Updated on 2026-03-02 GMT+08:00

Video Transcoding

MPC provides standard transcoding and low-bitrate HD transcoding to meet diverse needs.

Video/audio transcoding is billed according to Video Transcoding. Audio-only transcoding is billed based on Audio Transcoding.

  • Prices
    • For H.264 standard transcoding, SD is used as the base unit. Durations for 4K, 2K, FHD, HD, and SD are converted at a ratio of 5.31:3.98:2.65:1.32:1. For example, 1 minute of FHD transcoding is equivalent to 2.65 minutes of SD transcoding.
    • For H.265 low-bitrate HD transcoding, SD is used as the base unit. Durations for 4K, 2K, FHD, HD, and SD are converted at a ratio of 5.33:3.99:2.66:1.33:1. For example, 1 minute of FHD transcoding is equivalent to 2.66 minutes of SD transcoding.

    The following table lists the pricing details of video transcoding. You can also see more information in MPC Pricing Details.

    Table 1 Prices

    Codec

    Output Resolution

    Unit Price of Standard Transcoding

    (USD/Minute)

    Unit Price of Low-Bitrate HD Transcoding

    (USD/Minute)

    H.264

    SD (640 x 480) or lower

    0.0094

    0.0282

    H.265

    SD (640 x 480) or lower

    0.0469

    0.1407

  • Billing rules
    Table 2 Billing

    Rule Item

    Description

    Billing rule

    You are billed based on the codec, output resolution, and output duration. The duration is calculated to two decimal places, and the second digit is rounded off based on the third digit. If a one-in multi-out template is used, you are charged for multiple outputs.

    You are billed based on the actual output duration. For example, if the output duration is 1.55 minutes, the transcoding cost is 1.55 multiplied by the transcoding unit price.

    Billing cycle

    Calculated on an hourly basis and reflected in real time

    Billing mode

    Pay-per-use

    Bill run time

    After the current hourly billing cycle ends, the exact time when charges are posted is determined by the system.

    Settlement time

    Settlement occurs automatically after the charges are posted.

    Billing formula

    Hourly transcoding cost = Output duration per hour x Unit price

    Billing specifications

    The specification of an output video is determined by comparing the output's resolution to the defined ranges. A video is classified into a given specification if either its width or its height falls within that specification's ranges.

    For example, a video is considered HD (1280 × 720) if its width does not exceed 1280 or its height does not exceed 720. It is classified as a higher specification only if both its long side exceeds 1280 and its short side exceeds 720.

  • Billing examples

    Assume that from 09:00 to 10:00 on a day, you transcode a 60-minute video at the 1720 x 1440 resolution using H.265 and low-bitrate HD transcoding, a 100-minute video at the 1280 x 960 resolution using H.264 and low-bitrate HD transcoding, and a 120-minute video at the 480 x 480 resolution using H.264 and standard transcoding. The transcoding cost is calculated as follows:

    Transcoding cost = Converted output duration x SD transcoding unit price. That is, 60 x 2.66 x 0.1407 + 100 x 1.32 x 0.0282 + 120 x 0.0094 = $27.3061 USD.