Format/Codecs Settings

format

API Versions: V2

Parent: outputs

Default: Determined by the output filename and then video or audio codec. Otherwise: mp4 (for standard outputs); ts (for segmented outputs).

Valid Values: 3gp, aac, ac3, ec3, flv, m4f, mj2, mkv, mp3, mp4, mxf, ogg, ts, webm, and wmv

Compatible Job Types: VOD

Example: webm

Description:

The output container format to use.

Note that some containers have multiple valid file extensions. Typically, names like "f4v", "ogv", and "m4v" are used for audio/video files, and "f4a", "m4a", and "oga" are used for audio-only files, but this is not enforced. Similarly, "f4v" and "f4a" are often used for mp4 content designed to play in Flash Video, but this is just a convention.

Compatibility:

• mp4 is compatible with h264 (default), hevc, and mpeg4 video, and aac (default), mp3, ac3, and eac3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: mp4, m4a, m4v, f4v, f4a, m4b, m4r, f4b
• m4f is compatible with h264 and hevc video and aac, ac3, and eac3 audio.
• ogg is compatible with theora video and vorbis audio. Valid values and file extensions: ogg, oga, ogv, ogx
• webm is compatible with vp8 (default) and vp9 video and vorbis audio. Valid values and file extensions: webm
• 3gp is compatible with mpeg4 (default) and h264 video, and aac (default) and mp3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: 3gp, 3gp2, 3g2, 3gpp, 3gpp2. Note that the 3gp format can also use a mp4 file extension.
• flv is compatible with vp6 (default) and h264 video, and aac (default) and mp3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: flv
• ts is compatible with h264 video and aac (default), mp3 or ac3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: ts
• mkv is compatible with h264 video and aac (default), mp3, ac3 or eac3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: mkv
• wmv is compatible with wmv video and wma (default) or mp3 audio. Valid values and file extensions: wmv, wma
• aac is compatible with aac audio and no video. Valid values and file extensions: aac
• mp3 is compatible with mp3 audio and no video. Valid values and file extensions: mp3
• ac3 is compatible with ac3 audio and no video. Valid values and file extensions: ac3
• ec3 is compatible with eac3 audio and no video. Valid values and file extensions: ec3
• mj2 is compatible with jp2 video and aac audio. Valid values and file extensions: mj2, mjp2.
• mxf is compatible with h264 video and pcm audio. Valid values and file extensions: mxf.

{
  "input": "s3://zencodertesting/test.mov",
  "outputs": [
    {
      "format": "webm"
    }
  ]
}

video_codec

API Versions: V2

Parent: outputs

Default: Determined by the format, profile, or audio_codec. h264 if none are provided.

Valid Values: h264, hevc, jp2, mpeg4, theora, vp6, vp8, vp9, and wmv

Compatible Job Types: VOD

Example: vp8

Description:

The output video codec to use. Zencoder currently supports the following codecs: h264 (default), hevc, jp2, theora, vp6, vp8, vp9, mpeg4, and wmv.

Compatibility:

• h264 is compatible with aac (default) and mp3 audio and the mp4 (default), m4f, flv, or 3gp formats
• hevc is compatible with aac (default) or mp3 audio and the mp4 or m4f formats.
• vp9 is compatible with vorbis audio and the webm format
• vp8 is compatible with vorbis audio and the webm format
• vp6 is compatible with mp3 (default) or aac audio, and the flv format
• theora is compatible with vorbis audio and the ogg format
• mpeg4 is compatible with aac (default) and mp3 audio, and the mp4 (default) or 3gp formats
• wmv is compatible with wma (default) or mp3 audio, and the wmv format
• jp2 is compatible with pcm audio and the mj2 format.

{
  "input": "s3://zencodertesting/test.mov",
  "outputs": [
    {
      "video_codec": "vp8"
    }
  ]
}

See Also: audio_codec and format

audio_codec

API Versions: V2

Parent: outputs

Default: Determined by the format, profile, or video_codec. aac if none are provided.

Valid Values: aac, ac3, amr, eac3, mp3, pcm, vorbis, and wma

Compatible Job Types: VOD

Example: mp3

Description:

The audio codec to use. The default codec depends on the video codec and format selected.

Note that MP3 audio in a MP4 container is valid alongside H.264 video content, but does not play back in Quicktime.

Compatibility:

• aac is compatible with h264 video (mp4, m4f, 3gp, or flv format), mpeg4 video (mp4 or 3gp format), and vp6 (flv format)
• vorbis is compatible vp8 video (webm format) and theora video (ogg format)
• wma is compatible with wmv video and the wmv format
• mp3 is compatible with h264 video (mp4, 3gp, or flv format) and wmv video (wmv format). mp3, h264, and mp4 will not play back in Quicktime
• pcm is compatible with h264 video and the mxf format.

{
  "input": "s3://zencodertesting/test.mov",
  "outputs": [
    {
      "audio_codec": "mp3"
    }
  ]
}

See Also: audio_codec and format