Encoder Profile: Main or High for VOD Streaming?

For streaming pre-encoded 480p/720p/1080p videos, is it better to use main or high profile? AFAIK, high gives better compression for smaller file size but harder to decode which leads to more buffering. I don't know how compatible are most user devices today for high profile.

I'm thinking baseline for 480p, main for 720p, main for 1080p, high only for 4k (in the future), but i also see many sites use high profile and just keep the level at 3-3.1.

use high profile for all resolutions if targeting modern devices, as it offers better compression and is widely supported

dyxeq9 said:

For streaming pre-encoded 480p/720p/1080p videos, is it better to use main or high profile? AFAIK, high gives better compression for smaller file size but harder to decode which leads to more buffering. I don't know how compatible are most user devices today for high profile.

I'm thinking baseline for 480p, main for 720p, main for 1080p, high only for 4k (in the future), but i also see many sites use high profile and just keep the level at 3-3.1.

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your thinking is pretty solid. For 480p baseline or main is usually enough and keeps things simple for older devices. Main profile at 720p and 1080p is a good balance most modern devices handle it well without too much buffering.
High profile does give better compression, but like you said, it can be tougher on older or low-end devices, which could cause buffering issues. For 4k, high profile makes sense because the quality gain matters more there.
Keeping high profile but limiting the level to 3-3.1 is a smart way some sites do it to improve compression but keep compatibility.
At the end of the day, it depends on your audience’s devices. If you have a lot of mobile or older viewers, stick to main profile for 720p/1080p. If mostly newer devices, high profile can save bandwidth.