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      Video formats for Campaigns

      This article includes the best video-creation practices for campaigns.

      The best resolution and codec to use for playing videos on a smartphone will depend on various factors, such as the device specifications, operating system, network connectivity, and the video content itself.

      There are some general guidelines that you can follow to optimize the playback experience:

      Video Formats:

      SmartCircle uses the native Android video player or webview video player to reproduce content. Some video creation software may not encode videos in the format that Android or iOS recognizes and it may show a black or white screen instead of the video itself.

      Android

      Codec: Use H.264 codec for video playback as it is widely supported by Android devices.

      Resolution: The resolution should be optimized based on the device's screen size and the video's aspect ratio. Typically, a resolution of 720p or 1080p works well for most devices.

      Below you will find the most standard resolutions. It is best to start from the device’s resolution and if issues arise try a lower one.

      • Full HD (1080p) - Large file size and full high quality (1920 x 1080).
      • HD (720p) - Medium file size and moderate quality (1280 x 720).
      • Standard (480p) - Smallest file size and lowest quality (852 x 480).
      fps: The optimal frame rate for WebView in Android to play videos depends on various factors, such as the device's hardware capabilities, the video resolution, and the content of the video itself. In general, a frame rate of 30 fps is considered a good balance between smoothness and performance for most devices and video content.

      Bitrate: The video bitrate should be optimized based on the network speed and the device's processing capabilities. A bitrate of 2-3 Mbps is typically suitable for most devices.

      File size: To ensure faster loading times and smoother playback, the file size should be compressed without compromising on the video quality.

      Overall, the key is to balance video quality with file size and playback performance to provide the best experience for the end-user.

      iOS

      Codec: On iOS, H.264 codec is also widely supported. However, newer devices also support the High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) codec, which can provide higher-quality video at a lower bitrate than H.264.

      Resolution: Like Android, the resolution should be optimized based on the device's screen size and the video's aspect ratio. A resolution of 720p or 1080p works well for most devices.

      Bitrate: The video bitrate should also be optimized based on the network speed and the device's processing capabilities. A bitrate of 2-3 Mbps is typically suitable for most devices.

      File size: To ensure faster loading times and smoother playback, the file size should be compressed without compromising on the video quality.

      Video player: On iOS, it is recommended to use the native video player instead of WebView for better performance and features.

      Overall, optimizing video playback on iOS WebView involves similar considerations as on Android, but the native video player provides more control and performance benefits than WebView.

      Aspect ratios that are typically used:

      • 19:9 ratio - 1080 x 2400 - Most devices use this size
      • 23.1:9 ratio - 1762 x 2082 pixels- For Samsung Galaxy Z Fold
      • 20:9 ratio - 1440 x 3200 - For Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
      • 19.5:9 ratio - 1440 x 3040 - For iPhone 13 PROMAX

      The images below show the visual difference between the different aspect ratios before mentioned.
      Video-formats

      If it is not possible to create the same video in different dimensions. We recommend creating a video in the 19:9 ratio - 1080 x 2400 format following the below specifications.

      Using one video for all the screens: 

      To ensure that your video content is properly displayed in all your devices, please make sure that:


      1. The final format is 1080 x 2400
      2. The main content is located in the middle of the video. Preferably within the white borders.
      3. The content should NOT go beyond the dotted lines besides the background.
      4. The background of the video should be a solid color that does not change (or at least that doesn’t change much).
      5. If necessary, download this image and use it as reference.
      		 Video-frame

      If you need further assistance, please contact your SmartCircle representative.