To best understand what an 'encoding failure' is, we should quickly cover what encoding is.
Encoding is the process that happens between when you upload your game and when we log your video. Basically, it is when our servers read all the raw data (the video you just uploaded) and process and convert it ("encode it") into a user-friendly format that can be played or edited in the VidSwap video editor.
For more information on encoding and how that relates to (and differs from) uploading, please see our help article on the subject here.
OKAY, COOL. BUT WHAT IS AN 'ENCODING FAILURE'?
Simple enough: an encoding failure is what happens when there is an error with the encoding process. This is most often due to one of two things: a clip with a video or audio corruption, or an uploaded clip which was of a different resolution from the other clips in that upload batch.
HOW DO YOU CHECK FOR MISMATCHED RESOLUTIONS?
You can check the resolutions of clips on a Mac by right-clicking on the clip(s), choosing 'Get Info', and looking at the 'Dimensions'. We accept any resolutions/dimensions, but they all need to match.
In Windows, you check the 'Properties' of the clips (by right clicking on them), then look under the 'Details' tab for the 'frame width' and 'frame height', making sure all the resolutions are the same. We accept any resolutions/dimensions, but they all need to match.
HOW DO YOU CHECK FOR CORRUPTED VIDEO?
To check for video corruption, you need to make sure your video plays straight through without pausing, skipping, or freezing. You can, of course, watch the match straight through, or this can be done quickly by playing the clips and skipping forwards through them at multiple various points in the clips, making sure they play smoothly, all the way from beginning to end.
HOW DO YOU CHECK FOR CORRUPTED AUDIO?
It's very tricky to check for corrupted audio. If everything else checks out (resolutions, video corruptions) and you think you may be dealing with an audio corruption, the best thing to do is to leave the 'Remove Audio' checkbox checked in your Upload Video Game Info box:
HOW DO YOU FIX THESE THINGS?
If a clip is corrupted, you would need to get another copy of that clip to upload (if possible). We cannot fix a corrupted video clip, but there is a chance you can recover the footage if the corruption is minor. Information on how can be found here.
If you have clips with mismatched resolutions, you would need to convert your clips to the same resolution (and can do so via the program 'Handbrake' - a free download here: https://handbrake.fr/ )
For a walkthrough on how to use Handbrake to convert or re-encode your files, please see this article here.
Once you make sure your clips are uncorrupted and are all the same resolution, you can attempt to re-upload your game into that same folder/playlist.
IS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?
Without question. If you would like help with any part of this, please contact VidSwap Support.