Selecting an MBR Stream
If you plan to deliver your content as a stream from a server running Microsoft
Windows Media Services, encoding multiple bit rate streams provides better quality
during times of network congestion (or over a slow network connection). When you
set up an MBR stream your content is encoded at every bit rate you specify. When
a player receives an MBR stream, only the stream that is the most appropriate for
current network conditions plays. The Windows Media server and player handle the
process of selecting the appropriate stream, which is invisible to the user.
You can only use CBR encoding when creating an MBR stream.
You can encode MBR streams for both audio and video content; however, it is not
necessary to use MBR encoding for both audio and video in a single stream. For example,
you can stream audio at one bit rate and have multiple bit rates for the video portion
of the stream. Also keep in mind that encoding an MBR stream uses more processing
power. Select a range of bit rates that you think will meet the playback needs of
the audiences you are targeting.
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