The Ecncoding.com team is excited to announce our new Dynamic Text Overlay feature as the latest addition to our suite of automated editing features.  We believe that this new feature will be a catalyst to power an important new trend in producing high volume, personalized video experiences based on stored user data.   

Dynamic Text Overlay enables publishers to programmatically (via an API workflow) integrate custom text into different queue points and frame positions within a source video. Utilizing granular controls such as live fonts, colors, rotations, positions, size, start and duration points, the custom text appears to be integrated directly within the video.  

To give this feature a proper test run, we partnered with Google to power a high volume custom workflow to promote Google Hangouts presented by Wallace and Gromit. The custom Google Hangouts invitation process was open to the public and promoted globally on the google.com home page, CNN, ESPN and other high-traffic sites. Speed and massive scalability were critical requirements for their desired customer experience. Total video job upload, transcoding, text overlay, and delivery needed to be accomplished in less than 30 seconds with peak volume reaching 50 new videos per second.  

Google gathered data from users and passed the custom text along with style and placement instructions via a single API call to Enocding.com.

During the encoding process, the custom invitation text was placed at a specific start point and followed specific duration and style instructions to create the illusion that the text appeared as if integrated during the original editing process.

The possibilities to use Dynamic Text Overlays programmatically are virtually endless.  Imagine pulling data from user profiles to create on-the-fly, personalized commercials or integrating user data or images into the storyline of a short film to create a unique viewing experience.  Encoding.com provides massive cloud computing scale and an API based workflow with Dynamic Text Overlays to automate what used to be unreachable – unique, personalized video experiences. 

The Encoding.com team is excited to announce that Discovery Communications, the world’s #1 nonfiction media company, will leverage our cloud transcoding platform and Vid.ly universal video delivery solution to enable video playback across web, mobile and set-top box platforms for Discovery’s TV and digital brands, including:

Learn More:

Click here to read the press release

Click here to read TechCrunch's article

Watch Revision3 Video Case Study:

At Encoding.com, we have cloud-based video transcoding on our minds round-the-clock. However, we also recognize that not everyone is an expert on the topic. For those interested, we put together this handy Encoding 101 guide to answer 5 common introductory questions about cloud-based video transcoding. Enjoy!

What is Cloud-Based Video Transcoding?

Cloud-based video transcoding converts video for playback across a broad spectrum of media players, operating systems, devices and browsers using the infinitely scaleable, parallel processing capabilities of cloud computing. Users only pay for the transcoding volume they use as-a-service avoiding unnecessary infrastructure investments, development resources and ongoing R&D. Robust cloud-based encoding solutions provide value added services including editing and customization features, packaging options (e.g. digital rights management), closed captioning and more.

How do I use Cloud-Based Video Transcoding?

In the case of Encoding.com, the simplest solution is often Vid.ly Universal URL for enterprise-grade, hosted video delivery as-a-service. Users upload video via our  browser-based interface or API and receive a universal embed code and URL for universal playback. Any time the hosted video is viewed, Vid.ly runs device detection to stream an optimized video format tailored to the  viewer's unique playback environment. In addition, our easy-to-use  browser based UI, well documented XML API, Watch Folder tool, and high-speed Desktop Uploader integrate seamlessly into any video workflow. Interested in some use cases? Check out how AOL and Revision3 are using cloud-based video transcoding.

Why do I need to transcode video in the Cloud? 

You need to be profitable. Utilizing a transcoding solution that maximizes your audience and delivers superior quality is an imperative. Also, you need to minimize R&D costs required to remain current with the latest and greatest formats, bit rates, codecs, etc… while reducing your CAPEX and in-house management costs. Achieving profitability and self-sustainability are two key reasons why broadcasters, production houses, digital agency’s, VOD services and key players throughout the “video eco-system” often utilize cloud video transcoding to address their daily workflow requirements.

What opportunities does transcoding video in the cloud create? 

You are in the business of providing engaging video programming and delivering a seamless user experience. A robust cloud-based encoding solution can further automate your workflow and free up valuable resources to focus on feature and performance enhancements: video player customization, content targeting, social media and community-building tools, language localization, and so much more.

What if I have already invested in on-site transcoding infrastructure? 

Cloud-based encoding vs. investment in on-site encoding infrastructure is NOT a mutually exclusive decision. In fact, many businesses implement a hybrid model in which cloud transcoding is used to manage jobs that exceed the capacity of on-site infrastructure. Also, cloud-based encoding is popular for specific use cases such as transcoding a massive file library without bogging down on-site infrastructure.

This past weekend, Red Bull entertained San Francisco with their world famous Flugtag competition. Over 116,000 spectators (included members of the Encoding.com team) were in attendance to enjoy this exciting event filled with engineering marvels and mishaps. RED Bull also produces some amazing videos. Enjoy this Vid.ly as one of our most creative clients brings together extreme sports athletes to create the ultimate Rube Goldberg machine!

Up to 100x faster than FTP. Desktop convenience with cloud power.

Encoding.com remains commited to providing our community with powerful, user firendly, cloud encoding solutions. Our new Desktop Uploader makes it easy for anyone to batch upload large source files and process them in parallel at a massive scale. Simply drag source files into the Encoding.com icon in your toolbar and your done! 

The Encoding.com team is excited to be selected as one of Streaming Media's 100 Companies That Matter Most in Online Media for a second consecutive year!

I am often asked the question "when does it make sense to use Vid.ly instead of YouTube?" Although both solutions offer their own distinctive advantages, Encoding.com customers typically use Vid.ly to accomplish a number of business objectives that YouTube is not built to support.  When deciding on the best solution for your video project, consider the following evaluation criteria:

Specializing in Universal Mobile Delivery

YouTube's model requires free video hosting at massive scale. Unlike Vid.ly, YouTube can't afford to encode your video in every format necessary to guarantee best-possible quality to the nearly 6,000 mobile devices available on the market. A Vid.ly video will look better than a YouTube video on nearly any mobile device. 

Updating Your Messaging


Need to update videos linked to the QR codes in your catalog, magazine, newspaper, billboard or other out-of-home advertising? YouTube won't let you update a video on their site or using their API. It's impossible. Vid.ly makes it easy. Need to update the curriculum in your OSHA safety videos? Vid.ly can handle that for you. Need to update the videos in your archive securely and without making any changes to your site? Vid.ly says no problem. Boom! Point, Vid.ly.


Branding Your Video

YouTube provides an acceptable medium for video delivery under the condition that you are amenable to YouTube’s terms of service. These terms include granting YouTube control over the branded playback environment, as well as non-exclusive rights to use and advertise on your content in any way they see fit. If maintaining control of your brand messaging is critical, Vid.ly provides a powerful suite of features designed to enable video delivery on your terms. YouTube watermarks every video you embed with their logo.  Using Vid.ly, your video stays your video. Vid.ly makes it easy to automate the remixing and editing of user generated video with branded content (watermarking, stitching, voiceovers, etc). You will have complete control over your video's branding with a single CSS customization for both the Vid.ly Flash and HTML5 video players. Boom! Point, Vid.ly.

Securing Your IP

YouTube does not offer any security features. Vid.ly is the only option when you require review for approval prior to publishing (ex. moderation of user-generated video), secure delivery to all devices, access restrictions on those devices, or preparation of content for monetization (ex. online courses). Vid.ly enables the level(s) of security you need to achieve your objectives. Need to restrict access based on the viewer's location? Vid.ly can handle that. Need to restrict access to a specific time frame? Vid.ly can handle that. Need to make sure your video can only be seen on your website? Vid.ly can handle that for you. YouTube can't handle any of that. YouTube is not secure – ever. Boom! Point, Vid.ly.

Engaging Your Customers

YouTube offers a “no-frills” approach to video delivery. Your video deserves “frills.” When a prospect watching your videos is valuable to you, the “frills” are what get the job done right. Vid.ly offers QR Code support to drive in-store and at-the-ad views. Vid.ly offers super-simple moderation of UGV contributions. Vid.ly makes your video play on any device. Vid.ly lets you update videos as they become obsolete. Need to update the video in that QR code you printed on 20,000 billboards? Vid.ly makes it easy. YouTube makes it impossible. Vid.ly Analytics also makes it easy to measure user engagement on each platform and device. People call this closing the loop. Boom! Point, Vid.ly.

Supporting You

YouTube does not provide customer support. Vid.ly offers live technical support, expert consultation, and professional services.  Which would you rather depend on? Boom! Point, Vid.ly.

YouTube is in the business of making your content fit into their business model. If your business creates video to share your cute cat with the world or make your grandson laugh, then please ignore me. YouTube is perfect for you. If you create video to engage with customers and generate business, then you should consider building your own branded content hub. Vid.ly gives you the building blocks that put the video sizzle in any app or site you need. Your video, your way.

Please, tell YouTube he’s they're fired. And give me or my team a call. We’re happy to help.

Webs, the world's largest do-it-yourself solution for creating great looking websites and recently acquired by Vistaprint, has integrated Encoding.com's Vid.ly into its SiteBuilder3 website builder platform to power its premium video product.  Now everyone can enhance their websites with video without requiring any technical or coding skills. 

Webs has made it very simple for its users to enable video on their sites which can then be viewed by any browser or mobile device.  Webs users can upload their videos via the SiteBuilder3 interface.  Vid.ly then converts the video into a variety of formats and bitrates appropriate for all popular browsers and mobile devices.  Webs users are provided a short URL and embed code to publish on their sites.  When visitors click on the video, Vid.ly detects what device / browser they are using and delivers the appropriate video format. 

"Video content is a key element of any modern, professional website and Encoding.com's Vid.ly, integrated into SiteBuilder3, makes building a website that includes rich video content easier than ever," said Haroon Mokhtarzada, co-founder of Webs and VP of Global Digital Products for Vistaprint.

No design or coding expertise required. Start building your video site today!

We love Revision3! If you are not one of the 23 Million monthly viewers, then you need to check out some of the best original web video programming on the Internets.  Here are 3 popular shows from over 30, high-quality HD shows that we like:

Revision3's goal is to "put video on anything with a screen" and Encoding.com's highly scalable cloud-based platform helps them achieve this.

“Working with Encoding.com has enabled our Production team to focus its energies on generating superb quality output while eliminating the overhead of managing encoding infrastructure in-house,” said Rob DeMillo, CTO of Revision3. “The Encoding.com team has been very responsive to our needs and continues to build out new features to meet our evolving requirements.”

Revision3 realized that the in-house encoding of its massive amounts of content, into all the formats needed, had become a scaling bottleneck as well as a resource drain.  Revision3 migrated from it’s own transcoding servers to Encoding.com’s powerful, cloud-based parallel processing for its video encoding, allowing for a cost effective, scalable, and flexible solution. In addition to the benefits offered by the cloud, Revision3 also relies on Encoding.com’s domain expertise and attention to rapid technology evolution in video, to manage the technical details that ensure successful viewing on new formats and devices in the market.

Working with the Revision3 technical team has been awesome.  Looking forward to their continued success.

I'd like to thank the great folks who run ad:tech for inviting Encoding.com to participate in the Startup Spotlight series and competition.  It was awesome sharing the Innovation Alley with many other interesting and soon-to-be successful startups.

We're also excited and honored to announce that Encoding.com won the coveted Innovation Award for Video.  We showcased some of our work powering video campaigns for amazing agencies such as Tribal DDB's "Bud Light High-Five League" user-generated video (UGV) competition for Anheuser Busch; Firstborn's "Try a New Look" branded video mashup app for iPhones and iPads for Pepsi's SoBe brand; and Creative Asylum's "GLEE Give a Note" campaign supporting music education programs for high schools around the country.  You can view the presentation below.

Special shout out to DOTSTUDIOZ, Addroid and SeaWell Networks for providing stiff competition.  Excellent presentations.