Understanding Video Encoders in Teamly Capture

When recording videos, choosing the right video encoder is crucial for achieving the best balance between quality, performance, and file size. Video encoders compress and encode video files, making them easier to store, share, and play back efficiently across different devices and platforms.

Each encoder is designed with specific use cases in mind, whether you’re streaming, editing videos, or capturing high-quality recordings. Some prioritize speed and efficiency, while others focus on maximizing video quality. No matter your setup—whether you’re using a high-performance system with advanced hardware or a more basic configuration—there’s an encoder tailored to optimize your video recording and streaming experience.

To adjust your video encoder settings, click on your profile icon located in the bottom left side panel.

Click on "Settings."

Click on "Capture Settings."

⚠️ The "Capture settings" tab is exclusively available in the desktop app, which you can download here. 

Navigate to the "Screen" tab.

Configure your video encoder setting.

The available encoding options depend on your system's hardware and may vary based on the supported hardware encoders.

Click on "Save."

Below is an outline of the different encoders available, their benefits, and the ideal use cases for each.

The "Default" encoder in Teamly Capture automatically selects the most suitable encoding method based on your system’s hardware and software capabilities. This means that the application will choose between a hardware-accelerated encoder (like NVENC, Quick Sync, or AMF) or a software-based encoder (like x264 or libopenh264) to deliver optimal performance and video quality.

Why use the "Default" encoder?

    •    Automatic Optimization: The system selects the best encoder based on your hardware setup, ensuring efficient performance.

    •    Balanced Performance & Quality: Achieves smooth recording or streaming without needing manual adjustments.

    •    Best for General Use: Ideal for users who are unsure about which encoder to select or for general screen recording and streaming needs.

    •    Compatible Across Devices: Works across various setups without extra configuration, making it the easiest choice.

Recommended When:

    •    You’re new to video encoding and want an automatic, hassle-free option.

    •    You want Teamly Capture to optimize video encoding based on your system.

    •    You are using a mix of hardware and software and need flexibility in encoding.

Since the "Default" encoder intelligently selects the best available encoding method, it’s perfect for users who prefer an easy, no-fuss setup with automatic optimization.

The "h.264_mf" encoder utilizes Microsoft Media Foundation (mf) to compress and process video on Windows systems efficiently. It takes advantage of built-in hardware acceleration, helping reduce CPU usage while maintaining high-quality video output.

Why use the "h.264_mf" encoder?

    •    Faster Encoding: Uses your GPU (Intel Quick Sync, AMD VCE, or NVIDIA NVENC) to speed up the encoding process.

    •    Lower CPU Usage: Offloads encoding tasks to the GPU, allowing your system to run more efficiently.

    •    Optimized for Windows: Works seamlessly with Windows-based applications that support Media Foundation.

    •    Reliable Video Quality: Encodes in the widely supported h.264 format, ensuring compatibility across devices.

Recommended When:

    •    You are using Windows 10 or later and need a balance between encoding speed and video quality.

    •    You need efficient screen recording with minimal lag.

    •    You want to stream or encode video with lower CPU consumption.

By choosing "h.264_mf", you can achieve fast encoding without compromising video quality, making it an excellent choice for Windows users who need to efficiently manage resources.

The "h.264_qsv" encoder uses Intel’s Quick Sync Video (qsv) technology for efficient hardware-accelerated encoding. This option is available on Intel processors with integrated graphics, providing improved performance for video recording, streaming, and processing.

Why Use "h.264_qsv?"

    •    Faster Encoding: Takes advantage of Intel’s dedicated video processing hardware for rapid encoding.

    •    Lower CPU Usage: Offloads video encoding tasks to Intel’s integrated GPU, freeing up system resources for other tasks.

    •    Optimized for Intel Processors: Works seamlessly with Intel HD, UHD, or Iris Graphics for best performance.

    •    High-Quality & Efficient Compression: Delivers high-quality h.264 video with smaller file sizes.

Recommended When:

    •    You are using an Intel processor with Quick Sync Video support.

    •    You want to record or stream with minimal performance impact on your system.

    •    You’re looking for faster video rendering, such as for video editing or exporting.

By utilizing "h.264_qsv", you can enjoy high-speed video encoding with minimal system slowdown, making it ideal for Intel-based Windows users.

The "h.264_videotoolbox" encoder leverages Apple’s video toolbox framework to efficiently compress and process video on macOS. It utilizes hardware acceleration to deliver high-quality video while reducing CPU load, making it ideal for performance-focused workflows.

Why Use the "h.264_videotoolbox" encoder?

    •    Faster Encoding: Uses macOS’s built-in hardware acceleration (Apple Silicon or Intel Quick Sync) to speed up video processing.

    •    Lower CPU Usage: Offloads encoding tasks to dedicated video processing hardware, improving system performance.

    •    Optimized for macOS: Designed to integrate seamlessly with macOS applications that support Video Toolbox.

    •    Reliable Video Quality: Encodes in the widely compatible H.264 format, ensuring smooth playback across various devices and platforms.

Recommended When:

    •    You are using macOS and want a balance between encoding speed and video quality.

    •    You need efficient screen recording or video processing with minimal system slowdown.

    •    You are streaming or exporting videos and want to maximize performance while maintaining high quality.

By using the "h.264_videotoolbox" encoder, macOS users can achieve fast and efficient video encoding while keeping system resources optimized.

The "libopenh264" encoder is an open-source video encoding option that provides a software-based solution for encoding h.264 video. Developed by Cisco, it is a reliable option for systems that lack hardware acceleration (like Intel Quick Sync or NVIDIA NVENC).

Why use "libopenh264?"

    •    Fully Software-Based: Doesn’t require specialized hardware, so it’s compatible with a wide range of systems.

    •    Reliable & Widely Supported: Ensures compatibility across different platforms and applications.

    •    Works Without GPU Acceleration: Ideal for systems that don’t have dedicated hardware for video encoding.

Recommended When:

    •    You’re using a lower-end system or one without GPU-based encoding support.

    •    You don’t have access to hardware-accelerated encoding options.

    •    You need a reliable solution for encoding h.264 video where performance is secondary to compatibility.

Since "libopenh264" uses CPU-based processing, it may have slower encoding times compared to hardware-accelerated options, but it remains a reliable choice when other encoding options aren’t available.