Techniques for selecting resolutions for encoding different shot sequences

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to stream a media title, by performing the steps of:

• selecting a first encoded file from a plurality of encoded files based on first metadata associated with the plurality of encoded files, wherein each of a plurality of encoded shot sequences that are associated with a plurality of shot sequences and are included in the first encoded file complies with a first threshold for a tradeoff metric, wherein the first encoded file is generated by:
• computing a first value of the tradeoff metric based on a first change in bitrate and a first change in visual quality when increasing from a first resolution at which a first shot sequence included in the plurality of shot sequences is encoded to a second resolution at which the first shot sequence is encoded,
• computing a second value of the tradeoff metric based on a second change in bitrate and a second change in visual quality when increasing from the first resolution at which a second shot sequence included in the plurality of shot sequences is encoded to the second resolution at which the second shot sequence is encoded,
• selecting, based on the first value, the second value, and the first threshold, either the first resolution or the second resolution for encoding the first shot sequence and the second shot sequence, and
• including an encoded first shot sequence and an encoded second shot sequence in the first encoded file;
• and
• requesting at least a portion of the first encoded file from a first server machine for playback.

A system, comprising:

• one or more memories storing instructions;
• and
• one or more processors that are coupled to the one or more memories and, when executing the instructions, are configured to perform the steps of:
• selecting a first encoded file from a plurality of encoded files based on first metadata associated with the plurality of encoded files, wherein each of a plurality of encoded shot sequences that are associated with a plurality of shot sequences and are included in the first encoded file complies with a first threshold for a tradeoff metric, wherein the first encoded file is generated by:
• computing a first value of the tradeoff metric based on a first change in bitrate and a first change in visual quality when increasing from a first resolution at which a first shot sequence included in the plurality of shot sequences is encoded to a second resolution at which the first shot sequence is encoded,
• computing a second value of the tradeoff metric based on a second change in bitrate and a second change in visual quality when increasing from the first resolution at which a second shot sequence included in the plurality of shot sequences is encoded to the second resolution at which the second shot sequence is encoded,
• selecting, based on the first value, the second value, and the first threshold, either the first resolution or the second resolution for encoding the first shot sequence and the second shot sequence, and
• including an encoded first shot sequence and an encoded second shot sequence in the first encoded file;
• and
• requesting at least a portion of the first encoded file from a first server machine for playback.