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Transcoding

technology

Converting video files into multiple formats and resolutions for streaming.

Explanation

Transcoding is the process of converting source video files into multiple formats, resolutions, and bitrates so they play well on different devices and network speeds. Netflix transcodes each title into hundreds of versions for adaptive bitrate streaming. Common codecs used in transcoding include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and AV1.

Last updated: March 2026