Video Transcoding education
I feel I don't understand this feature enough, even after reading the docs.
I'm using default settings for transcoding (
required) I think, just changed it to VP9.
I have 3500 files in encoded-video, which surprises me as it's like all videos were transcoded for some reason. They all come from Google Photos, from diff cameras etc, and never had any issues playing any.
- When uploaded, do original videos get saved in the library, or in /encoded-video?
- Am I losing the original file when it's transcoded?
- Why is the default target resolution so low (720p)? I know I can increase it, but are people ok in general with their 4K videos to be reduced so much? Maybe I don't understand properly what's the purpose of this.
I can't currently check in-server as I'm taking my first huge backup to the cloud (3 days and ongoing).
Thanks!18 Replies
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Successfully submitted, a tag has been added to inform contributors. :white_check_mark:1) The videos are saved in the upload folder, or the library folder if you have enabled the storage template
The encoded-video only contains the videos that have been transcoded
2) No you don't loose the original when transcoded (as they're in the upload or library folder)
3) I can't tell exactly the reason behind 720p, but it is probably to save space as it is a "duplicate" of the original only created to be read on a lot of devices.
The default settings used by Immich aimed to make your videos compatible with the widest range of device. But you could change the transcodes preferences so it does not transcode most of your videos, but only the few that you know won't work on your devices
As for backing up to the cloud, you could save space by not backing up the encoded-video and the thumbs folder, as they can be regenerated by Immich
Thank you so much. This clarifies a lot.
So basically they're duplicates only created to be served as a more compatible version, right? Similar to thumbnails (for quicker load) but for compatibility?
In that case, serving a smaller version makes sense, as it's a small sacrifice. But you're not losing the original and you can see it in compatible devices, right?
Once I get access to the server I'll dive into finding out why so many were transcoded then, as it doesn't seem normal.
yeah, I think I'll tweak the backup to exclude the encoded videos at least, as they're basically half the backup size, and not necessary.
Yes that is kind of the same idea as thumbnails
However I don't think you can see the original on compatible devices (unlike thumbs where you can choose to load the original file when you click on the image), but if you download the video, you will download the full quality one, not the transcoded version.
So this means, but I would have to double check that you'll most of the time see 720p videos
hmm, that's a bit worse. I'd hoped it'd only server the "downscaled" version when needed, and otherwise the better one
Well I stand corrected
On mobile settings -> asset viewer, you can enable "force original video"
On web I don't think it is possible though
There is https://my.immich.app/user-settings?isOpen=app-settings where you can select to display original photos, but not video
yeah, but it's a "dumb" setting. As in, it's manually chosen. Ideally you'd want to server a format based on the player capabilities. Similar to how it happens in web browsers with images. If compatible, they server webp, and if not, then png/jpg
good to know though, thanks
Maybe this will come one day, there is also mention of "live" transcoding (like Immich or Plex) which could be done in the future, but I don't know if that will be done
nice, will look forward to that
man, this clarification alone helped cut the backup size by 50%. Such a relief. 😂
Yeah when you mentionned you were doing a backup I knew I had to tell to excludes these 2 folders (40gb of thumbs is also a lot)
SHould save you some money
idk, thumbs are done by default and a set size, right? I don't think I did anything with that.
No but I meant that you don't need to backup thumbs either, if you loose them, as long as you have the originals they can be regenerated
yeah I get that. I meant that I'm not sure why it's so big as you said
That's is not necessarily that big (you can change some setting to gain space) but 40gb for a library of 300 gb, is I think "ok"
oh ok, I got confused with your "40gb of thumbs is also a lot"
but it's fine then
Yeah I meant it is a lot wasted space for your backup
Sorry I should have explained this in a better way
no prob, it's been very helpful