Websites using Zencoder

Okay, let s break down Zencoder, covering its overview, revenue (or estimates), alternatives, pricing, and customer care details.

What is Zencoder?

Zencoder was a cloud-based video encoding and transcoding service. It allowed users to upload video files in various formats and then convert (transcode) them into different formats and resolutions optimized for different devices and platforms (e.g., web browsers, mobile devices, TVs). It also offered features like watermarking, thumbnail generation, and DRM integration. Zencoder was known for its ease of use, robust API, and high-quality output.

Key Features and Functionality:

• Video Transcoding: Converting video files from one format to another, optimizing for different devices and bandwidths.
• Format Support: Support for a wide range of input and output formats.
• Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: Creating multiple versions of a video at different bitrates for smooth playback across varying internet connection speeds.
• Watermarking: Adding watermarks to videos for branding or copyright protection.
• Thumbnail Generation: Automatically creating thumbnail images from videos.
• API Integration: A comprehensive API for integrating Zencoder into existing workflows and applications.
• Cloud-Based: No need for on-premise hardware or software.
• DRM (Digital Rights Management) Integration: Protecting video content from unauthorized access.

Acquisition by Brightcove:

• Importantly, Zencoder was acquired by Brightcove in 2012. Since then, it has been deeply integrated into the Brightcove video platform. While the Zencoder brand still exists, it s now primarily offered as part of Brightcove s larger suite of services.

Revenue (or Estimates):

• Difficult to Isolate: Because Zencoder is now integrated into Brightcove, it s impossible to get a precise, stand-alone revenue figure for Zencoder.
• Brightcove s Revenue: You can look at Brightcove s overall revenue to get a sense of the scale of the business. Brightcove is a publicly traded company (BCOV), and its financial reports are available to the public. Their annual revenue is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. A portion of that will be attributable to the underlying technology that originated in Zencoder.

Alternatives to Zencoder (Focus on Video Transcoding Services):

These are alternatives to the original functionality of Zencoder (video encoding and transcoding in the cloud). Keep in mind that many of these services also offer broader video platform features:

• Encoding.com: A popular cloud-based video encoding platform.
• Amazon Elastic Transcoder: Amazon s offering for cloud-based video transcoding, tightly integrated with AWS services.
• Google Cloud Transcoder API: Similar to Amazon, Google s offering within the Google Cloud Platform.
• Bitmovin: Offers encoding, player, and analytics solutions.
• Telestream Cloud: Cloud-based media processing services, including transcoding.
• FFmpeg: An open-source, command-line tool that is a powerful alternative to commercial transcoding solutions. Requires more technical expertise to set up and use. While not a direct replacement, it s the underlying engine of many commercial services.
• Handbrake: Another open source and free video transcoder, good for desktop use.
• Mux: A developer-first video platform offering encoding, streaming, and analytics.
• Wowza Streaming Cloud: A cloud-based streaming platform that includes transcoding capabilities.
• Vimeo: The platform offers video hosting, collaboration, and transcoding services.

Pricing:

• Brightcove Pricing: Since Zencoder is now part of Brightcove, you ll need to inquire directly with Brightcove for pricing information. Brightcove typically offers various pricing plans based on usage, features, and support levels. Their pricing is not usually publicly available.
• Alternatives Pricing: The alternatives listed above have a wide variety of pricing models. Some use pay-as-you-go pricing based on minutes of video transcoded or storage used. Others offer subscription-based plans with monthly or annual fees. You ll need to research each alternative individually to understand its pricing structure.

Customer Care Details:

• Brightcove Support: As Zencoder is integrated into Brightcove, customer support is provided through Brightcove s channels. This typically includes:
  • Documentation: Extensive online documentation, tutorials, and FAQs.
  • Support Portal: A web-based portal for submitting support requests.
  • Email Support: Direct email support for technical issues.
  • Phone Support: Phone support may be available, depending on the Brightcove plan.
  • Professional Services: Brightcove may also offer professional services for more complex integrations or custom development.
• Contacting Brightcove: You can find contact information for Brightcove on their website (brightcove.com). Look for Contact Us or Support links.

In summary: Zencoder was a leading cloud-based video transcoding service that is now part of Brightcove. It is hard to get detailed pricing information or customer care details separate from Brightcove. There are many alternatives that are offered by companies such as Encoding.com, Amazon and Google.