# Configure encoding

You can modify the encoding settings for a channel. The encoding settings let you fine tune your channel recording or live stream. You can select a specific frame size, bitrate, audio or video codec, and more.

Channel encoding settings may be automatically overwritten when using the Pearl Nexus with a Content Management System.

### Codecs and file format compatibility

Pearl Nexus supports the following codecs:

**Table 33 Supported video codecs **

| **Value** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| H.264 | H.264 provides high quality video while using low bandwidth. This is the default and preferred codec for the Pearl Nexus. |
| Motion JPEG | This codec is suitable for streaming and recording video, however you get lower quality images and it requires a large amount of bandwidth. Motion JPEG does not support audio. |

**Table 34 Supported audio codecs and bitrate guidance**

| **Value** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| AAC | AAC is comparable to MP3 and may even provide better sound quality at a similar sample bitrate. Supported sampling bitrate values are: 16, 22, 44 and 48K kHz.   Setting the channel bitrate to match the audio source's bitrate provides the best sound quality and avoids audio resampling. Most digital signals (HDMI or SDI sources) use 48 kHz. Most digital signals (HDMI or SDI sources) use 48 kHz audio. For analog signals, 44 kHz provides a good quality audio sample. The maximum bitrate for mono encoding of a 44 kHz signal is 264 kbps. For stereo, 320 kbps is supported. Note that lower bitrates (e.g. 32 kbps) with a 44 kHz signal may result in distorted audio. |
| MP3 | MP3 provides a common audio format for audio storage. Supported sampling bitrate values are: 22 kHz, 44 kHz and 48 kHz. Setting the channel bitrate to match the audio source's bitrate provides the best sound quality and avoids audio resampling. Most digital signals (HDMI or SDI sources) use 48 kHz. For analog signals, 44 kHz provides a good quality audio sample. Web browsers that use Flash (FLV) do not support 48 kHz MP3 audio. When selecting this encoding, you must use a web browser that supports HTML5 or a media player to preview your channel. |
| PCM | Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is a standard for digital audio in computer and other devices such as, digital telephone systems.   Setting the level to match the audio source's level provides the best sound quality and avoids audio resampling. Most digital signals (HDMI or SDI sources) use 48 kHz audio. For analog signals, 44 kHz provides a good quality audio sample. |

**Format compatibility**

Not all streaming and recording protocols support all combinations of video and audio codecs. The following table lists any video/audio codec compatibility considerations for the supported streaming formats on Pearl Nexus.

**Table 35 Video/audio codecs and formats for streaming**

| **Video Codec selected** | **Audio Codec selected** | **RTSP** | **FLV** | **MPEG-TS ** | **MJPEG** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| H.264 | No audio codec | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |  |
|  | PCM | ✔ | ✔ |  |  |
|  | MP3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |  |
|  | AAC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |  |
| MJPEG (Pearl Nexus) | No audio codec |  |  |  | ✔ |

The following table displays the compatibility between the video/audio codecs and the supported recording formats.

**Table 36 Video/audio codecs and formats for recording**

| **Video Codec selected** | **Audio Codec selected** | **MP4 and MP4-Fragmented** | **AVI** | **MOV** | **MPEG-TS** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| H.264 | No audio codec | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| H.264 | MP3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| H.264 | AAC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| MJPEG (Pearl Nexus) | No audio codec | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |

> product: pearl-nexus · topic: audio · source: pearl-nexus-userguide.md · updated: Oct 13, 2026