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Rendering Modes

VidStitch offers two rendering modes: Preview (browser-based) and Production (cloud-based). This guide explains when to use each and how to configure render settings.

Rendering Overview

Feature Preview Mode Production Mode
Processing Your browser (WebAssembly) Cloud servers (Mux)
Speed 5-10 minutes 2-5 minutes
Quality Standard (up to 1080p) High (up to 4K)
Best For Testing, review Final output
Resource Usage Your device Cloud (none local)

Preview Mode

How It Works

Preview mode uses FFmpeg WebAssembly running directly in your browser:

  1. Video segments downloaded to browser
  2. FFmpeg.wasm processes locally
  3. Final video rendered in-browser
  4. Result available for download

Advantages

  • ✅ Quick testing iteration
  • ✅ No server queue wait
  • ✅ Lower cost (no cloud processing)
  • ✅ Good for review cycles

Limitations

  • ❌ Uses your device's resources
  • ❌ May be slow on older devices
  • ❌ Maximum 1080p resolution
  • ❌ Browser must stay open

System Requirements

For smooth Preview rendering: - 8+ GB RAM recommended - Modern CPU (last 5 years) - Stable browser (Chrome recommended) - 2+ GB free disk space

Production Mode

How It Works

Production mode uses Mux cloud video processing:

  1. Assets uploaded to Mux servers
  2. Professional encoding pipeline
  3. High-quality output generated
  4. Download link provided

Advantages

  • ✅ Highest quality output
  • ✅ Faster processing
  • ✅ Up to 4K resolution
  • ✅ No local resource usage
  • ✅ Professional encoding

Limitations

  • ❌ Uses render quota
  • ❌ Requires cloud processing credits
  • ❌ Queue during high demand

When to Use Each

Use Preview When:

  • Testing clip placements
  • Reviewing AI suggestions
  • Iterating on edits
  • Checking timing
  • Quick client preview

Use Production When:

  • Final deliverable
  • High-quality requirement
  • 4K resolution needed
  • Sharing/distribution
  • Archive-quality output

Render Settings

Resolution Options

Resolution Dimensions Use Case
720p 1280×720 Web, fast sharing
1080p 1920×1080 Standard HD
4K 3840×2160 Professional (Production only)

Audio Settings

Audio Ducking

Automatically lower main video audio when B-roll plays:

Level Effect
Off No audio change
Light 20% reduction
Medium 50% reduction
Heavy 80% reduction

💡 Tip: Medium ducking works well for most content.

Audio Fade

Smooth audio transitions at clip boundaries:

Setting Duration
Off Hard cut
Short 0.25 seconds
Medium 0.5 seconds
Long 1 second

Video Transitions

Crossfade

Smooth visual blend between clips: - Off: Hard cut - Short: 0.25 second fade - Medium: 0.5 second fade - Long: 1 second fade

Cross-dissolve

Similar to crossfade but with opacity blend: - Works best for similar scenes - Smoother perception

Render Quality Comparison

Visual Quality

Aspect Preview Production
Bitrate 8-12 Mbps 15-25 Mbps
Codec H.264 H.264 High Profile
Color 8-bit 10-bit
Compression Standard Optimized

Audio Quality

Aspect Preview Production
Codec AAC AAC-LC
Bitrate 128 kbps 256 kbps
Sample Rate 44.1 kHz 48 kHz

Render Progress

Preview Mode Stages

  1. Preparing - Loading video segments
  2. Processing - FFmpeg encoding
  3. Finalizing - Creating output file
  4. Complete - Ready for download

Production Mode Stages

  1. Uploading - Sending to cloud
  2. Queued - Waiting for processing
  3. Encoding - Cloud processing
  4. Complete - Download available

Progress Indicators

  • Percentage complete
  • Current stage name
  • Estimated time remaining
  • Any warnings or issues

Troubleshooting Renders

Preview Mode Issues

Render crashes or freezes: - Close other browser tabs - Clear browser cache - Use Chrome instead of Safari - Try smaller video segments

Very slow rendering: - Check available RAM - Close other applications - Use Production mode instead

Quality issues: - Preview is limited to 1080p - Use Production for final output

Production Mode Issues

Render stuck in queue: - High server demand - Wait or retry later - Contact support if > 30 minutes

Render failed: - Check error message - Verify source files are valid - Check storage quota

Render Quotas

Daily Limits

Account Type Daily Renders
Standard 5 renders
Pro 15 renders
Enterprise Unlimited

Quota Reset

  • Resets at midnight UTC
  • Check remaining quota in Settings
  • Preview renders don't count

Output Format

All renders produce:

  • Format: MP4
  • Codec: H.264
  • Audio: AAC
  • Container: MP4 (compatible with all players)

Best Practices

Workflow Recommendation

  1. Use Preview for all testing and iteration
  2. Make adjustments based on preview
  3. Use Production only for final output
  4. Download immediately after completion

Quality Optimization

  • Start with 1080p for web content
  • Use 4K only when truly needed
  • Match source video resolution
  • Don't upscale low-quality sources

Storage Management

  • Download renders promptly
  • Delete old renders to free space
  • Keep only final versions

Next Steps