End of Life of legacy encoding profiles (720p30 to 1080p60 h.264)
Verizon Media Platform (VMP) is performing replacement profile migrations, which will result in the end of life (EOL) of a number of legacy encoding profiles (720p30 to 1080p60 h.264). Replacement profile migrations will be completed in phases beginning in Phase 1 with the 720p30 default encoding profile for Live and VoD. For Phase 1, all affected customers will be migrated to an updated 720p30 profile, which many customers have been using for the last several years. This replacement profile will become the default 720p30 profile in production. Please read the details below carefully.
What is new with the replacement 720p30 Profile? * B-frames have been added to the top rendition to enhance video quality
- Top rendition bitrate increased slightly
- Baseline Profile renditions are no longer supported and replaced with Main Profile
- Low-resolution baseline renditions have been removed for encoding efficiency
If you have any concerns with legacy player interoperability with B-frames, and with regard to the timelines set forth below, we recommend testing the replacement profile as soon as possible. We can also remove the B-frames upon request.
Timelines
Your legacy 720p30 profiles will be migrated automatically on July 15, 2021. For the profile to be active a Slicer restart is required. On July 30, 2021, if you have not restarted your slicers, we will automatically restart all Slicers to update to the new profile for all accounts that remain on the legacy 720p30 profile.
What happens after July 30, 2021?
The legacy default 720p30 profile will no longer be available for new asset encodes. However, all existing VoD assets encoded with the legacy 720p30 profile will still be able to playback content.
When is the next expected EOL profile migration?
Following the 720p30 update, we will be performing the Phase 2 migration to address the remaining 720p30 to 1080p60 h.264 encoding profiles that include Baseline Profile renditions. Please reach out to VMP support to take the necessary steps to update all your EOL profiles as soon as possible.
What action do I need to take?
It is important that you update your legacy 720p30 profiles by no later than July 14, 2021 by contacting Verizon support or your Account Manager. A minimum slicer version Slicer Release 18042500 (May 2018 release) is required to support B-frame profiles. Also, to ensure a smooth transition, please re-encode your custom slates with the new profile.
Will there be any impact to my traffic?
We do not expect any impact to your traffic if you timely update your profiles. However, if you do not do so, it is possible that you may experience Missing Content Slate (MCS) when we are performing the forced Slicer restart on July 30, 2021. To avoid this potential interruption, you are encouraged to initiate the profile update process as soon as possible by contacting Verizon Media support or your Account Manager.
Will I lose capabilities after migrating to the new replacement encoding profile?
No, the added B-frames will enhance video quality and the decrease in the number of renditions will increase encoding efficiencies and lower chances of MCS for live streams.
Do I need to change or update my sales contract?
No.
What are my next steps?
Please reach out to Verizon Media Platform Support or your Account Manager to update legacy profiles.
Where do I learn more about the encoding profile migration process?
If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager or email us at [email protected]. You may also contact our Network Operations Center (NOC) at +1 (877) 334-3236.
Sincerely,
Verizon Media Platform Support Team