When you upload media files such as images or videos, the media files must be converted into a format that can be displayed in Mixpo ads. The process of converting media files into a compatible format is called transcoding.

You can transcode and upload media files in the following ways:

• Upload media files directly. The Mixpo Platform transcodes your media files. You upload media files directly when you add an image or widget overlay to a creative, and when you upload a video while creating an expanding In-Banner Video creative or an In-Stream Video creative. For steps, see the following:
  • Adding a text overlay to a creative
  • Adding an image overlay to a creative
  • Adding interactive widgets to a creative
  • Assembling a creative from a template
  • Assembling a creative from scratch
• Transcode media files on your computer, then upload them to the Mixpo Platform (Windows computers only). Transcoding files on your computer is usually faster, and for videos, gives you greater control if you want to trim content from the beginning or end of a video (see Trimming a video file). For steps, see the following:
  • Transcoding an image file on your computer
  • Transcoding a video file on your computer
  • Troubleshooting issues with transcoding videos on your computer

Transcoding an image file on your computer

Follow the steps below to transcode an image file on your computer.

Before you start

• Create an In-Banner Video creative, an In-Stream Video creative, or a Rich Media creative. For steps, see Assembling a creative from a template or Assembling a creative from scratch.
• Prepare the image that you want to display. To make sure that the live ad is optimized for mobile devices, the image should be at least 44 × 44 pixels, so that it is big enough for viewers to tap. For information about the types of images that you can upload, see Supported file formats.
• You must use a Windows computer that meets the web browser requirements in System requirements for using Mixpo.

To transcode an image file on your computer

1. Navigate to the Division, Account, and Campaign of the creative.
2. Click the Campaign Management tab, then click the Creatives tab.
3. Click Edit for the creative. The Mixpo Studio opens.
4. Select the canvas tab that you want to add the image to.
5. Click the Overlays tab, then click Computer.
   Note: If an updated version of the Mixpo Media Transcoder browser extension is available, you are prompted to update it.
6. Select the image that you want to import, then click Open.
7. In Mixpo Studio, select the image that you just imported. Adjust the image appearance, transitions, and other effects. For steps, see Adding an image overlay to a creative.
8. Click Save.

Transcoding a video file on your computer

Follow the steps below to transcode a video file on your computer.

Before you start

• Create an expanding In-Banner Video creative, a non-expanding In-Banner Video creative with a custom StartFrame, or an In-Stream Video creative. For steps, see Assembling a creative from a template or Assembling a creative from scratch.
• Prepare the video that you want to display. For information about the types of videos that you can upload, see Supported file formats.
• You must use a Windows computer that meets the web browser requirements in System requirements for using Mixpo.

To transcode a video file on your computer

1. Navigate to the Division, Account, and Campaign of the creative.
2. Click the Campaign Management tab, then click the Creatives tab.
3. Click Edit for the creative. The Mixpo Studio opens.
4. Click the Timeline Canvas tab.
5. Click the Video tab, then click Computer.
   Note: If an updated version of the Mixpo Media Transcoder browser extension is available, you are prompted to update it.
6. Select the video that you want to import.
7. If you are uploading a TV video file in interlaced format, click Advanced Video Options. In the Video Transcoding area, select Force video deinterlacing, then click OK.
8. Depending on whether you want to trim content from the beginning or end of the video, select or clear the Edit start and end time of video clip check box.
9. Click Open.
10. If you are trimming content from the video, drag the left and right handles to select where the video starts and ends. Click the Play button to preview the trimmed video. When you are satisfied, click Extract Clip.
11. On the visual timeline at the bottom of the Timeline Canvas tab, select the video that you just imported. Adjust the video player appearance, transitions, and other effects. For steps, see Assembling a creative from scratch.
12. Click Save.

Troubleshooting issues with transcoding videos on your computer

If you have difficulty transcoding a video on your computer, confirm the following:

• Make sure that your computer has the appropriate codec (a program that encodes and decodes video files) for the file type that you want to upload.
• Make sure that your file is a supported file format, and is smaller than the maximum size limit. For requirements, see Supported file formats.
  Note: It may take a long time to upload a large file.
• If you transcode a QuickTime (.mov) file and see an error message that Mixpo cannot detect the audio sample rate, convert the file to .avi format and transcode the file again.

Tip: You can always upload media files directly, and allow the Mixpo Platform to transcode your media files. You upload media files directly when you add an image or widget overlay to a creative, and when you upload a video while creating an expanding In-Banner Video creative or an In-Stream Video creative.