Low Bitrate Video: Technical Aspects
Compliant with International MPEG Standard
Mastery's low bitrate versions are possible through recent improvements in MPEG encoding technology. This new encoding capability produces MPEG files that can be played by the standard Windows Media Player. The video streams are so small that even a 486 computer is fast enough to play them at their best possible quality.
Easy on Your Server and Your Bandwidth
These low bitrate courses make it possible to run interactive video training over older network connections, fast communications links, and busy networks. This is achieved by reducing the encoded data rate, thus the file sizes of the course's audio and video. The reduced file sizes require less file server capacity and network bandwidth to play the courses.
Effect on Quality
The low bitrate video files play in a partial-screen window (from 1/4 screen to 3/4 screen), versus the full-screen video window of the standard bitrate CD-ROM versions. The low bitrate files exhibit a loss in video quality when compared to the standard bitrate full-screen CD-ROM files, however the loss is not commensurate with the reduction in file size. In other words, a great reduction in file size is achieved for a relatively modest reduction in video quality.
Data Rates
Most courses include six sets of audio and video files at various bitrates. Any or all file sets can be installed to a LAN/WAN/WEB server. The Training Server administrator can select the bitrates to be served course-by-course. The administrator can also allow the LAN/WAN end user to select their bitrate at the beginning of their training session.
Most courses with multiple bitrates include files encoded to these specifications:
- 1,280 Kbps (Mastery's standard bitrate)
- 256 Kbps
- 128 Kbps
- 64 Kbbp
- 32 Kbps
- 16 Kbps
NOTE: CDROMs for courses having over an hour of video have only one bitrate on the CD. These video files may be encoded at rates slightly lower than the Mastery standard.
Alternate reduced bitrate files can be created for these courses upon request. An additional encoding fee will apply to these orders.
