What is bitrate?

Here's information about bitrate, formatted in Markdown with linked terms:

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Bitrate is the amount of data used per unit of time to encode audio or video. It is usually measured in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). A higher bitrate generally equates to better quality, but also results in larger file sizes.

• Definition: Bitrate is fundamentally the number of bits that are processed over a specific amount of time. This reflects the amount of data being transmitted in that period.

• Impact on Quality: Generally, a higher bitrate implies higher audio or video quality. This is because more data is available to represent the details and nuances of the content. However, there's a point of diminishing returns; increasing the bitrate beyond a certain threshold may not result in a noticeable quality improvement.

• File Size: Higher bitrates invariably lead to larger file sizes. For example, a video encoded at 10 Mbps will be significantly larger than the same video encoded at 2 Mbps. This is an important consideration for storage and bandwidth limitations.

• Variable Bitrate (VBR) vs. Constant Bitrate (CBR): There are different encoding methods. VBR encoding adjusts the bitrate based on the complexity of the content. While CBR maintains a consistent bitrate throughout the file. VBR is often preferred as it can provide better quality for a given file size.

• Audio Bitrate: In audio, the bitrate determines the fidelity of the sound. Common audio bitrates include 128 kbps, 192 kbps, and 320 kbps for MP3 files.

• Video Bitrate: In video, the bitrate influences the clarity, detail, and smoothness of motion. Common video bitrates vary widely depending on the resolution and frame rate.