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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