How can I calculate how much transcoding I need?

The total size of all transcoded renditions is about three times larger than your uploaded original file. The reason is simply that our Premium Transcoding Service creates up to twelve renditions from each video upload, in order to ensure instant maximum device compatibility for multi-platform / OTT publishing. This process turns your original file into up to twelve versions of your file in different bitrates and video formats in order to satisfy all major device platforms, browsers and app stores.

Here is a calculation example: 

Let's say you upload 8 videos per month with an average video file size of 2GB, a projection for estimated transcoding use could be calculated as follows:

8 Videos x 2GB x 3 Transcoding Factor = 48GB/month

The actual transcoding used may vary depending on the uploaded file size and resolution. 

How can you reduce transcoding usage? Simply by doing what we do during the transcoding process: optimizing your video file before you upload it, by simply encoding/exporting it from your editing suite in the most efficient way. To learn more about optimizing video export settings, review tutorials and how-to videos online, read through your editing suite’s manual on this topic, or browse the Lightcast Support Center for supporting articles and links, e.g. Save on transcoding and storage #2