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Support ArticlesWhat is the Best Audio Codec for Online Video Streaming?
When it comes to delivering great online streaming, choosing the best audio bitrate for streaming is just as important as video quality. For most platforms, AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) is widely regarded as the industry standard. This is because of its excellent balance between quality and compression. When considering what is a good audio bitrate for streaming, a 128 kbps AAC bitrate is typically sufficient for casual streaming. However, for higher quality or professional streams, an AAC bitrate of 192 kbps to 256 kbps is recommended. This is especially the case for 1080p video when audio bitrate for 1080p is requird.
The types of audio codec available, such as AAC, MP3, and Opus, differ in terms of quality and efficiency. But AAC is often regarded as the best audio codec for streaming. Its AAC bitrate quality consistently offers superior sound, even at lower bitrates. Understanding the audio formats for video and which codec to use ensures an optimal streaming experience that delivers clear, crisp sound to your audience.
Table of Contents
- What is an Audio Codec?
- Common Audio Codecs
- The SBC Codec
- The Best Audio Codecs
- Recommended Audio Bitrate for Streaming
- Related Audio Encoding Settings
- Video Codecs
- Plus (Advantages)
- Minus (Disadvantages)
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What is an Audio Codec?
The word “codec” is short for “coder/decoder.”
The term codec is a portmanteau that combines the words “coder” and “decoder.” A codec is a standard tool for encoding and decoding multimedia files.
“RAW” or uncompressed audio files are recorded using techniques that capture as much audio data as soon as possible. This provides very high quality but results in very large file sizes that aren’t practical for live streaming platforms.
To make audio files smaller and easier to distribute, we use a codec.
The first thing a codec does is encode an audio file. This encoding involves tossing out extra information to reduce the file size in size while maintaining as much quality as possible. This process involves a sequence of complex mathematical functions.
The second role of a codec is decoding, which is essentially playing back an audio file that has previously been encoded. To make a complex process very simple, this means reversing the math done during the encoding step.
In short, an audio codec is a protocol for compressing digital audio to save space and for playing back with the video.
Common Audio Codecs
There are several common audio codecs for live streaming platforms available for use. However, MP3 and ACC are the most common.
There is a wide range of audio codecs for live streaming available today. However, not all audio codecs are equally supported by audio devices or video hosting sites.
Some devices may support one audio codec for live streaming, but not another. Some provide better quality, while others focus on compression above all else.
These are important considerations when it comes to deciding on the best audio codec for live streaming for a given situation. Let’s go over a few of the most common and best audio codecs for videos.
1. MP3
One of the most well-known audio formats live streamers use is probably MP3, which is technically called MPEG-2 Audio Layer III.
Originally introduced in the 1990s, MP3 revolutionized digital audio. Files were much smaller than the previous audio formats used, allowing them to be streamed as a live broadcast, downloaded over the internet, or viewed on streaming software.
MP3 also helped push the era of portable digital music past the CD era by enabling iPods and other early “MP3 players.” It is still widely used today.
MP3 is a widely used audio codec because it offers near-CD sound quality. This high-quality audio is made possible by shrinking the source audio file and removing the inaudible parts of the audio.
2. AAC
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) was developed a few years after MP3 and is built on the success of the MP3 format but increased compression efficiency.
This audio codec for live streaming is designed to produce high-quality sounds at low bitrates. AAC streaming generally provides better audio quality at the same bitrate as MP3 or comparable quality at lower bitrates.
AAC has been upgraded several times. The latest version of the standard is High Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE-AAC). It is a closed-source format but is probably the most widely used audio codec for live streaming on the internet today. It is supported by most video streaming platforms
3. WAV (LPCM)
WAV, which is short for “Waveform Audio File Format,” was originally released more than 25 years ago. It is one of the oldest audio encoding formats and was created from a collaboration between Microsoft and IBM.
This audio codec for live streaming is known to be primarily used on Windows computers to store uncompressed audio in the LPCM format. It is a flexible format that allows a file to have multiple channels with an unlimited number of bits per sample. Therefore, it is a good choice for multichannel broadcasting.
4. AIFF
AIFF is a Mac format that’s similar to WAV. It stores uncompressed audio using the PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation).
Like WAV files, AIFF files are very large—around 10 MB for one minute of a standard audio recording.
5. WMA
Another codec on the market, albeit one that is becoming less common, is WMA—Windows Media Audio. This audio codec for live streaming was developed as an alternative to MP3 but has become somewhat of a niche product.
WMA is great for producing high-quality sound with low audio bitrates for streaming and it works best with Windows. It is one of the most commonly used codecs because it consists of four individual codecs, including WMA, WMA Voice, Lossless, and Pro.
6. Opus
The final audio codec for live streaming we’ll take a look at is Opus. Opus isn’t in wide use yet, but it’s considered a next-generation codec. It provides higher audio quality at all audio bitrates for streaming compared to every other codec listed here. Opus also has the added advantage of being royalty-free and open-source.
Both iOS and Android now natively support Opus playback. We’ll likely see Opus getting wider use in the future.
Some other common audio codecs for live streaming platforms include LDAC, FLAC, and ALAC. LDAC is Sony’s proprietary audio codec for video, which supports high-quality audio with low latency. FLAC and ALAC also offer high-quality audio output with no audio degradation.
The SBC Codec
The SBC codec (Low Complexity Subband Coding) is a common Bluetooth audio codec designed for efficient audio streaming over Bluetooth. It compresses audio data, enabling smooth playback, but at the cost of some audio quality, especially when compared to more advanced codecs like AAC. However, SBC is widely supported because of its simplicity and low power consumption. These factors make it ideal for everyday Bluetooth audio.
When comparing AAC vs SBC, AAC generally provides better sound quality, especially at lower bitrates. This makes it the recommended audio bitrate for streaming when quality is a priority. In contrast, SBC is more suitable for basic Bluetooth applications. For video streaming, AAC is often regarded as the best audio codec for video and the best audio format for streaming because of its higher fidelity. Understanding the role of an audio decoder, such as SBC or AAC ensures the best performance across different streaming audio formats and devices.
The Best Audio Codec
ACC is currently the best audio codec for live streaming platforms often used for professional broadcasting and live events.
We believe that AAC is the best audio codec for live streaming for most situations. It is a professional broadcasting audio codec that is supported by a wide range of devices and software platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Other devices such as Smart TVs and set-top boxes also support AAC.
Besides wide support, AAC also has the advantage of better audio quality compared to MP3. Blind listening tests generally show that AAC is the best codec available for general use.
This may change in the future as Opus becomes more broadly supported. However, hardware and software changes move slowly. That day is likely still a few years away.
For internet video, AAC is the best audio codec for live streaming as well as video on demand. This is generally configured via settings in your hardware or software encoder
Recommended Audio Bitrate for Streaming
Bitrate refers to the amount of data contained in a digital media file per second of that media. Typically measured in Kbps (Kilobits per second), the audio bitrate for streaming can often be a stand-in for quality.
All else being equal, an AAC audio file that’s encoded at a bitrate of 192 Kbps will sound better than one encoded at 64 Kbps.
Our recommended audio bitrates for video, when using AAC, our recommendation for the best audio codec for a live streaming platform, are as follows:
- For 360p (low quality) video, use 64 Kbps audio bitrate
- With 480p and 720p video, use 128 Kbps audio bitrate
- For 1080p video, use 256 Kbps audio
Related Audio Encoding Settings
Aside from codecs, there are a number of other audio encoding settings that are important for the audio of any live stream, live event, live video, or video on demand.
We’re going to briefly cover channels, audio sample rates, and video codecs.
Recommended Channels (Stereo vs. Mono)
You may also notice a live-streaming audio setting for channels in your audio encoding settings. There will be two settings here: stereo, and mono. Mono refers to “one,” a setting that should be used only for low-quality video. Using mono reduces audio bitrate for streaming
Generally, you should use stereo audio for all video recordings and broadcasts at 480p and above. Using live streaming platforms for audio mixing in this format will provide a superior listening experience for the live streamer, especially on a social media platform like YouTube.
Recommended Audio Sample Rate
The sample rate is another live-streaming audio setting related to audio quality. It simply refers to the number of audio measurements taken per second with a given recording. More samples per second will record a fuller, richer palette of tones, but will result in more data.
Generally, we recommend that you use 44100 Khz as the audio sample rate for all live streaming and online video. This is the standard for most audio equipment and recordings and will function perfectly, creating a better listening experience for live-stream viewers.
Video Codecs
H.264, also known as MPEG-4 Part 10, is a video compression standard for high-definition digital video.
Plus (Advantages):
Works well for live events and broadcasts on social media platforms like YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live, etc.
Smaller file sizes compared to uncompressed formats, make it suitable for streaming and downloading over the internet.
Minus (Disadvantages):
May not be the best choice for high-quality audio streaming for talk shows, virtual meetings, YouTube videos, etc. using a mobile phone.
FAQs
1. What is an Audio Codec?
A: The word “codec” is a combination of “coder” and “decoder.” It is a standard tool used for encoding and decoding multimedia clip files.
2. Common Audio Codecs
A: Opus is considered a next-generation codec due to its superior audio quality at all bitrates and its status as royalty-free and open-source. It’s gaining wider support for various platforms.
3. The Best Audio Codec
4. Recommended Audio Bitrate for Streaming
5. Related Audio Encoding Settings
6. Why is an audio codec important?
7. Audio codec comparison
Conclusion
To conclude, AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) is widely considered the best audio codec for online video streaming. Its efficient compression and high-quality output make it ideal for various platforms. It provides a great balance between file size and clarity. When looking at which audio codec is best, AAC continues to rank high due to its versatility and superior performance at a range of bitrates, especially for audio bitrate streaming in 1080p video where 192 kbps AAC audio bitrate is often recommended.
Understanding audio codec meaning and conducting an audio codec comparison is key to optimizing your streaming setup. While there are several audio streaming formats available, AAC stands out as the best audio format for video and the best audio encoder for most applications. Its compatibility with the best audio decoders ensures clear, crisp sound at an efficient streaming audio bitrate, enhancing the overall viewing experience
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