2. Software Support – The effectiveness of chapter markers depends on the playback software. Some players can read and display this metadata, while others cannot.
  3. File Formats and Compatibility – Different video file formats support chapter markers in various ways.
  4. Popular Formats – MP4, MKV, and MOV are common formats that support chapter markers. Each format has its method of storing this data.
  5. Compatibility – Not all video players support all formats equally. For instance, some players might read chapter markers from an MP4 file but not from an MKV file.

“From a technical perspective, YouTube Video Chapters enhance user engagement by providing a better user experience. Viewers can easily find the content they’re interested in, which often leads to longer watch times and increased satisfaction. For creators, it’s a tool to structure their content more effectively and potentially improve the video’s discoverability on the platform.”

Creating Video Chapters

Creating video chapters involves both technical and creative considerations.

Technical Process

  • Editing Software – Use video editing software that allows chapter markers to be added. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or even free tools like Shotcut can be used.
  • Embedding Chapters – Chapters can be embedded directly into the video file during the editing or exporting process.
  • External Chapters – For platforms like YouTube, chapters can be added in the video description using timestamps and titles.

Creative Considerations

  • Relevance – Each chapter should correspond to a meaningful and distinct section of the video.
  • Titling – Titles should be concise yet descriptive to give viewers a clear idea of the chapter’s content.
  • Testing and Compatibility – After creating chapters, it’s essential to test the video in different players to ensure the chapters appear and function correctly.

YouTube video chapters

YouTube video chapters allow creators to add specific markers or timestamps within their video, dividing it into distinct, labeled sections. This feature enhances the user experience by making the content more navigable and accessible. Here’s a detailed overview of YouTube video chapters.

Functionality

  • Timestamps and Titles – Chapters are created by adding timestamps and corresponding titles in the video’s description. Each chapter starts with a timestamp (e.g., 0:00, 2:30, 5:00) followed by a title describing that section.
  • Automatic Creation – If a video has at least three timestamps with 10 seconds or more between them, YouTube can automatically create chapters based on those timestamps.
  • Interactive Progress Bar – On the YouTube player, chapters appear as segments on the progress bar. Hovering over these segments shows the title of the chapter, allowing viewers to skip to specific parts of the video easily.

How to Create YouTube video chapters & YouTube timestamp mobile

Adding Timestamps
In your video’s description, start with a timestamp of 00:00, followed by the title of the first chapter. Continue listing timestamps and titles for each subsequent chapter.

Example:

00:00 – Introduction
01:30 – Features Overview
03:00 – User Guide

Minimum Requirement
There must be at least three timestamps listed in ascending order, and the first timestamp must start at 00:00.

Length of Chapters
Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long.

YouTube video chapters offer a significant advantage in making videos more accessible and easier to navigate. By adhering to the guidelines and best practices, creators can enhance viewer experience and potentially increase their video’s visibility and engagement.

“Not all videos are eligible for automatic chapters, and not all eligible videos will have automatic chapters. If the channel has any active strikes, or if the content may be inappropriate to some viewers, the video chapters feature won’t be available.” – Google

Best Practices & limitations for YouTube video chapters

  • Accurate Timing – Ensure that each chapter starts at the exact moment a new segment or topic begins.
  • Descriptive Titles – Use clear, concise titles that accurately describe the content of each chapter.
  • Relevance – Chapters should be relevant and add value to the viewer’s experience.
  • Consistent Formatting – Use a consistent format for timestamps and titles for professionalism and clarity.
  • Spacing Out Chapters – While there’s no upper limit to how many chapters you can have, it’s important to balance between too many (which can clutter the progress bar) and too few (which reduces navigability).
  • SEO Optimization– Chapters can also serve as SEO tools. Including keywords in your chapter titles might help your video become more discoverable.
  • Automatic Chapters – YouTube has introduced automatic chapters for some videos. These are generated using machine learning to identify chapter points. However, creators can opt out or customize these.
  • Editing Chapters – If you need to adjust chapters after your video has been published, you can simply edit the video description. Changes in the timestamps will be reflected in the video chapters.
  • Consider Length – Avoid creating too many chapters in a short video or very long chapters in a longer video.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Minimum Length – Videos must be at least 33 seconds long to have chapters.
  • First Chapter – The first chapter starts at 0:00 by default and usually represents an introduction or title segment.
  • User Control – Viewers have the option to turn off automatic chapters in their settings if they prefer a traditional, uninterrupted progress bar.

Recent Updates and Features

YouTube continually updates its features, including video chapters, to enhance user experience and creator tools. Recent updates might include more refined controls, improved algorithms for automatic chapter creation, or enhanced integration with YouTube’s video analytics and SEO tools.

YouTube video chapters are a valuable feature for both creators and viewers, offering improved navigation, better organization of content, and potentially aiding in search engine optimization. They represent a significant step in enhancing the video consumption experience on the platform.

Video Chapters in Educational and Corporate Videos

In educational videos, chapters can break down lessons into digestible segments, aiding in better comprehension and retention. For corporate videos, chapters can organize presentations or training materials, making them more efficient and user-friendly.

In these contexts, video chapters facilitate a more focused and efficient learning or working experience. They allow viewers to jump directly to relevant sections, review material as needed, and manage their time more effectively.

From a production standpoint, incorporating chapters into educational and corporate videos requires careful planning. Each chapter should represent a clear, distinct segment of information, ensuring that the audience can follow along and understand the content’s structure. This approach not only improves the viewer’s experience but also reflects positively on the educational or corporate brand’s commitment to effective communication.

How to add chapters to mp4 on VdoCipher dashboard

1. Click on the edit button over any video for which you want to configure chapters.

Video chapter 1

2. Navigate to the chapters section , and click on Add chapters.

Video chapter 2

3. Configure the start time and titles for the chapters.

Video chapter 3

4. Click Save Chapters
Now on playback of the videos, the chapters will appear on the seek bar and all the configured chapters can be seen on the player by clicking on the button highlighted in the below screenshot.

Video chapter 5

FAQs

Do video chapters help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Yes, video chapters can improve SEO by making your content more searchable and allowing search engines to index different sections of your video.

Can video chapters increase viewer engagement?

Yes, video chapters can increase viewer engagement by making videos easier to navigate and allowing viewers to jump directly to the parts they are most interested in.

Are video chapters available on all video platforms?

While popular on platforms like YouTube, not all video hosting platforms support video chapters. It depends on the specific platform and its features. On Video hosting platforms like VdoCipher, one can easily add video chapters within minutes (explained in below section).

Can viewers skip chapters if they want to?

Yes, viewers have complete control to skip chapters, watch them in any order, or view the entire video without using chapters.

How do viewers interact with video chapters?

Viewers can click on chapter titles (if provided) or navigate through the video’s progress bar, where chapters are typically marked.

Do video chapters work on mobile devices?

Yes, video chapters are generally supported on both desktop and mobile versions of video platforms like YouTube.

Is there a limit to how many chapters I can have in a video?

There’s no strict limit, but each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long, and the timestamps need to be accurate for them to work properly.

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Best Video Delivery Platforms with CDN & Content Encryption Support https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/video-delivery-platforms/ Wed, 21 Sep 2022 04:39:43 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=11424 As we move towards a more digital world, many technologies emerge every day. Some emerge as single solutions providers, and others provide a combination of more than one technology. Though Video Hosting used to be a simple technology for upload and download, it has become advanced and emerged as the video delivery platform. These platforms […]

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As we move towards a more digital world, many technologies emerge every day. Some emerge as single solutions providers, and others provide a combination of more than one technology. Though Video Hosting used to be a simple technology for upload and download, it has become advanced and emerged as the video delivery platform. These platforms provide multiple technologies for faster and more secure delivery of your videos.

However, you must be very careful when choosing the video delivery platform. Always remember that the video delivery platform and content are two different things. Even if you create a high-quality video, it will not gain popularity if it is posted on a low-quality delivery platform unless it gets suggested by AI-powered recommender systems. For those recommender system models to operate properly, there has to be a proper data labeling process in place so that the model learns effectively and delivers desired outcomes.

A video delivery platform should include encoding and transcoding videos, managing and delivering video content, access management, dynamic watermarking, and providing video analytics. There is a need for video delivery platforms because there is a growing demand for online video content. Video delivery platforms make it easy to upload, share, and distribute videos online. They take care of all the highly technical and licensed integrations like DRM and make it easy to embed videos on websites and social media platforms.

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VdoCipher ensures Secure Video Hosting with Hollywood Grade DRM Encryption

VdoCipher helps ver 2000+ customers over 40+ countries to host their videos securely, helping them to boost their video revenues.

A video delivery platform is mostly required by educators, VOD platforms, and OTT providers. They use it to secure their content and also want advanced features like Video CDN, APIs, Scalable Infrastructure, and much more. For new creators, public video delivery platforms like YouTube and Twitch have served the market over the years. The users of these public video delivery platforms can rise to fame if they can post good quality content on these platforms. If you can post some interesting and entertaining videos on these platforms, you will have a good fan following within a short time.

Features to look for in a Video Delivery Platform

The provider should offer various technical integrations and analytics tools to help you determine how your videos deliver and how they are performing.

  • Multi-DRM enabled Secure video hosting to prevent illegal downloads and screen capture.
  • Adaptive bitrate streaming to deliver different sizes of content, such as for different bandwidth, SD, and HD content.
  • Offer analytics reports so that you can measure your video’s impact
  • Ability to personalize video delivery for each viewer through access management
  • Video player customization
  • The service should provide information about the number of views, the delivery method, and the date and time of the viewing.
  • Provide various player types, such as flash or HTML5, depending on your content.
  • Ability to embed videos on websites and social media platforms.
  • Support all the devices your audience is using, including mobile phones.
  • Way to make your videos available in multiple languages with subtitle support
  • APIs and SDKs for advanced usage
  • Plugins for CMS like WordPress and LMS like Moodle

Technology behind a Video Delivery Platform

As discussed earlier, a video delivery platform provides a set of combined technology as features. These features are apart from basic video hosting technology having only the feature to download and upload a video file. The major technologies whose combination is required for making up a video delivery platform are as follows.

  • Multi-DRM – Include video security via DRM encrypted video streaming technology, ensuring that no downloader or plugin can grab your content illegally. DRM is the highest security from video piracy, and with the use of multi-DRM, it becomes foolproof. Also, the use of viewer-specific moving/static watermark with email, user id, IP, and time stamp prevents camera recordings.
  • Large Cloud Infrastructure – AWS/Google powered server for transcoding, encoding, distribution via CDN, and storage are the minimum required infrastructure to ensure a smooth playback across 6 continents. This also includes feasibility to upload from desktop, dropbox, drive, FTP, and other URL-based grabbing.
  • Analytics and Dashboard – This is majorly a backend and frontend reflecting key insights about your video with integration support and other manuals. Collecting the key insights in the form of a log and reflecting the same to present valuable results are required to analyze. You can use the analysis to figure out and fill gaps in your video content.
    Support and Integrations – Any corporate or premium customer expects good support from a delivery platform. Support is majorly a human-driven aspect coupled with advanced communication channels. On the other hand, Integrations are totally technology made for easy compatibility with your CMS or LMS or Website. They include plugins, APIs, SDKs, embed codes, etc.

Benefits of Video Delivery platforms

Well, there are many benefits of using a Video Delivery Platform but mostly they are case-specific. One of the main benefits is that it can help to improve the quality and consistency of your video content. It can also help to improve the viewer experience, as well as make it easier to manage and distribute your videos. Additionally, a video delivery platform can help to optimize your videos for playback on different devices and platforms. We have listed the following important benefits that you must look for.

Security

A secure video delivery platform that ensures your video content is delivered with integrity and security. It means that your video content will not be corrupt during transfer and streamed to authorized viewers only. A secure video delivery platform like VdoCipher helps to protect your brand and your viewers’ privacy. By ensuring that your video content is delivered securely, you can ensure that your viewers’ information is protected. Additionally, you can protect your brand by ensuring that your videos are not shared or copied without permission.

CDN

A globally distributed Content Delivery Network for Videos. When it comes to video, a CDN can help improve the quality and the delivery of your content. A CDN can help deliver videos closer to the viewer, improving the overall quality of the viewing experience. Additionally, a global CDN can help to speed up video playback, ensuring that your viewers can watch your videos as quickly as possible. Also, choosing a reliable Video Delivery Platform like VdoCipher with AWS CDN having maximum uptime is a must.

Dynamic Watermarking

There are times when an authorized user tries to capture a video by recording it through a camera. In such cases, the only safeguard you have is a watermark containing dynamic information related to the user, like IP address. This acts as deterrence and prevents further distribution of video files because of the fear of getting caught.

Easy Integration

Integrations are necessary, and the easier they are, the more suitable it is. Keep in mind all the integrations you will have to make. They might be for a WordPress plugin, advanced automation or workflow management through API, and even SDKs for different languages. For a scalable infrastructure, easy integrations are a must and should be included in the package.

Best Video Delivery Platforms

As so many video delivery platforms are available online, you need to choose the right platform for your videos. Many video delivery platforms are free to use, but it is very important to choose the best one for yourself.

YouTube

YouTube is an online video-sharing website with over 300 hours of video uploads every minute. It is one of the most popular websites globally, especially amongst the younger generations. YouTube caters for all viewers, from the most popular channels to those who only have a few subscribers to those who upload videos to show their friends and family. You can watch videos on YouTube about any subject, so if you’re interested in any topic, chances are there will be a video about it.

YouTube is a Video Delivery Platform that allows content providers to distribute video content to YouTube viewers. It enables content providers to send videos to YouTube quickly and easily and track their performance. An aggregate of several different mechanisms, including Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), Dynamic Bitrate (DBR), and video transcoding, YouTube delivers the best experience for your viewers, based on their network conditions and device capabilities.

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Protect Your VOD & OTT Platform With VdoCipher Multi-DRM Support

VdoCipher helps several VOD and OTT Platforms to host their videos securely, helping them to boost their video revenues.

  • YouTube is a free platform. You do not have to pay to host your videos on the site.
  • Easily embed videos on your website
  • Over 6 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube every month. YouTube is growing in leaps and bounds.
  • Evergreen video insights
  • Trending hashtags
  • AdSense blocking controls
  • Bulk editing of video chapters
  • Appeal yellow monetization icons in Studio Mobile
  • Create, share, and collaborate on video playlists
  • Create your own custom YouTube URL
  • Play videos in the background on mobile devices
  • Featured Video or Playlist Autoplay
  • Video Monetization

VdoCipher – Secure Video Delivery Platform

Built for e-Learning and Media Websites & Apps, VdoCipher offers DRM Encrypted Secure Video Hosting across 40+ countries. No one can access encrypted videos without the encryption key. Videos streamed via VdoCipher have Hollywood grade DRM protection which means any downloader or internet plugin cannot grab the content. This prevents illegal or unauthorized video sharing. With Widevine DRM encryption and Apple Fairplay DRM encryption, VdoCipher uses a modified version of the existing streaming protocols to combat video piracy and minimize bandwidth usage.

VdoCipher’s Smart HTML5 Video Player supports Adaptive Multi-bitrate Playback. When you upload your videos on the VdoCipher platform, different bitrate qualities of your videos are created through video transcoding. This allows a video to stream at different resolutions and download speeds, depending on the Internet connection. It ensures that the video will always play at the highest possible resolution smoothly and uninterrupted.

  • Secure DRM Encrypted Video Streaming to prevent illegal downloads
  • Dynamic Watermarking to prevent video piracy using screen capture
  • Customizable watermarking for movement, colour, size and transparency
  • More Secure Than RTMP streaming
  • Secure Key Exchange than HLSe
  • DRM for effective Password-Protection so restrict downloads or video-sharing outside authorized app or website
  • IP and Geo Restriction
  • Domain Whitelisting to prevent video embed to unauthorized websites
  • Secure Offline Downloads in Android
  • Customizable smart HTML5 player
  • Adaptive Multi-bitrate Playback
  • Multi-Language Subtitles
  • Video Analytics
  • Easy dashboard to upload/import videos, configure security settings, customise thumbnail, subtitle & more
  • Plugins For WordPress & Moodle
  • Easy APIs & SDKs integration to automate your workflow

IBM Cloud Video (UStream)

IBM Cloud Video is a fast, easy, and secure way to deliver and play videos — with the quality, reliability and control you expect from IBM. The service is ideal for video content providers, video service providers, digital publishers, and enterprise customers with existing video content that want low-cost, high-performance, and flexible video streaming solutions.

IBM Cloud Video delivery platform allows users to upload, share, and view videos. It offers features such as video editing, hosting, and streaming, as well as live video streaming. The platform allows live or on-demand streaming of video content over the internet. IBM Cloud delivers video content to viewers on any device or platform, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.

  • HD live broadcast with no caps on bitrate or resolution
  • Recording of broadcasts as a private video
  • Mobile compatible player with videos virtually accessible across all devices with any screen size or bandwidth.
  • Access to multiple CDNs (content delivery networks)
  • Live chat and Q&A
  • Live playlists with looping
  • Customizable channel page

Dailymotion

Dailymotion is a video-sharing social networking website. The website enables users to upload, share, view videos on the internet. It has a large collection of videos, including various formats and genres, like comedy, entertainment news, music videos, music, sports, technology, documentaries and more. It is available in 183 languages and 43 localised versions featuring local home pages and local content.

  • The massive global reach of 250 million unique viewers in 35 localized versions of the platform.
  • Personalized recommendations and content discovery
  • Premium video content
  • integrated ad platform with premium publishers and brands
  • Offline viewing
  • Picture-in-Picture Technology
  • Autoplay on scroll, autonext
  • Social sharing

Vidyard

Vidyard is a video hosting and marketing platform that helps businesses create, manage, measure, and optimize video content. Vidyard’s platform allows users to upload, share, and track their videos and measure their return on investment (ROI) for their video marketing campaigns.

Vidyard also offers a suite of tools and integrations that allow businesses to add a video to their website, landing pages, and marketing emails. With Vidyard, you can record and send videos in just a few clicks – perfect for busy sales reps trying to break into inboxes or marketers trying to make a splash.

  • Video creation up to an hour-long
  • Screen recording
  • Video playlists
  • Auto-generated 3-second GIF preview
  • video editing
  • Ad-free video hosting
  • Fast video uploads
  • Uploader widget
  • Password and SSO protection
  • Custom video calls-to-action and landing pages
  • Detailed video analytics and CRM integrations

Vimeo Livestream

Vimeo Livestream is an online service that lets anyone start their own live show and instantly share it with the world. You could be a professional broadcaster on your way to a big event, an amateur videographer capturing your weekend adventure, or a tech expert showing off your newest creation. Vimeo Livestream opens the door to all possibilities, no matter how big or small. It offers a variety of features and tools that make it easy to create and stream live videos.

  • Easily stream from any device across social media platforms or your own website
  • Privacy & Security to privatize event access
  • Monetization model with subscriptions, apps and PPV
  • White label your live player or launch branded apps.
  • All-inclusive dedicated phone support for your events
  • Live Streaming for OTT
  • Adaptive streaming
  • Video management
  • Viewer engagement with moderated chat, Q&A, and live polls

FAQs

What are the different types of video delivery platforms?

There are several types of video delivery platforms:

Web-based platforms: These platforms allow you to stream video content to websites.

Mobile platforms: These platforms allow you to stream video content to mobile devices.

Connected TV platforms: These platforms allow you to stream video content to connected TVs.

What is a content delivery network (CDN)?

A content delivery network (CDN) is a distributed network of servers that deliver web content to users, such as HTML pages, images, and videos. When a user requests content from a website, the CDN retrieves the content from a server near the user, providing a faster and more reliable experience.

Why Do You Need a Video Delivery Platform?

By using the Video Delivery Platform, you will be able to optimize your videos, upload them on multiple platforms, and utilize advanced online marketing techniques.

The post Best Video Delivery Platforms with CDN & Content Encryption Support appeared first on VdoCipher Blog.

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How to Create Video Hosting Website like YouTube as Streaming Platform https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/2022/06/create-video-hosting-website-like-youtube/ Fri, 03 Jun 2022 11:07:16 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=11448 According to Statista, there were 4.95 million worldwide internet users as of January 2022. This accounts for nearly two-thirds of the global population connected to the internet. With such a fast-growing online user base, more and more websites are coming up each day. The count today stands at more than 1.8 billion global websites. Amid […]

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According to Statista, there were 4.95 million worldwide internet users as of January 2022. This accounts for nearly two-thirds of the global population connected to the internet. With such a fast-growing online user base, more and more websites are coming up each day. The count today stands at more than 1.8 billion global websites. Amid such a competitive market, your site must stand out in the crowd and attract search engines to direct traffic to your website. It involves using the latest technologies on your website to have a creative path for the visitor to understand your product or service. Designing and maintaining a website today requires creative as well as technical skills. It includes UI designing, graphic designing, smart coding and search engine optimization.

Domain

The domain name is the address of your website on the internet. It is how people will find your website. Just like YouTube, You need to choose a domain name that is easy to remember and spell.

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VdoCipher ensures Secure Video Hosting with Hollywood Grade DRM Encryption

VdoCipher helps ver 2000+ customers over 40+ countries to host their videos securely, helping them to boost their video revenues.

There are a few steps you need to follow in order to create a domain for your website:

  • Choose a domain name that represents your brand or website. It ideally should be short and easy to remember.
  • Check for availability and register your domain name with a reputable domain name registrar.
  • Configure your DNS settings to point your domain name to your web hosting account.
  • Upload sample html files to your web hosting home directory for testing.
  • Test your website to make sure it is accessible from your domain name.

Video Hosting

There are a number of video hosting platforms available on the internet, each with their own unique set of features. A video hosting service allows users to upload, view, and share videos. These videos can be either public or private. Public videos can be viewed by anyone, while private videos can only be viewed by users who have been invited by the video owner. Such restrictions get placed through encryption and access management via licensing authority. We have only included options that are highly scalable and also with DRM Encryption features like VdoCipher to prevent video piracy.

Best Hosting for Video Website

Best Option of Video Hosting for those looking for a YouTube-like experience is AWS. This video hosting platform offers a variety of technical features and options for both creators and viewers, and is a great option for those who want to share their videos with a large audience.

Another best option if you’re looking for a video hosting platform that is specifically designed for businesses, then you may want to check out Google Cloud Storage. It must be noted that AWS and GCS do not provide DRM encryption with storage and it must be separately implemented via platforms like VdoCipher.

VdoCipher – Secure Video Hosting

VdoCipher is a popular secure video hosting platform that offers high quality video playback and a variety of features for creators and viewers alike. One of the great things about VdoCipher is that it offers DRM encrypted Video Streaming. It also provides a trial account and usage calculator, so you can choose the level of service that best suits your needs.

VdoCipher video hosting offers a great video streaming experience to your users while ensuring that your videos are well protected. The videos hosted on VdoCipher are encrypted using the most secure Google Widevine and Apple Fairplay DRM Encryption and the video player offers seamless playback on any device.

Apart from the security features, they have Dynamic Watermarking with logo/image/viewer details, AWS powered server and CDN infrastructure with adaptive bitrate playback and multi-language subtitles support. They have also included OTP-based playback, Easy to integrate APIs, SDKs and plugins for WordPress, Moodle, etc.

Key Features to have for Video Hosting

When it comes to video hosting for large websites like YouTube, there are a few key features that are absolutely essential. Here are some of the must-have video hosting features for large websites like YouTube:

  • Video Security – If you want your videos to be protected from piracy, then your video hosting solution must have encrypted streaming preferably via DRM. This means ensuring that your videos are properly encrypted and have dynamic keys for access moderation.
  • Scalability – The ability to scale up your video hosting solution as your website grows is essential. You don’t want to be stuck with a video hosting solution that can’t handle the traffic and demand of your website.
  • Reliability – Your video hosting solution must be reliable. Your website’s visitors won’t tolerate videos that constantly buffer or freeze. Make sure your video hosting solution can handle a large number of concurrent connections and has a robust infrastructure.
  • Video Analytics – Having detailed video analytics is important for understanding your website’s visitors and their viewing habits. With video analytics, you can track things like the average viewing time, completion rate, and which videos are being watched the most.
  • Flexibility – Your video hosting solution should be flexible enough to accommodate different types of videos. For example, you should be able to host both live and on-demand videos.
  • Customer Support – If you run into any problems with your video hosting solution, you’ll want to be able to reach customer support easily. Make sure the video hosting provider you choose offers 24/7 customer support.

Backend and Website Technology

Backend is like a backbone of your website. It is server-side and is the section that users don’t see. Backend-end development is the process of building and maintaining the technology needed to deliver content, services, and applications over the internet. Any site or application you use that delivers content, services, or applications is built on a backend.

The backend consists of three parts: a server, an application, and a database. A backend developer builds and maintains the technology needed to power the components which enable the user-facing side of the website to exist.

Popular Language/Technologies

Here are some popular backend technologies with a capacity to scale.

PHP – It is a programming language that is used for server-side web development. PHP is a widely used, free, and efficient alternative to competitors such as Microsoft’s ASP. It is mainly focused on server-side scripting, so you can do anything any other CGI program can do, such as collect form data, generate dynamic page content, or send and receive cookies. But PHP can do much more.

Python – Python is a versatile language for backend development, allowing developers to build a range of applications and services. Python is known for its ease of use and readability, making it a great choice for beginners. One of the key advantages of Python for backend development is its wide range of web development libraries like Django and Flask. Python libraries can help you with everything from parsing data to building complex applications. Another advantage of Python is its scalability. Python applications can be deployed on a range of hardware and scaled up or down as needed. This makes Python a good choice for developing large-scale applications.

Node.js – It is a popular backend technology that enables developers to create scalable, high-performance applications. It is built on top of the JavaScript V8 engine, which makes it extremely fast. Node.js also has a large and vibrant community, which makes it easy to find support and resources.

Golang (Go) – Golang is an excellent choice for a backend project like YouTube. It is fast, efficient, and has excellent support for concurrency. Additionally, the Golang standard library includes a rich set of libraries for working with video and audio files, making it an ideal choice for a video streaming website. Django and Golang are both getting used by YouTube currently.

Other Server-side setup & Database

To manage the content, users and their data, a website like YouTube needs a vast database. The chosen database stores the content of a website in a structured format for CRUD operation or to retrieve, organize, edit and save data. Additionally the backend runs on a remote computer known as Server. Some popular web servers used for backend development are Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, and Microsoft IIS. Some popular databases used are MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.

Frontend

The frontend of a website is the part of the site that visitors see and interact with. It allows users to interact with the website and play videos, highlight text and much more. This includes the design, layout, and content of the site, UI elements like the navigation bar. In this stage, you can already use the best Figma mockup plugin to try out various designs, do A/B testings, and come up with the best visual possible. The main difference between the front end and the back end is the programming language. Front end developers primarily use HTML, CSS, JavaScript while backend developers use PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, Golang (Go) and .Net. Secondly, the front end is the user interface while the back end is the server, application, and database that store or process data.

The frontend for a website like YouTube is important for creating an appealing and user-friendly interface. It includes everything from building a basic HTML text page to responsive HTML5 websites designed for access via various devices and screen size. Front End Developers use HTML, CSS, Javascript, and their relevant frameworks to develop the website smoothly. It basically concerns the UI and user experience of the end user. The best possible frontend features include accessibility, simplicity, proper UI and clarity.

The front end of a video website like YouTube must include a search bar, video player, and related videos section. The search bar allows users to search for specific videos whereas the video player allows users to watch videos. The related videos section provides users with a list of videos that are related to the video they are currently watching.

If you are using CMS like WordPress or Joomla, you can also use pre-built front-end templates that look like YouTube. Otherwise a front-end developer can create the YouTube-like design using HTML, CSS and Javascript.

Search, Categorization & Filters

Video hosting websites typically have a search function that allows users to find videos based on keywords. The search functionality on a website is important because it allows users to quickly and easily find the information they are looking for. A good search can make a website more user-friendly and can help to increase traffic. This is important because it allows users to find the content they are looking for quickly and easily.

  • There should be a search bar on the website where users can type in the keywords and the website will show the results that are relevant to the keywords.
  • The search should be placed in a location that is easy to find and use. A good rule of thumb is to place the search near the top of the page.
  • Categorization on a website helps to organize the website’s content and make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Categories can also be used to highlight certain types of content, making it more visible to visitors.
  • In addition, search engines use the categories to index and rank the website, so it is important to have well-organized category pages to ensure that the website is properly indexed and ranked by search engines.

There are many reasons why it is important to add filters to a website. Filters can help improve the user experience by allowing users to find what they are looking for more easily. They can also help to improve the quality of the content on the site by allowing users to filter out content that is not relevant to them. Creating sections like latest and trending are part of providing a filter on the basis of timestamp and views. Additionally, filters can help to protect the site from spam and other malicious content.

Social Sharing

A social sharing icon on a website is a small icon that allows visitors to share content from the website on social media platforms. The social sharing option is one of the most important features of a video website like YouTube.The social sharing option on a website allows visitors to share content with their social networks. It allows users to share videos with their friends and followers on social media platforms. This can increase traffic to the website, as well as create word-of-mouth marketing for the site This, in turn, helps to increase the visibility of the video and also helps to promote the website.

Every website has different needs and preferences for its social sharing options. However, some tips on how to choose social sharing options for a website include considering which social media platforms are most popular with the website’s target audience and providing share buttons for those platforms. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the share buttons are prominently displayed and easy to use.

Social buttons have the potential to increase your website reach but can also impact the website load speed, thus making it less user-friendly and less sustainable as well. Developers should explore the possibilities to minimize the impact of social buttons on the website’s performance.

Some factors to consider while designing social sharing options on a website include:

  • Size and placement of the social sharing buttons
  • Number of social networks to include
  • Whether to include a share count
  • The design of the social sharing buttons
  • The functionality of the social sharing buttons

Comments and Review Sections

Comments are important in websites like YouTube because they provide a way for viewers to interact with the content and the creators. They can help to improve the quality of the content by providing feedback and suggestions. They can also help to build relationships between viewers and creators.

Explore More ✅

Protect Your VOD & OTT Platform With VdoCipher Multi-DRM Support

VdoCipher helps several VOD and OTT Platforms to host their videos securely, helping them to boost their video revenues.

Most video hosting websites allow users to leave comments on videos. Comments can be either positive or negative. Positive comments can help to promote a video, while negative comments can discourage others from watching it.

Comments are also a vital part of any website that relies on user-generated content, like YouTube. They provide a way for users to interact with each other and the site itself, and they can offer valuable feedback and insights.

Without comments, YouTube would be a far less engaging and informative experience. They help to create a sense of community, and they can also be a great source of information and amusement. So if you’re not commenting on YouTube videos, you’re missing out!

It is advisable to allow comments only after authentication or login as this prevents spam and helps you increase your user database.

Login/Signup

Login/Signup on the website allows users to create a profile and log in to the website. This allows them to access their account information, create and manage their account, and view their account history. The best way to build a login/signup system on a website will vary depending on the specific needs of the website. However, some tips on how to build a login/signup system on a website include using a secure server for storing user information, using strong password requirements, and providing a way for users to recover their passwords if they forget them.

Signing in and logging on to a website is the first interaction users make with your site and business. The user onboarding experience is as important as other features. It is essential to make this beginning step easy for the user by designing usable sign-up and login forms. UX designers often consider this a simple step and ignore the minute detailing. Ignoring small features can hamper the overall experience of your website. Below are the features to consider while designing the onboarding page of your website.

  • Allowing users to create an account
  • one-click registration via social media accounts
  • instant input validation
  • Verifying user identity and account activation
  • log in to an existing account
  • Granting access to account features
  • Collecting user information
  • forgot password functionality, and log out
  • Indicate clearly why the password is invalid
  • Make login easier by providing remember me option
  • Easy to remember security questions

There are many different ways that a login/signup page can be laid out, but a common layout includes input fields for a username and password, with a button to submit the login/signup information. There may also be links to other pages on the website, such as a forgot password page or a terms and conditions page. The following points are important while designing the login/signup page of your website.

  • Should be visually appealing and match the overall theme of the website.
  • Easy to use and have a clear and concise layout.
  • Responsive and should work well on all devices
  • Highly secured with a robust security system

Launching Websites like YouTube

Launching a website can be pretty challenging and stressful. Once your website is ready to go live, there are many minor to significant issues that you may have forgotten to address. It can be the wrong text, broken links or improper site redirects. Here are a few points you need to evaluate before the website launch.

Good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) implementation

SEO is important in website designing because it helps improve the visibility of a website on search engine results pages (SERPs). This can lead to more website visitors and potential customers. Good SEO affects the usability of a website, making it easier for users to find the information they need. Here are the SEO elements to check before launch:

  • Proper keyword research to identify the most relevant keywords for your content
  • Clear title tags for brief, accurate descriptions of the page’s content. They should encourage the visitor to click.
  • A meta description is an attribute within your meta tags describing your page. It should be preferably 160 characters or less. Google and other search engines often show the meta description as a summary of the page. It should be clear, SEO optimized and describe what the visitors will see on that page.
  • Internal linking is important for a website as it helps to improve the site’s overall link popularity and search engine ranking. Additionally, internal linking may increase the traffic flow to a website by providing links to popular or related content.
  • There shouldn’t be multiple H1 tags on the page.
  • There should not be thin content on a website. The content should be high-quality, unique, relevant and solve the user’s queries.
  • Have an XML Sitemap to ease crawling of your website by search engines.
  • A proper mix of anchor text pointing to your website. 20% branded anchors, 20% exact match, 20% topical match, and probably 20% naked URLs.
  • All canonicalization issues must be fixed.
  • Use compressed images to reduce page load time. Images must be optimized with keyword phrases in the file name and alt text.
  • Videos on the website should not Miss Schema Markup. Add transcripts for videos on the page.
  • The site load time must be ideally less than a second. Google recommends 2-3 seconds page load time.

Connect to Google Analytics or similar

Once your video website is launched, you need to monitor and analyze traffic to your website. Google analytics gives enormous information about how users interact with your site. Google Analytics 4 offers a new user interface and machine learning for improved data accuracy.

The following data is given by Google Analytics for your website:

  • Where your visitors are coming from (location, age, gender, interest and more)
  • How visitors found your website (traffic source)
  • Keywords people are searching for to reach your webpage. It is an important consideration for SEO
  • Average session duration
  • Pageviews and bounce rate

Important Points

  • Some video hosting websites also allow users to create and share video channels. Channels are collections of videos that are organized around a certain topic or theme. For example, a channel could be created for funny cat videos, or for cooking recipes.
  • Some video hosting websites also have a rating system, where users can rate videos on a scale of one to five stars. This can be helpful in determining whether or not a video is worth watching.
  • Check whether your website is crawlable. Using third-party tools, crawl your website and look for any errors on Google Search Console. You can also check whether your page is mobile-friendly on the Online Google Mobile Friendly Checker tool.
  • All pages must display the correct status and show what that status is. This avoids crawling and indexing conflicts.
  • A Content Delivery Network (CDN) can make the site speed faster.

FAQs

What are some common features of a video website?

A video website typically has a home page with featured videos, a video gallery, a search function, and categories for different types of videos.

How can I make my video website stand out from the rest?

You can do a few things to make your video website stand out. First, consider having a unique and interesting design. Second, make sure your site is easy to navigate and has a user-friendly interface. Finally, offer unique and high-quality content to keep viewers coming back for more.

What are some common mistakes developers make when designing a video website?

When designing a video website, some common mistakes include using too much text, confusing navigation systems, and not having good quality video content.

What are some things to keep in mind when implementing social sharing on a website?

It is important to consider which social platforms your audience is most active on. Additionally, make sure that your sharing buttons are placed in a prominent and easily accessible location on your site. Finally, your shared content must be of high quality and engaging to encourage social users to share it.

How can I make sure my website’s search feature is effective?

You can do a few things to make sure your website’s search feature is effective. First, make sure the search box is easily visible on your site. Second, make sure the search box is easily accessible from anywhere on the site. Third, use simple and clear language in the search box. Finally, test your search feature regularly to ensure it is working correctly.

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What is Video Bandwidth ? 720p, 1080p, GB Transfer Explained https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/video-bandwidth-explanation Thu, 19 Aug 2021 18:01:44 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=8726 Internet capacity is robust, but now that we’re all working from home, there has been a massive increase in global internet consumption beyond its usual spike. In 2020, The European Union called on streaming services like YouTube and Netflix to scale back their offering to prevent broadband networks from crashing. This means offering videos in […]

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Internet capacity is robust, but now that we’re all working from home, there has been a massive increase in global internet consumption beyond its usual spike. In 2020, The European Union called on streaming services like YouTube and Netflix to scale back their offering to prevent broadband networks from crashing. This means offering videos in SD rather than HD to reduce global bandwidth consumption. Videos are by far the biggest consumer of bandwidth and as per the CISCO report, streaming three hours of video content generates more Internet traffic than whole household consumption. This is how important video bandwidth is.

Note: There is a difference between how video bandwidth consumption is represented in cloud-based architecture pricing and majorly followed generic Internet terminology. In this piece, we will focus on actual Bandwidth supported by generic Internet terminology and discuss the video-hosting bandwidth calculations in the last.

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In 2017, videos accounted for two-thirds of global consumer internet traffic and continuing since then. The effect of videos on bandwidth is more pronounced because of Ultra-High-Definition (UHD), or 4K, video streaming. The bit rate for a 4K video is about 15 to 18 Mbps, more than double the HD video bitrate and nine times more than the SD video bit rate.

What is Video Bandwidth & its composition

In the context of video streaming, the amount of information or data per unit of time that a transmission medium like an internet connection can handle is Video Bandwidth. In simple words, Bandwidth is the maximum data-carrying capacity of a transmission medium and measured in bits per second(bps), Megabits per second(Mbps) or Gigabits per second(Gbps). So, for example, if the bandwidth is 50 Mbps, a maximum of 50 Mb data can be transferred per second on the channel.

High bandwidth capabilities mean you will be able to achieve higher data transfer speed, download and upload files faster and stream HD content. In addition, having a higher bandwidth has several advantages like allowing more simultaneous visitors to your website, faster application performance and support for multiple concurrent sessions.

Bandwidth capabilities largely depend on the plans and provider you have and how you access the Internet. Also, video bandwidth requirement varies with the type of activity undertaken. For example, uploading small text files and sending emails requires low bandwidth, while streaming HD video needs a bit more to run smoothly. Nevertheless, certain metrics are essential in understanding the importance of video bandwidth.

Important Metrics related to Bandwidth

Bitrate – It is the amount of data transmitted over a network during a given period of time. If the bandwidth is 50 Mbps, but the bitrate is 20 Mbps, a maximum of 50 Mb data can be transferred, but the channel is transmitting only 20 Mb per second. Bitrate corresponds to the video quality and file size. Streaming at higher bitrates yields higher quality streams but at the same time consumes a large chunk of bandwidth.

Frame Rate – The frequency at which consecutive images are projected to give the illusion of motion in a video. High-speed streaming, especially sports, require shooting video at a higher frame rate. Video bandwidth and frame are directly related. The higher the frame rate, the more bandwidth consumption.

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Video Resolution – Video resolution is the measurement of a video’s width by height in pixels. The more pixels, the higher the video quality. High-resolution videos have large file sizes, which means they require more bandwidth.

Compression – Uncompressed videos take up a lot of space. An uncompressed HD video footage nearly takes up 10 GB of space per minute of video and maybe varied with the frame rate. Video compression converts large raw video streams into smaller video files to reduce the size of the file. As a result, compressed videos require lower transmission bandwidth.

Video Bandwidth Vs Internet Speed

It’s very easy to get confused between Internet speed and bandwidth. The internet speed number, say, 5 Mbps your Internet Service Provider (ISP) gives, is not always related to how fast your Internet works. Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be download or uploaded from your computer, while Internet speed is how fast that data can be uploaded or downloaded. Many ISP’s allow different bandwidth limits for uploading and downloading. Usually, the upload bandwidth is lower than the download bandwidth.

There are often situations when your internet connection works too slow, even when you have higher bandwidth. Your internet speed could be less than or even match the bandwidth based on various factors. For instance, you have 30 Mbps broadband, but due to the incapacity of the router or copper lines, you usually get 20 Mbps. In addition, factors like infrastructure capacity, the number of subscribers connected to the ISP, router, crappy DNS servers can slow down the ultimate throughput of the connection at your end.

Bandwidth Vs Latency

Latency is often referred to as ping rate or delays or buffering. Latency measures the amount of time between the moment a data packet is sent and the moment it gets received and processed. On the other hand, Bandwidth is the amount of information transmitted per second. Higher bandwidth connections have increased download speed, and hence latency becomes much more noticeable. For example, a file may only take 5 milliseconds to download, but latency may cause the user to wait for nearly 100 milliseconds to receive the first byte of the data from the download request. Bandwidth is a significant factor in both video and audio streaming. If the bandwidth remains low, driving down latency may not deliver improved performance. On the other hand, if the network suffers from high latency connections, no bandwidth will help in data transfer.

Bandwidth Vs Throughput

Throughput measures how much information or data actually gets delivered in a certain amount of time, taking latency, packet loss, jitter, network speed and other factors into account. So, bandwidth is the maximum data transfer capacity of a network, and throughput is how much data makes it to its destination successfully. To have high-performance of the network, data packets must reach their destination successfully. Otherwise, there will be service delays even with a substantial amount of bandwidth available.

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How much bandwidth does streaming use?

Streaming, gaming and other online activities on multiple devices simultaneously require more bandwidth to keep up. Therefore, the more bandwidth your internet provider delivers, the faster is the online experience. The FCC provides Mbps requirements based on digital activities, and the below table includes recommended bandwidth requirements for watching videos, video conferencing, gaming, and more.

Activity Minimum Download Speed (Mbps)
Watching Video
Streaming Standard Definition Video 3 – 4
Streaming High Definition (HD) Video 5 – 8
Streaming Ultra HD 4K Video 25
Video Conferencing
Standard Personal Video Call (e.g., Skype) 1
HD Personal Video Call (e.g., Skype) 1.5
HD Video Teleconferencing 6
Gaming
Game Console Connecting to the Internet 3
Online Multiplayer 4

Minimum Bandwidth required for HD, FHD (Full HD) and UHD (Ultra HD) video streaming

Resolutions Required Bandwidth Required Bandwidth
H264 H265
1280×720(HD) – 720p  3Mbps 1.5Mbps
1920X1080(FHD) – 1080p  6Mbps 3Mbps
3840×2160 (UHD) – 2160p/4K  25Mbps 12Mbps

 

Data Usage required for HD (720p), FHD (1080p) and UHD (2160p) video streaming

The data usage required for HD, FHD (Full HD), and UHD (Ultra HD) video content streaming depends on various factors. It includes codec (e.g., H.264, H.265, VP9), bitrate, frame rate, and compression efficiency. However, the below figures are often cited for video streaming services.

Resolutions Typical Bitrate Range
Data Usage at an average bitrate
1280×720(HD) – 720p  2 Mbps to 4 Mbps
1.35 GB/hr @ 3 Mbps
1920X1080(FHD) – 1080p 4 Mbps to 8 Mbps
2.25 GB/hr @ 5 Mbps
3840×2160 (UHD) – 2160p/4K  15 Mbps to 68 Mbps
11.25 GB/hr @ 25 Mbps

Note: The above figures can vary. For example, H.265 (HEVC) is more efficient than H.264. It can deliver similar video quality at about half the bitrate. Moreover, the actual bitrate can change dynamically based on your network conditions if you use adaptive bitrate streaming.

1080p Streaming required Bandwidth & Internet Speed

1080p streaming videos are at a display resolution of 1920X1080, and it offers full HD video content on the Internet. These videos have more clarity and resolution than an HD video at 720p. Also, 1080p video consumes more amounts of data compared to SD and HD streaming. As stated in the above table and with the H264 codec, the recommended bandwidth is 6 Mbps, and with the H265 codec, it usually requires up to 3 Mbps.

4K and 8K Streaming Bandwidth requirement / Internet Speed

4K videos with a display resolution of 4096p x 2160p offer the most life-like video content on the Internet. These high definition videos have more visual information than ever about the texture, colour, shapes than an HD video. Unfortunately, 4k consumes enormous amounts of data compared to SD, HD & FHD streaming. With the H264 codec, the recommended bandwidth is 32 Mbps, and with the H265 codec, it could be up to 15 Mbps. To stream 4K HDR content, one needs a 4K UHD TV with HEVC decoder and HDR support. You can read more about SD vs HD in this blog.

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Even with an 8K streaming service, most people wouldn’t be able to use it. Platforms like Netflix specifies a 25 Mbps stream for 4K content. This requirement seems to quadruple as there is no H.266 standard alongside 8K to reduce the file size. Netflix consumes 3.1GB/hour at 1080p for 60fps video and even 7GB/hour at 4K. If we assume that the transition from 4K to 8K consumes an equivalent amount of bandwidth to 1080p – 4K transition, the per hour bandwidth requirement to stream 8K content would be nearly 6.44GB – 19.2GB/hour for 23.976fps content. This is still a high bandwidth rate to burn out.

Netflix & YouTube Video Bandwidth requirements

The bandwidth required to stream Netflix depends on the video quality. The recommended download bandwidth for movies and TV shows on Netflix is 1.5 Mbps, 0.5 Mbps being the minimum threshold. 0.5 Mbps is just enough to start a video stream, but anything below 1.5 Mbps leads to poor video quality. As recommended by Netflix, Standard definition (SD) requires 3 Mbps, High definition (HD) 5 Mbps and 4K/Ultra HD at least 25 Mbps. You can set video quality settings to ‘Medium’ or ‘Low’ to manage Netflix bandwidth usage to use less data while streaming. According to real-world tests, in terms of per hour watching, Netflix’s actual bandwidth requirement at 1080p with 23.976fps video ranges from 1.9GB – 2.55GB and 3.5GB – 7GB for 4K.

While watching YouTube videos on smartphones, smart TV or laptop, the bandwidth requirement remains the same. The below table shows the approximate bandwidth required to play each video format without buffering or jitters.

Video Resolution Recommended Bandwidth
4K 20 Mbps
HD 1080p 5 Mbps
HD 720p 2.5 Mbps
SD 480p 1.1 Mbps
SD 360p 0.7 Mbps

Ideal Internet speed & Bandwidth required for Live Streaming

The recommended internet speed for a 480p live streaming should be at least 3 Mbps. The minimum download bandwidth varies between streaming services. A higher bandwidth may be needed when multiple devices connect to the Internet at the same time. For example, to live stream 720p or 1080p, you will need at least 5 Mbps bandwidth. For seamless 4K streaming, the minimum limit is around 25 Mbps.

Recommended bandwidth for Gaming and Online usage

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), gaming consoles connected to the Internet require a bandwidth of 3 Mbps. At the same time, online multiplayer games, like Call of Duty, need a bandwidth of 4 Mbps. However, as online games are evolving rapidly, FCC looks a little behind the times. Although the best gaming sessions, on average, require 3 Mbps of bandwidth speed, this varies with the number of players involved in each session. Gaming on a PC or MAC involves a minimum of 3 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps to upload. The Xbox Series X quotes 10 Mbps as the preferred bandwidth.

Calculation of Video Bandwidth & pricing via Video Hosting Provider

Video Hosting providers take the bandwidth consumption on a data usage basis. E..g  If a 1 GB video is played 10 times a day, then bandwidth consumed would be 1*10 = 10 GB.

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At Vdocipher, different plans have different bandwidth options and the pricing for bandwidth can vary from $0.08/GB to $0.20/GB based on exact plan purchased. You can browse for more bandwidth plans on our pricing page and choose the plan as per your requirements. Also, if you are looking for an enterprise solution with bulk purchase, the bandwidth pricing can be further reduced.

FAQs:

How bitrate affects video quality?

A higher bitrate means a larger amount of video data bits uploaded per second. High bitrate increases video quality and file size. Conversely, lower bitrate results in smaller file size, low video quality and fast export time.

How to reduce bandwidth usage?

Malware scanning, use hosted filtering, limit VoIP use, identify bandwidth hogs, using proxy cache are some of the ways to limit bandwidth usage.

Does Netflix consume more bandwidth than YouTube?

Netflix uses around 1GB of data per hour for SD, up to 3GB for HD and about 7GB for 4K Ultra HD video. YouTube bandwidth usage is less compared to Netflix. A 480p SD video on average consumes 563MB of data per hour.

What are the ways to reduce latency?

Latency can be reduced by using a wired connection, network reboot, firewalls disabled. Check for faulty hardware and close unnecessary bandwidth-consuming applications.

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Video Aspect Ratio Explained with Best YouTube, Instagram dimensions https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/video-aspect-ratio/ Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:50:07 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=8126 In the year 1997, my friend’s father bought their first television set with a wider screen. When I watched an old Charlie Chaplin movie on the new television, I noticed a black band on each side of the screened video. Now, we called the technician assuming it to be a technical glitch. When the technician […]

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In the year 1997, my friend’s father bought their first television set with a wider screen. When I watched an old Charlie Chaplin movie on the new television, I noticed a black band on each side of the screened video. Now, we called the technician assuming it to be a technical glitch. When the technician saw that, he was the first who brought the term “Video Aspect Ratio” to my knowledge. That television set was intelligent enough to place the black bands on each side of the video so as to avoid any distortion of the video.

What is Video Aspect Ratio?

The video aspect ratio is the relation between the width of the video and its height. Therefore, we write the video aspect ratio as follows: width: height. When the width is larger, we are dealing with a horizontal video. Whereas if the height is larger, we would be dealing with a vertical video.

The device used to shot the Charlie Chapline movie supported a display aspect ratio of 4:3. So that, when played on my friend’s new television set, having an aspect ratio of 16:9, would have distorted the video unless the device itself introduced the black borders on each side.

This brings us to a significant point: The term video aspect ratio is relevant to the screen that displays the video and the device used to shoot the video. Therefore, the aspect ratio used while shooting the video and while displaying it on the screen should be the same so that the video encompasses the whole display screen and does not distort the video.

What is the relation between Aspect Ratio and Resolution?

The video quality not only depends on the aspect ratio but also on the resolution. To make it easier to understand, we can separate the resolution into two categories.

One is your video resolution which depends on the device from which you shot the video. For example, we see mobile and camera devices with specifications of their camera sensor’s total number of recorded pixels or megapixels like 16MP, 48 MP, etc. The total number of recorded pixels is adjusted with an aspect ratio to achieve a convention of writing a video resolution in the form of width x height. A video shot with a high megapixel camera sensor will result in a high-resolution video. Also, we can use software applications to alter the video resolutions.

The other is one of your screen resolution or display resolution. When you go to buy a monitor or television set, you see the following terms in their specifications: SD (Standard Definition), HD (High Definition), HD Ready, Full HD, 2K, UHD ( Ultra HD)- sometimes referred to as 4K & 8K UHD.

Screen resolution is a measurement of the total number of pixels and a pixel is the smallest unit of a digital graphic. We combine large amounts of pixels to form a digital video frame. When you buy a monitor or television set, you will see that there are three important specifications – display aspect ratio, display resolution, and video signal support.

In today’s times, most of the content you see on television and online is in the aspect ratio of 16:9.

same aspect ratio in different resolution

Depicted above is a difference between watching a video on a screen having an aspect ratio of 4:3 with a display resolution of 800px X 600px and a screen having the same aspect ratio but a different resolution of 500px X 375px. The file size of the first one is larger than the second one. Also, we can see that by only changing the screen’s resolution, we could see the complete image, albeit with a little less clear image.

Example: A screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and having a resolution of 1920px X 1080px supports multiple video signals. If you divide 1920 by 1080, you arrive at 16/9. So if you have a video signal of 1080p, then the video will completely occupy the screen and will show it clearly.

This also means that a video shot with a high-resolution camera also requires a higher or similar resolution screen to give you the best output quality.

Popular display resolutions with associated Video Aspect Ratio charts

Resolution Pixel Size Aspect Ratio Known as
SD ( Standard Definition) 640 x 480 4:3 480p – Number of rows of pixels
HD ( High Definition) 1280 x 720 16:9 720p – Number of rows of pixels
Full HD 1920 x 1080 16:9 1080p- Number of rows of pixels
2K 2048 x 1152 1.78 2048p or the number pixel columns
Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 16:9 Called 4K by marketers. Here it represents the approx. columns of pixels
8K UHD 7,680×4,320 16:9 Called 8K by marketers. Here it represents the approx. columns of pixels

This means a single aspect ratio supports many resolutions.

Aspect Ratio Popular Display Resolution Ratios
21:9 3440 x 1440 and 2560 x 1080
16:9 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 1024 x 576, 960 x 540, 2560 x 1440, 3840 x 2160 and 7680 x 4320

The above set of video resolution shows that the more the number of pixels, the clearer and sharper the video. For the best quality, you need good resolution matching with your aspect ratio and also a higher video bitrate.

What is Video Bitrate?

In video streaming, video bitrate is the number of bits of data transmitted over a network (like the internet) over a certain unit of time. A high video bitrate is one of the most vital factors in the quality of a video. A good quality video consists of a high video bitrate along with a high resolution and framerate.

Relation between Bitrate and Resolution?

There is no direct correlation between bitrate and resolution but usually for movie content, the video producers and developers associate higher resolution with a higher bitrate, and a lower resolution with comparatively a lower bitrate. Both bitrate and display resolution are important for ensuring good quality video streaming as pixels define the resolution of the video, while bitrate is the average data size for a video file expressed per second of video.

Though they are different, they form two characteristics of a video file. The video is never transferred from the source to the device for playback as a raw analog file. A video codec compresses a raw video file so that we can easily stream it online.

At Vdocipher , we transcode the video for optimization at multiple bitrates so that viewers on any device and networks of any quality can conveniently view videos.

So even in places like Africa, where the internet speed is slow, users can see videos at good resolutions without buffering issues or lagging.

So video aspect ratio helps us determine the shooting equipment and the screen area for exposing the video. In addition, a better display resolution and encoding at multiple bitrates further enhance the quality of the video during online streaming.

What are the most common Video Aspect Ratios

4:3

This 4:3 aspect ratio was popular in the 1940s and 1950s with the older monitors and television sets. The width of the screen is 30% larger than the height. This is the oldest aspect ratio and even the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences adopted it. Though it has been completely phased out now, certain cinematographers use this aspect ratio to create a nostalgic effect for a certain audience.

21:9

This 21:9 aspect ratio is the newer motion picture aspect ratio. If you use your television set to watch movies and want a cinematic experience, you need a screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Also, in case you are a gaming buff, you would use a computer with this aspect ratio. Cinematic widescreen projectors also have an aspect ratio of 21:9. Computer programmers/ designers/ other power users of computers usually use multiple 21:9 aspect ratio screens to enhance their productivity. In addition, we can use the aspect ratio of 21:9 for custom screens content creation like that of planetarium and theme park screens, giving viewers a 360-degree optical illusion.

16:9

This 16:9 aspect ratio is the most popular video aspect ratio associated with widescreen viewing – the latest movies and online video platforms. Here the width of the screen is 77% larger than its height. The majority of HD TVs have this aspect ratio. Hence, videography equipment with an aspect ratio set to 16:9 is used to shot most of the video content.

different video aspect ratio

9:16

This aspect ratio of 9:16 clearly states that the video content or image is vertical. This aspect ratio is prevalent in mobile phones where the viewing area is vertical. For example, Instagram and Facebook stories have a viewing area with an aspect ratio of 9:16.

1:1

We mostly view the 1:1 aspect ratio on social media where the viewing area is square-shaped. Popular social media platforms that show video/image content in this 1:1 aspect ratio are Facebook and Instagram.

How To Change Aspect Ratio Of Video?

We have shown Image X on a screen having an aspect ratio with a larger width (16:9). Image Y is the same image displayed on a screen with an aspect ratio of height the same as that of width (1:1). Here we can see that the image is distorted as the screen tries to fit in the entire image in that screen. So now we have to crop the image to suit the aspect ratio of the new screen as per Image Z (1:1).

changing video aspect ratio explained

We can do such cropping using video editing software either online or offline. Also, most platforms/ screens do the cropping automatically. The downside is that they may crop your relevant content, and the video might not be helpful to your viewers.

If you developed your content for a narrower screen and the display is in a broader screen, then the wider display adds black bands on the sides. But this nullifies the effect that a widescreen would bring to your content.

What is the best aspect ratio for video streaming?

Most E-learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera and OTT platforms like Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Netflix, Youtube use the 16:9 aspect ratio.

The popularity of the 16:9 aspect ratio is based purely on the fact that this ratio allows the video recording in the highest possible resolution. However, opting for another aspect ratio will affect your stream with black bars around it.

The 16:9 aspect ratio creates a frame width that is 78% more than the length. This aspect ratio fits modern displays like TV’s, tablets, phones, and computer screens. Using 16:9, we can display the entire video without cropping.

It is a preferred ratio, but this may vary with the platform you are using as it may have its own set of compatible aspect ratio and recommended resolutions for uploading the content. For example, the recommended set of ratios for popular social media & video streaming platforms have been listed below.

Instagram Video Aspect Ratio

There was a time when the most common aspect ratio on Instagram was the classic 1:1. By uploading videos and posts with such ratio, companies could even embed Instagram feed into email and share their social media profile aesthetic via email too. With more and more consumption of Instagram on mobile phone, the popular video aspect ratio for mobiles are:

  • square video: 1:1
  • portrait video: 4:5
  • vertical video: 9:16
  • Instagram Feed Videos; 1:1 or 4:5
  • Instagram Stories: 9:16
  • IGTV: 9:16
  • Instagram Live: 9:16

YouTube Video Aspect Ratio and Resolution

YouTube’s standard video aspect ratio is 16:9. Irrespective of what aspect ratio you record your video in, the YouTube video player will automatically play it in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It’s recommended to record YouTube video in 16:9 aspect ratio, that means in one of the below resolutions or dimensions:

  • 3840 x 2160 px
  • 2560 x 1440 px
  • 1920 x 1080 px
  • 1280 x 720 px
  • 854 x 480 px
  • 640 x 360 px
  • 426 x 240 px

Twitter Video Aspect Ratio & Recommended Resolution

  • Recommended Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape or portrait), 1:1 (square). You can select an aspect ratio between 1:3 and 3:1
  • Recommended Video Resolution: 1280×720 (landscape), 720×1280 (portrait), 720×720 (square)

In the below table, each row represents upload recommendation by Twitter,

Orientation Width Height Video Bitrate Audio Bitrate
Landscape 1280 720 2048K 128K
Landscape 640 360 768K 64K
Landscape 320 180 256K 64K
Portrait 720 1280 2048K 128K
Portrait 360 640 768K 64K
Portrait 180 320 256K 64K
Square 720 720 2048K 128K
Square 480 480 768K 64K
Square 240 240 256K 32K

Facebook Video Aspect Ratio

Facebook recommends uploading videos that should be of at least 1280 x 720 pixels.

  • Facebook Feed Videos: 1:1 or 4:5
  • Facebook Stories: 9:16
  • Facebook Live: 16:9

Pinterest Video Aspect Ratio

Currently, video upload on Pinterest is only available for Business accounts. Video Pins appear in your home feed, following tab, and search results. Advertisers on Pinterest can also create video ads.

  • Required for standard Video: Taller than 1.91:1 and shorter than 1:2
  • Recommended for standard video: 1:1 (square) or 2:3, 4:5 or 9:16 (vertical)
  • Required for max-width video: 1:1 (square) or 16.9 (widescreen)

LinkedIn Video Aspect Ratio

LinkedIn Native Video

  • Aspect Ratio: 1:2.4 to 2.4:1
  • Resolution: 256×144 to 4096×2304 px

LinkedIn Video Ads

  • Aspect ratio: between 1.778 and 0.5652
  • Width: Between 640 and 1920 pixels
  • Height: Between 360 and 1920 pixels.

Aspect Ratio While Video Content Creation

We have covered the importance of the Video Aspect Ratio and the need to change it for different platforms, but what we do while recording the video content in the first place? This will save you a lot of trouble editing/cropping the video file. Also, we can repeat the same settings any number of times.

Setting up the aspect ratio for an image is easy as most mobile devices with a camera allow you to set that by going into your frame/camera settings, but for Video Aspect Ratio, they have a standard default of 9:16 or 16:9 (as per tilt). Even some advanced mobile camera devices in 2021 allow you to adjust the video frame rate and resolution for the video, but there are no options to adjust your video aspect ratio in the default camera app. The solution to this problem is to use an advanced camera app from your native app store, with which you can preset the aspect ratio for videos.

image showing how to change aspect ratio in DSLR camera

However, if you use a DSLR or similar camera device, you can browse through camera settings to find ‘Aspect Ratio’ and adjust it accordingly. This will ensure a pre-cropped or adjusted video setting as per your need. We must note that the availability of these settings also depends on the brand, make, and model of the device.

FAQs:

Best Video Aspect Ratio for multi-purpose use?

For multi-platform support it is recommended to use 16:9 video aspect ratio. Most popular platforms like YouTube supports this aspect ratio. Also, the popularity of the 16:9 aspect ratio is based on the fact that opting for another aspect ratio will affect your stream with black bars around it.

What is meant by an anamorphic aspect ratio?

Anamorphic (2.40:1) is similar to the 16:9 aspect ratio with the top and bottom cropped. It’s a wide widescreen often used in movies, giving a cinematic feel.

What is video letterboxing and pillarboxing?

Video clips shot in one aspect ratio need reconciliation when projected on another frame aspect ratio. For example, when a movie shot at 16:9 displays on a 4:3 standard television, the video is padded with black bands at the top and bottom. This is known as ‘letterboxing’. Less common and similar padding that happens to the left and right of the video is known as ‘pillarboxing’.

What is the difference between Full HD (FHD) and Ultra HD (UHD)?

A Full HD resolution has a width of 1920 pixels and height of 1080 pixels (2.07 megapixels resolution). On the other hand, Ultra HD content has an 3840×2160 pixels resolution (8.3 megapixels). Video shown in Ultra HD have 4 times as many pixels as Full HD. The images in UHD appear sharper.

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Business Video Alternative to Vimeo and YouTube https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/2016/08/why-not-to-host-videos-on-vimeo-youtube/ https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/2016/08/why-not-to-host-videos-on-vimeo-youtube/#respond Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:14:06 +0000 https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/?p=547 Why not to host videos on Vimeo and YouTube? Vimeo and YouTube have a free offering to help consumers and businesses host videos on either their own platform or on Vimeo/ YouTube directly. Still, many times businesses tend to choose options other than Vimeo and YouTube to better fulfill their requirements and make large revenues. […]

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Why not to host videos on Vimeo and YouTube?

Vimeo and YouTube have a free offering to help consumers and businesses host videos on either their own platform or on Vimeo/ YouTube directly. Still, many times businesses tend to choose options other than Vimeo and YouTube to better fulfill their requirements and make large revenues. Also, many mid-size video creators are looking forward to get additional features like DRM within the Vimeo pricing range.

7 Reasons to choose VdoCipher instead of YouTube or Vimeo?

  1. Secure Video Streaming

    Viewers can easily download videos from Vimeo and from YouTube,  using so many free tools, downloaders, plugins and hacks. VdoCipher encrypted video streaming ensures 100% download protection from piracy.

  2. Customers & Testimonials Ease of Video Management

    Vimeo and YouTube do not provide detailed aspects related to custom Video deletion, ID management, upload from server, FTP, URL, Dropbox or Tag-based video management. VdoCipher offers all these features through APIs and GUIs.

  3. Custom Bitrates , Custom player themes & controls

    Vdocipher unlike others allows you to set custom multiple bitrates, using a full enterprise level encoder for all devices. The Vdocipher player can be modified by developers to change controls, add call to actions, change color and fully provide the desired look and interaction.

  4. Enterprise level variety of APIs

    Sometimes, as part of your video hosting requirements you may require your customers to upload to a mid way portal and to manage streaming. Upload, embed, tagging, watermarking, security, user based authentication, licensing, lot of things need to be managed in an API workflow. VdoCipher is far ahead as Vimeo alternative or YouTube alternative in API offerings.

  5. Analytics

    Data for details of video playback, seek, pause, viewer variety, demographics, is what enterprises are looking through GUI and APIs. VdoCipher again one step ahead in fulfilling analytics requirement than its competitors.

  6. Specific solutions for education & media

    VdoCipher is inherently built for businesses. Due to vast experience of providing full packaged solutions to online education and media customers, the understanding and implementation is quick and revenue effective.

  7. Great Support

  8. Email, phone, site chat , 24*7 availability for emergency cases, is what VdoCipher strives for. Customers look to vdocipher for an awesome support and is thus far more reliable then its free competitors like vimeo & youtube. We did a comprehensive comparison of Youtube vs Vimeo vs Wistia, find out how these big platforms compare with each other.

VdoCipher empowers course creators, event organizers and broadcasters with secure video streaming, ensuring smooth playback globally.

Using Vdocipher you can build your own video platform like youtube.

Hear our customers saying few good things about us at – Customers & Testimonials

Forget YouTube, For Free full version 5 GB secure video streaming VdoCipher trial,  please register at – www.vdocipher.com

 

Vdocipher DRM structure

All these things, VdoCipher handles for you. Launch Today.

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