Microsoft KB Archive/290545

= Information Regarding Variable Bit Rate Encoding =

Article ID: 290545

Article Last Modified on 11/3/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 8.0
 * Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1

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This article was previously published under Q290545



SUMMARY
Variable Bit rate (VBR) encoding allows a user to guarantee a specified quality throughout the course of an encoding session. To maintain this quality, the bitrate of the resultant file may fluctuate. In instances of high motion or detail, the encoder automatically allocates a higher bit rate. In low motion or detailed scenes, the encoder conserves bit rate.

Content should only be encoded at a variable bit rate when it is intended to be downloaded and then played back locally. The buffer associated with variable bit rate content can be quite large making the start-up delay unacceptable for streaming scenarios.

In addition to local playback, VBR encoded content is meant only to be played in Windows Media Player version 7 and later. Although it will sometimes playback, VBR content does not play back well in the Windows Media Player 6.4 and earlier.



MORE INFORMATION
VBR encoding is a feature of the Windows Media Video 8 codec. When this article was published, VBR content can only be created with the Windows Media 8 Encoding Utility. To playback content created with the Windows Media 8 Encoding Utility, the Windows Media Player must be able to connect to the codec server for the latest codecs.

Additional query words: netshow VBR WM8EUtil

Keywords: kbinfo KB290545

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