What is H.264 Advanced Video Coding and is it Supported by Dacast?

By Jose Guevara

2 Min Read

author avatar

Jose Guevara

Jose is a part of the Dacast Customer Onboarding team and started working with the company in 2016. He has vast experience in customer service/engagement and live streaming support.

Share this post

Sign up for a 14-Day trial.

  • Start streaming in minutes
  • 10 GB of free bandwidth on us
  • No credit card required

     

    Advanced Video Coding (AVC) is known asH.264, or MPEG-4 AVCis a video codec that is commonly associated with the distribution of high definition content. This is the form of compression used for Blu-ray discs as well as many streaming video applications on the internet.

    The video standard is fully supported over the Dacast platform for both live and on-demand streaming.

    H.264 Video Format FAQ

    h.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC)Live streaming technology is constantly changing, so its normal to have questions about each of the moving parts.

    Weve put together some H.264 FAQ in hopes of answering any questions youve had about the codec.

    Are H.264 and x264 the same thing?

    H.264 and x264 are very similar but they are not the same thing. Both are viable options for live streaming codecs.

    Whats the difference between H.264 and MP4?

    H.264 and MP4 are two terms closely related to video streaming, but they are two totally different technologies.

    H.264 is a video codec and MP4 is the name of a file format.

    Is H.264 the best video codec?

    As we mentioned, live streaming technology is always evolving. However, the H.264 codec is currently the most ideal option for live stream encoding.

    Does the H.264 Codec Support 4k Video Streaming?

    Yes, this codec supports 4k video streaming.

    What is an Encoder?

    Since the H.264 has to do with your live stream encoder, it is an appropriate time to recap what exactly an encoder is.

    Encoding is a process used to convert the RAW video files captured by a camera into digital files suitable for live streaming over the internet.

    This process uses either a hardware or software encoder.

    Required Live Encoder Settings

    With Dacast, the H.264 codec is actually part of the required encoder settings.

    The following live encoder settings are required for live streaming with Dacast, regardless of your selected resolution and bitrate:

    VIDEO CODECH.264 (x264 may work)
    FRAME RATE25 or 30
    KEYFRAME INTERVAL2 secs (or 2x frame rate)
    SCANNINGProgressive
    ENCODING BITRATEConstant (CBR)
    AUDIO CODECAAC
    AUDIO BITRATE128 kbps
    AUDIO CHANNELS2 (Stereo)
    AUDIO SAMPLE RATE48 kHz (48,000 Hz)

    Any questions or you want to access this feature?Pleasecontact us.

    Not yet a Dacast user, and interested in trying Dacast risk-free for 14 days? Sign up today to get started.

    get started for free

    Additional Resources

     

    author avatar

    Jose Guevara

    Jose is a part of the Dacast Customer Onboarding team and started working with the company in 2016. He has vast experience in customer service/engagement and live streaming support.

    Free 14-Day Trial

    • Start streaming immediately
    • No credit card required
    • 10 GB of bandwidth
    Read Next

    Read Next

    article featured

    In What Currency Will Dacast Issue My Paywall Revenue?

    author avatar

    Harmonie Duhamel

    1 Min Read

    article featured

    Is There a Limited Number of Live Channels in My Dacast Account?

    author avatar

    Ruth Young

    1 Min Read

    Subscribe Now

    Stay up-to-date with the latest features and product releases. Cool tips, expert advice and more.