A video codec compresses and decompresses video files, reducing their size for easier storage, streaming, and playback while maintaining high video quality.
Examples of Video Codecs
1.H264
- Common, works well on most devices.
- Good for HD videos.
- Used in platforms like Netflix and many digital signage systems.
2.VP9
- Most common, created by Google.
- Compresses videos more efficiently (smaller file sizes).
- Works well with Samsung Tizen, LG, BrightSign, Windows, MAC.
3. H265
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Higher Compression Efficiency:
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Support for High Resolutions:
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Future-Proofing
Why Codecs Matter for Playback
Without the right codec, a video won’t play or may lag. - The NowSignage platform uses H264, H265 and VP9 to ensure:
- H264 for compatibility with older screens and players.
- VP9 for higher quality and smaller file sizes on modern devices.
The NowSignage platform supports the following Codec's
- VP8
- VP9 (default setting)
- H264
- H265
- VP8 (4K)
- VP9 (4K)
To modify your Video Codec settings:
- Click on the name of the project you want to edit in your account dashboard.
- Click 'Video Codec Migrations'
- Click 'Migrate to new codec'
The migration process will begin immediately. Please note that the duration may vary based on the number of videos being migrated. You can navigate away from this section while the migration continues in the background. To monitor progress, visit the video codec migration area, where the status will update to 'completed' once all videos have been successfully migrated.
Important: Please ensure that the migration process is fully completed before initiating any additional migrations.
IMPORTANT: Allsee device players require Codec H264
Your NowSignage project needs to be set to encode videos in 'H264' codec as this is the format which is supported on AllSee
Maintaining 4K Resolution in NowSignage
When uploading videos to NowSignage, the selected codec determines how the file is processed. By default, projects are set to the VP9 codec. However, it’s important to note that all standard codecs (H264, H265, VP8, and VP9) support a maximum resolution of 1080p. This means that if you upload a 4K video while using one of these codecs, it will automatically be downscaled to 1080p by our AWS video conversion service.
How to Enable 4K Video Playback
If you need to display videos in 4K resolution, you must switch the project’s codec to VP9 (4K). This codec supports rendering files at a maximum resolution of 4K. However, there are a few key considerations before making this change:
1.Project-Wide Change – Switching to VP9 (4K) applies to the entire project, affecting all uploaded videos.
2.Hardware Compatibility – Ensure that all hardware in your project supports the VP9 4K codec before making the switch. We recommend testing it on a single device before applying it across the project.
Feature Access – The VP9 (4K) codec is feature-flagged. Please contact our support team for assistance to confirm this tag is applied before proceeding.