This encoding library is a blog intended to help you get to grips with the different file formats out there, and find the one most appropriate for your PC or mobile device and application.

This project is not :
Absolutely rigorous - but the processes are documented and reproducible.

Broadcast quality - this may happen in the future, but I do not have the infrastructure currently. (*)

This project is:

As rigorous as I can reasonably make it.

Done to reflect the internet as it is in 2005.

I have used a single file - Lisa Williams' “4 Minutes about Podcasting” (why this file) which I have encoded in a lot of different ways. I have several aims:

* let newbies play around and compare different formats, screen sizes and bandwidth performance and their effect on quality.

* provide a way for people to try out applications with different formats

* provide a resource for testers and developers to use a common file.

I'm working with a range of standard formats: I'm working in the normal range of formats, and also posting MP3 audio files while I'm at it.

* Real Media

* Quicktime

* Windows Media Player

* Flash Movie

* MPEG2

The approach is to post a set of versions of the same file at the same screen size at roughly the same bit rate, roughly corresponding to different categories of device. Absolute rigour is impossible, as I'm using different applications, but I can get closer than you might expect

I'd be grateful for any comments on the resource, especially if you spot any problems or have any indications of the technical information I could usefully supply about how the files were generated.

Before you use the library Read the Conditions of Use