Encoding is often needed to help ensure videos are viewable on a variety of devices. Often, encoding is done during live videos or after creating a video and before sharing it online or through other methods. When encoding is needed, it’s important to have the right encoder to handle the job. Use the following to help determine if hardware or software encoding is the better option.
The Price for Encoding
The price for hardware vs software encoding can vary, so for those on a budget, it is important to decide which one might be the best option. Often, hardware encoding is going to be more expensive. However, those who need to use it regularly may be willing to pay a little bit more to get the benefits that hardware encoding provides. Those who are on a budget or only need it occasionally may opt for software encoding instead.
End-Use for the Encoder
The way the encoder will typically be used can make a difference. Those who are creating simple broadcasts or who are creating user-generated content may be fine using a software encoder. Those who are creating more complex productions or doing live videos may benefit from having a hardware encoder. It is a good idea to look into the quality needed and other details based on the project to see which one might be better to use.
Space Available
Computers do have a limited amount of space, and a software decoder will take up some of that. Though there are ways to free up disk space, it’s important to consider whether it’s a good idea to install a software encoder if the space is limited. With limited space, it’s often better to use a hardware encoder, as that will sit outside the computer and won’t take up any disk space or cause the computer to run slower, which can happen when there isn’t enough free space.
Encoding Speeds and Quality
When videos are encoded, they’re also compressed to make the file size smaller. Doing this can impact the quality of the video, so it is crucial to take it into consideration when encoding any videos. Software encoders do work slower, and they may reduce the quality of the video more than hardware encoders. Those who want to make sure the encoding is done quickly or who are worried about the quality of the video may want to opt for hardware encoders instead.
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Reliability
Users will want to make sure they consider the reliability before purchasing anything. Though software encoders are less expensive, they can end up having issues or stopping in the middle of encoding, especially if the computer is slower or older. Hardware encoders may be less accessible since it’s necessary to wait for them to be delivered, but they do tend to be far more reliable and aren’t going to suffer from as much downtime compared to software encoders.
If you need to be able to encode videos, it’s important to make sure you have the right encoder available. Today, both software and hardware versions are available, and they can both be a good option depending on what you need. Use the information here to help narrow down your options and determine if hardware or software encoding is better for your project.
