Server-based encoding of adjustable frame rate content

A method comprising:

• detecting a reduction in a frame rate of rendered video frames;
• responsive to detecting said reduction:
• encoding the rendered video frames and one or more skip frames into an encoded bitstream while operating in a first operating mode;
• encoding only the rendered video frames, without any skip frames, into the encoded bitstream while operating in a second operating mode;
• and conveying the encoded bitstream to a decoder.

An apparatus comprising:

• a pre-encoding analysis unit configured to detect repeated frames in a sequence of frames;
• and
• an encoder coupled to the pre-encoding analysis unit;
• wherein the encoder is configured to:
• receive an indication from the pre-encoding analysis unit that a frame rate of rendered video frames has been reduced;
• and
• responsive to receiving said indication:
• encode the rendered video frames and one or more skip frames into an encoded bitstream while operating in a first operating mode;
• encode only the rendered video frames, without any skip frames, into the encoded bitstream while operating in a second operating mode;
• and
• convey the encoded bitstream to a decoder.