In PIXERA, you can quickly convert your content files to different formats using the built-in Content Transcoding tool. If, for example, a file is not suitable for playback because it requires too much performance, it can be easily converted directly into another file format without ever leaving the PIXERA GUI. Furthermore, this tool also allows you to change the resolution and to crop away parts.

You can convert files into the following formats:

• VP9
• NotchLC
• HAP
• HAP Alpha
• HAP Q
• PNG / TIFF / DPX

As an example, we will show you how to convert content files into the NotchLC video codec in this guide, but all formats in the list above can be created in much the same way. You can also find a video tutorial at the bottom of this page.

Notes on NotchLC Encoding

Current tests indicate that PIXERA is faster than Adobe Media Encoder at generating NotchLC files, so rest assured, your live production environments can expect a quick and flexible turnaround for your content needs.

The NotchLC specification is flexible with regard to color standards. Many systems and toolsets don't adhere to the NotchLC standard, and as a result, an unofficial convention developed in which NotchLC utilizes the sRGB color space.

The convention is present in a video-decoding component used in PIXERA, especially for use within Preview. PIXERA's encoder is standard-conforming and produces non-sRGB files if the source is not sRGB.
 

Content Transcoding Workflows

There are three ways to transcode your content.

Method 1: Transcoding Window/Folder

The most important method for transcoding your content is to navigate to the Content Transcoding Window, which is the tab to the right of the Preview tab in the center workspace, once you've selected the Compositing tab. Here you have the most configuration options for your desired output format.

To use the content transcoding window, first add content to be transcoded to the Content Transcoding folder, located under the Resources tab. You can move content from your Media folder there, or drag and drop directly from your file explorer. Make sure that the piece of content is selected in the Resources tab, which will set the Path field in the Content Transcoding Window to the right. From there, you can set up the following settings per content piece:

First, there are a variety of presets to choose from: In this example, we will use the NotchLC (Optimall) preset. Once a preset is selected, the stored settings will be selected in the fields below. You can modify them and create a new Preset with the New Preset button, or overwrite the currently selected Preset with the Save Preset button.

For NotchLC, there is a drop-down menu with other standard Notch options for quality: Best, Optimal, Excellent, Very Good, and Good, as well as a checkbox for including an Alpha Channel. Below the quality options, you can define whether the content you're transcoding should be cropped or resized by selecting an option in the Transformation drop-down.

Finally, make sure to define where the resource should be stored by clicking on the File Destination field, choosing the name and the right location in the explorer window that opens. 

Finally, you can click on the Start Transcoding button below. The transcoding process will be shown on the right.

You can then find the file at the location you defined earlier. To use it in your composition, import it into your Media folder.

Method 2: Right-Click Transcoding Menu

The second method to transcode content is available through the right-click context menu on a resource. Look for Transcode in this menu, and hover over it to see all the presets at your disposal. Any presets you added through the Content Transcoding Window will be available here, and the modifications you saved to the built-in presets also affect the options you are given here.

You can also perform this action on an entire folder of resources through the right-click context menu of that folder.

Once you select a preset, the transcoding process will automatically appear in the Transcoding Menu. The transcoded files are saved directly next to the original file on disk with a suffix for the chosen preset. 

You don't have to re-import the transcoded file into PIXERA, though; the transcoded version will be added and selected directly in the file versions of the original source file, visible through the inspector. You'll also see the version through the appended Preset name in the Resources window. Read more about file versions in File Versioning.

Method 3: Batch Transcoding

If you have a folder of source files that you'd like to batch transcode, the fastest way is to right-click on the Folder, select “Transcode”, and select your desired codec / preset. Encoding will start automatically and appear on disk next to the source files.

You can also use a Batch Transcoding folder inside the Content Transcoding folder, where files will automatically be transcoded once you move them from any other place in your Resource tab into said folder. The preset that will be used for all files transcoded from within that folder can be selected in the folder inspector. Once the transcoding completes, the transcoded file will be stored in the RX-Cache and automatically imported to the Media folder.

You can also create several batch transcoding folders with different presets selected through the Create Folder with Preset button in the Content Transcoding Window.

Video Tutorial

The following video explains Content Transcoding in short form.

Pixera 26.2 INTER 95 | 28. May 2026 | FE