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Multi-Codec Support Within Projects

NowSignage offers end-to-end control over codec management throughout your project, ensuring reliable, high-quality playback across every device, regardless of hardware variations.

 

Table of contents:

 

 

Overview

Historically, NowSignage projects required a single codec to be assigned across the entire project, which often presented challenges in mixed hardware environments where devices support different codecs.

Our latest release in October 2025 now introduces advanced codec management, empowering you to configure codecs at multiple levels for maximum flexibility:

  • Project level
  • Folder level
  • Individual screen level

This enhancement enables broader compatibility across diverse estates and eliminates the constraints of single-codec deployments.

Key Features:

1. Granular Codec Configuration

  • Project Codec: Defined when creating a new project or adjusted later through Project Settings.
    Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 12.03.31

By default, newly created screens inherit the project codec unless a more specific setting is applied at the folder or screen level.

  • Folder Codec: Set at the folder level (when creating or editing). All screens in that folder will inherit the folder codec, overriding the project codec.

    Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 12.12.34
  • Screen Codec: Set on individual screens (Edit > Settings). This overrides both folder and project codecs. You can also apply codecs in bulk using the Apply Codec to Selected option.

    Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 12.13.09
    Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 12.13.16

 

2. Multi-Codec Video Processing

  • When multiple codecs are enabled (via folder or screen overrides), new video uploads will be processed and made available in all applicable codecs.
  • Videos uploaded prior to these changes remain in their original codec and will not be automatically converted.
  • You can review which codec formats are available for any video by visiting the Content Library, where each uploaded file lists its available codecs.

 

Codec Priority Hierarchy (listed Lowest → Highest)

  • Project Codec:
    • Serves as the default for the entire project.
    • Newly added screens inherit this codec unless a more granular override is applied.
  • Folder Codec
    • Applied to all screens within a folder, taking priority over the project codec.
    • If a screen is removed from a folder, it will revert to the project codec unless it has its own screen-specific codec assigned.
  • Screen Codec
    • Applied directly at the screen level.
    • Takes the highest priority, overriding both folder and project codec settings.
    • Ideal for unique device-specific codec requirements.

 

 

General Usage Guidance

  • At project creation, select your preferred default codec.
  • For existing projects, update codec settings via Project Settings as needed.
  • Use folder-level codecs for managing groups of screens efficiently.
  • Apply codecs at the individual screen level or across multiple screens for tailored compatibility.

 

Troubleshooting & FAQ

* Codec Migration Tool Decommissioned

The former Codec Migration Tool has been retired from the platform to promote greater stability and reduce system errors.

  • Once a video is uploaded, its codec cannot be changed or migrated.
  • If you update codec settings (at any level), existing videos must be re-uploaded to be encoded in the new codec(s).