Systems and methods for encoding and streaming video encoded using a plurality of maximum bitrate levels

A non-transitory machine readable medium containing processor instructions for encoding source content as a plurality of alternative video streams and adaptively streaming the plurality of alternative video streams, each having a bitrate, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor causes the processor to perform a process that comprises:

• identifying source video content;
• identifying a plurality of resolutions for encoding of video content;
• and
• for each particular resolution of the plurality of resolutions:
• encoding at least a portion of the source video content multiple times to produce multiple different encoded versions, each encoded version using a combination of the particular resolution with a different target bitrate from a plurality of different target bitrates;
• evaluating quality fer each of the multiple different encoded versions using an objective quality evaluation method;
• selecting the resolution and target bitrate of one of the multiple different encoded versions as a chosen resolution and bitrate combination for at least a portion of an alternative stream from a plurality of alternative streams based on the evaluations of the multiple different encoded versions;
• and
• writing the at least a portion of the alternative stream having the chosen resolution and bitrate combination to a video container file.

A method for encoding source content as a plurality of alternative video streams and adaptively streaming the plurality of alternative video streams, each having a bitrate, the method comprising:

• identifying source video content;
• identifying a plurality of resolutions for encoding of video content;
• and
• for each particular resolution of the plurality of resolutions:
• encoding at least a portion of the source video content multiple times to produce multiple different encoded versions, each encoded version using a combination of the particular resolution with a different target bitrate from a plurality of different target bitrates;
• evaluating objective quality for each of the multiple different encoded versions by combining a plurality of different methods of evaluating video data encoded at the target bitrate, where the plurality of different methods of evaluating video data include least one objective quality evaluation method;
• selecting, using an objective quality criterion based upon the evaluations of objective quality of the multiple different encoding versions, the resolution and target bitrate of one of the multiple different encoded versions as a chosen resolution and bitrate combination for at least a portion of an alternative stream from a plurality of alternative streams;
• and
• writing the at least a portion of the alternative stream having the chosen resolution and bitrate combination to a video container file.