Maintaining Video Quality with Metrics

The text discusses the factors that contribute to good video quality and how it can be measured. Video quality is determined by three main components: bitrate, codec, and source quality (including resolution). Bitrate refers to the optimal encoding bitrate for any given video, while codec pertains to H.264 or other emerging technologies like VP9, H.265, and AV1. Source quality involves the original file's encoding and potential issues such as artifacts, interlacing problems, color issues, or over-exposure. Content quality is a broader concept that includes video quality, audio quality, and subtitle/closed caption quality. Audio quality is crucial to good video content, as viewers can tolerate poor visuals if the audio remains clear. Poor internet connection and conditions of actual wiring are common problems for delivering video online. Adaptive streaming technology helps provide a comparable viewing experience with less buffering by offering several different videos at varying resolutions and bitrates in parallel. Upscaling and downscaling can impact video quality, where upscaling refers to stretching a video beyond its original size, while downscaling involves compressing it into a smaller size. Mux measures the percentage of upscaling and downscaling that occurs during video playback. By understanding these metrics, content creators can optimize their video delivery pipeline for specific devices and screen resolutions to ensure high-quality video experiences.