Stream transcoding
Just one stream. Several ways to listen.
Instead of broadcasting multiple streams from your studio, give your listeners a selection of bitrates and audio formats. Using your current stream, MixStream Transcoding generates different versions in real time.
What is transcoding?
Deliver different qualities from a single broadcast
The source is your primary stream. After receiving that audio, our transcoder converts it into different bitrates or formats before sending each version to its target streaming server.
This allows you to broadcast one high-quality stream from your studio while providing listeners with other streams that are more suitable for slower connections, mobile listening or devices that work best with a particular format.
Transcoding features
More options for your listeners
Automatically generate alternative versions of your station while continuing to broadcast your primary stream in the same way as before.
Real-time transcoding
Without changing how you broadcast from your studio, your source stream is continuously converted in real time to create alternative streams.
Up to 5 target streams
Give your listeners a choice of bitrates and formats alongside your original stream by creating up to five different streams from a single source.
MP3 & AAC+
Create streams using MP3 or AAC+ so you can provide different combinations of audio formats and bitrates for your listeners.
Better for mobile
For listeners using mobile data or unreliable connections, a lower bitrate option can reduce bandwidth use and help avoid interruptions.
One source connection
Running multiple encoders at the studio isn’t necessary. Let the transcoder produce the alternatives while you continue to send your main stream as usual.
Full control panel
Instead of depending on us to make everyday changes for you, you can manage your transcoder directly through its own control panel.
How it works
Source and target streams
Source stream – Your original stream is the source stream. The transcoder only needs to receive this stream, which is typically the highest quality version of your station.
Target streams – The alternative versions produced by the transcoder are known as target streams. You can have up to five targets, each allowing you to provide a different bitrate or format alongside your original stream.
A better listening experience
Let listeners choose the stream that works best for them
Not every listener will benefit from your highest quality stream, even though it might sound great on a fast connection. A lower bitrate stream that uses less bandwidth might be preferred by someone listening on a mobile device, travelling or using an unreliable connection.
You can offer both without compromising your primary broadcast by using transcoding. While you continue to send a single high-quality source stream, listeners can select the version that best suits them.
One source could become…
- High quality stream for broadband & Wi-Fi
- Lower bitrate stream for mobile listening
- Low bandwidth stream for slower connections
- MP3 option for broad compatibility
- AAC+ option for efficient low bitrate audio
Transcoding with MixStream
A specialist service, made straightforward
Stream transcoding is usually associated with larger broadcasting setups, but we’ve made it practical for smaller internet radio stations too. You get your own control panel and can manage the service without needing to build or maintain your own transcoding infrastructure.
Our transcoding platform is hosted separately from our main streaming services, helping to keep the resource-intensive conversion process isolated from your primary stream. Setup is quick, and if you’re unsure which bitrates or formats to offer, we can help you choose a sensible configuration.
Why MixStream?
- Streaming specialists since 2007
- Up to 5 target streams
- Full transcoder control panel
- Instant setup
- Dedicated transcoding infrastructure
- Support from people who understand streaming
Stream transcoding
Give your listeners more choice
Create alternative bitrates and formats from your existing stream without running additional encoders at your studio.
Transcoding service
Up to 5 target streams
Everything you need to create multiple versions of your existing stream.
From £6.99/ month
- Up to 5 target streams
- MP3 & AAC+
- Real-time transcoding
- Full control panel
- Instant setup