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5 star rating

Great overview of video quality metrics, tools and practi...

Maria Ingold

Jan provides a great overview of the different video quality metrics, a breakdown of different tools used to measure PSNR, SSIM and VMAF and supports that wi...

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Jan provides a great overview of the different video quality metrics, a breakdown of different tools used to measure PSNR, SSIM and VMAF and supports that with practical examples including tips and tricks he uses for analysis and reporting.

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5 star rating

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Alejandro Camacho

Me pareció muy interesante y muy complejo.

Me pareció muy interesante y muy complejo.

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Eliminate the Guesswork from Your Encoding Decisions

Jan Ozer here. I’ve been compressing video since around 1993. For most of that time, all encoding decisions and recommendations were largely opinion-based. Sure, you tested the parameters and scrutinized the output, but subjective opinions are just so .. subjective.

Then I learned how to compute objective metrics like PSNR, SSIM, and VMAF, which inspired me to write Video Encoding by the Numbers: How to Eliminate the Guesswork from Your Streaming Video. The book evaluates dozens of codecs and encoding configuration options, and every recommendation is based on metric scores; in the words of one Amazon reviewer, transforming “alchemy into science.”


As a video encoding professional, you should approach encoding and configuration decisions the same way. Choosing a preset for your codec or encoder? Run some test encodes, time the results, and measure quality. Then you’ll know exactly what the quality/encoding cost tradeoff is. 

Evaluating a new codec? Run BD-Rate comparisons, or better yet, weighed average computations and compute the precise impact a new codec will have on your bandwidth cost and viewer QoE. 

This course teaches you how, so you can eliminate the guesswork from your encoding decisions. 


Who This Course is For

  • Encoding professionals who want to optimize their encoding ladders and encoding configurations

  • Encoding professionals who want to quantity the benefits of adopting a new codec

  • Researchers seeking to produce and interpret BD-Rate computations and Rate-Distortion Curves

You Will Learn

  • The pros and cons of common metrics like VMAF, PSNR, SSIMPLUS, Apple AVQT, and SSIM

  • How to compute these metrics and interpret the scores

  • How to create rate distortion curves and compute BD-Rate functions for internal decision making or articles and presentations

  • How to compute weighted average bandwidth savings and quality impact to determine true benefits of adopting a new codec

  • How to use these results to make decisions like choosing the optimal encoding parameters or preset, building an encoding ladder, and choosing an encoder

  • How to use tools like the Moscow State University Video Quality Metric Tool, SSIMPLUS VOD Inspector, Hybrik Media Analyzer, and FFmpeg to compute these metrics

Watch Intro Video

From the Author

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

  • 2

    Introductory Concepts: Getting the Lay of the Land

    • Metric Overview

    • Comparing Objective Metrics

    • Using Metrics - In General (Going Beyond the Number)

    • Introduction to Rate Distortion Curves and BD-Rate Functions

    • Introduction to Weighted Average Bandwidth and Quality Computations
  • 3

    Meet the Metrics - Pros, Cons, and How to Interpret Scores

  • 4

    Plan Your Encodes and Testing (Getting it Right the First Time)

  • 5

    FFmpeg Operations - Using FFmpeg to Compute Metrics and Convert Files for Other Tools

  • 6

    Learning to Use (and Love) the Moscow State University Video Quality Measurement Tool (VQMT)

  • 7

    FFMetrics - A Free Tools With Strong Visualization Functions

    • Intro to FFMetrics and Getting Up and Running

    • Accessing FFMetrics Results Files

    • FFMetrics - Command Line Operation

    • Running FFMetrics

  • 8

    Creating Rate-Distortion Curves and BD-Rate Functions in Microsoft Excel

    • Microsoft Excel: Producing Rate Distortion Curves

    • Producing BD-Rate Functions

    • Efficient Chart Title Creation in Excel
  • 9

    Computing Weighted Average Bandwidth Savings and Quality Uplift

    • Computing Weighted Average Bandwidth Savings and Quality Impact
  • 10

    Applying What You've Learned - Improving Encoding Configurations and Encoding Related Decision Making

  • 11

    Hybrik Media Analyzer - Affordable, Scaleable, Cloud-Based VQ Analysis

Instructor

Instructor

Jan Ozer

Jan is a recognized expert in streaming media who has tested codecs since 1993 (not a misprint) and has taught in-person and online courses on video and streaming production since 1995.

Jan is a contributing editor to Streaming Media Magazine, where he tests and reports on codecs, encoders, and related products and services. Jan has authored multiple books on streaming production, including Video Encoding by the Numbers: Eliminate the Guesswork from your Streaming Video and Learn to Produce Video with FFmpeg in 30 Minutes or Less.

Besides these courses, Ozer teaches workshops at Streaming Media online and in-person events. Overall, the Streaming Learning Center has served over 4000 students from some of the biggest names in streaming video.

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