---
title: Comparison of Transcoders: Video Codec and Color Support
slug: zixi-broadcaster-v18/comparison-of-transcoders-video-codec-and-color-support
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-01-26T20:27:55.360Z
---

Before deciding on a transcoder, you should consider their video codec and color support to see which one best suits your needs. Below is a comparison of the different options. 

## NVIDIA Hardware Encoder Codec and Color Support

|                    | ***Format*** | ***Chroma Subsampling*** | ***Color Depth*** |
| ------------------ | ------------ | ------------------------ | ----------------- |
| ***Video Decode*** | MPEG-2       | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit             |
|                    | H.264/AVC    | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit             |
|                    | H.265/HEVC   | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit, 10-bit     |
| ***Video Encode*** | H.264/AVC    | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit             |
|                    | H.265/HEVC   | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit, 10-bit\*   |

*\*Input stream must be 10-bit*

## Software Encoder Codec and Color Support

|                    | ***Format*** | ***Chroma Subsampling*** | ***Color Depth*** |
| ------------------ | ------------ | ------------------------ | ----------------- |
| ***Video Decode*** | MPEG-2       | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit             |
|                    | H.264/AVC    | 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4      | 8-bit, 10-bit     |
|                    | H.265/HEVC   | 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4      | 8-bit, 10-bit     |
| ***Video Encode*** | MPEG-2       | 4:2:0                    | 8-bit             |
|                    | H.264/AVC    | 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4      | 8-bit, 10-bit\*   |

*\* Input stream must be 10-bit*

## NDI Software Library Codec and Color Support

|                    | ***Format*** | ***Chroma Subsampling*** | ***Color Depth*** |
| ------------------ | ------------ | ------------------------ | ----------------- |
| ***Video Decode*** | NDI\*        | 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4      | 8-bit, 10-bit     |
| ***Video Encode*** | NDI\*        | 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4      | 8-bit, 10-bit\*\* |

\**NDI v original format, not NDI | HX*