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While many viewers remain content with their 1080p and 1440p monitors, 4K screens grow more ubiquitous by the minute. Especially in the realm of movies and television, “high-def” has long been the new baseline standard, with many viewers preferring 4K ultra-high definition wherever possible.

This poses some challenges in the streaming era; bandwidth and data is costly, and maintaining 4K UHD image quality over miles of cable can be tricky as well. If you’ve ever noticed an especially low-quality image while streaming to your television or watching videos online, there’s a good chance it was a problem with the source’s encoding.

If you’re looking to capitalize on the growing popularity of 4K streaming, you’ll want to make certain you invest in an encoder that suits your particular needs — and the expectations of your target audience.

Understanding 4K Streaming Encoders

Storing and transmitting large video files — with high resolutions and high-fidelity audio — is accomplished through an encoder’s use of complex compression algorithms (or “codecs”). When preparing a film, TV show, or other video for publication, you have to keep in mind what file formats and codecs a given platform (or disc format) requires.

Video encoding, sometimes called transcoding, is the process by which your video files are converted for quicker, more efficient distribution. At the other end of the signal chain, where the audience views your content, this compressed data is reinterpreted and prepared for viewing by a decoder.

Key Features to Consider

A more efficient algorithm can compress and transmit more information across a network faster, which means you’ll want to keep an eye out for modern codecs like H.265 (HEVC) for the sake of the final image and the needs of your audience. This is measured by “bitrate,” which can usually be specified when creating or converting video files.

When optimizing performance with a specific bitrate (or, even better, an adaptive bitrate), you’ll also want to consider latency for the sake of the end user. Low-latency encoders make for a faster, more responsive experience when consumers browse a digital library or hit play on a selection. Finally, make sure the encoder you’re considering supports the streaming protocols you need for distribution (e.g., RTMP, HLS, or DASH).

Types of Encoders

A video encoder is anything that takes a source file and squeezes it down to a more manageable size using a codec, or algorithm, but encoders can take a couple of different forms. Depending on your needs, both hardware encoders and software encoders may be able to handle your project, but each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

Hardware-based encoders deliver peerless performance and reliability, as you might’ve guessed, but typically at a higher price point. Software-based solutions, meanwhile, offer great flexibility at a lower cost — but may also require more processing power from your existing PC setup.

Evaluating Performance and Quality

When making the leap to a 4K streaming encoder, you should keep in mind the various indicators of performance and quality beyond just resolution. For some applications, like sports broadcasts or competitive video games, frame rate is critical, from the standard 30 or 60 frames per second to 120 fps and so on.

Most feature films are shot at 24 frames per second, but plenty of gamers are watching content on screens with refresh rates upwards of 144 Hz. And, as any AV enthusiast will certainly tell you, color depth, contrast, and visual clarity are of the utmost importance when shopping for a new television or monitor, so HDR support is also worth considering.

Budget and Cost Considerations

Choosing between a hardware-based encoder and a software-based solution may come down to your short-term budget. If you’re facing some immediate budgetary constraints, making an expensive long-term investment may be less appealing than a software license or subscription service. A good hardware encoder can easily run you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Many software-based encoders, however, are available at a very affordable price point. (Movavi offers its Video Converter and Movavi Video Editor software in a convenient bundle for about $140.) If you’re trying to get up and running quickly, with small screens as your primary target, software encoding is worth considering. But something a bit pricier ought to deliver long-term quality.

Recommended Reading: Guide to Live Streaming Equipment: Essential Gear for High-Quality Broadcasts

Integration and Compatibility

Since any distribution platform will have certain specifications in place — a recommended bitrate, a certain codec, supported file formats — it’s vital that you invest in an encoder that works well for your end goal. Every part of your AV setup needs to work in harmony, without compromising your workflow, to deliver the quality of content you want in an efficient manner.

Your PC and encoder will obviously have to play nice, first of all, but consider your cameras’ output formats, too. Are you recording and exporting your footage in a file type compatible with your encoder? If not, you may have chosen the wrong encoder for your preferred camera. If you’ve already invested in a PC, camera, or editing software you love, you won’t want to invest in a whole new workstation just because an incompatible encoder has good reviews, for example.

Generally speaking, most hardware is made to ensure wide compatibility across different ecosystems and platforms, but that may be limited in cases where you’re buying something that’s a few years old. When it comes to hardware, at least, newer is usually best.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

If future-proofing is a big concern when you’re ready to invest, support for eventual 8K output is something to look for. That said, 8K streaming is something of a rarity, and far from most viewers’ minds in 2025. Right now, accurate image encoding is the name of the game. Users want a low-latency browsing and viewing experience, and they want footage to take advantage of the screens they have access to right now (i.e., 1080p, 1440p, or 4K UHD).

When looking at codecs and file formats, you might do a little research about the age of a particular algorithm: When did it first appear? Has it already been widely adopted? And when was it last updated? If you want to be on the safe side, the H.264, AV1, AVC, and HEVC (H.265) codecs should serve you well in the long term — so long as the one you choose fits the rest of your larger AV setup.

User Experience and Support

Of course, when adopting any new piece of software or hardware, your level of expertise and experience comes into play. A good workflow requires a certain ease of setup, a user-friendly interface, and a skill curve you’re comfortable with. If you’re reading reviews of a particular 4K streaming encoder (or decoder), pay careful attention to the reviewer’s level of expertise, and make sure they’re not recommending something that’ll overwhelm you with complexity. If you’re new to video production or broadcasting, you may have better luck with fewer moving parts. There’s nothing wrong with a simple plug-and-play solution if that’s what your project requires.

If you need some degree of complexity and flexibility, however, a solid 4K encoder will likely have a customer-support team to back it up. If you need technical assistance in a pinch, you’ll find a number of great options, from troubleshooting steps for your specific model to email forms and phone lines. There are some sites that even offer convenient access to product manuals and video guides. Watching supporting videos for a given model should also give you an idea of how complex its user interface is.

The Takeaway

As with any serious investment, buying the right solution for 4K UHD video encoding can be intimidating. There are a lot of streaming protocols, compression algorithms, and file formats involved in 4K video distribution, and you need the encoder that suits your particular PC setup, platforms, workflow, camera output, and so forth. That said, as long as you do your research and find out what’s worked well for similar applications, you’ll be able to buy with confidence.

The future of video production, distribution, and TV screens is full of surprises. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some informed decisions today to ensure a degree of future-proofing for your enterprise. Do your best to align your purchasing decisions with both your current needs and future creative goals, and you’ll be on the path to success.

Main photo credit: Getty Images/PrathanChorruangsak