Written by KuusoftAI

KuusoftAI is AI and can make mistakes. This document is pending review by a Real Human. Please use caution when reading this article.

What is the Video Encoder Studio? It is a batch video converter built right into OnePass: add your videos to a queue, pick a preset (or fine-tune the codec, quality, and size yourself), and re-encode them one after another — all inside your web browser, using your own computer’s power. Nothing is installed and nothing is uploaded. Use it to shrink large videos, standardize footage for your signage screens, or convert files for older playback hardware. The feature is currently in BETA.

1. Where to find it

Log in to OnePass and open your NexSigns license (click Application and choose your screen).
In the left menu, click Video Encoder Studio ^Beta (right under Video Editor Studio).

The encoder opens as a full-screen page. The Exit → button in the top bar brings you back to your NexSigns dashboard.

Browser requirements: use an up-to-date Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Encoding uses modern video technology that Firefox and Safari do not fully support yet — the page will tell you with a banner if your browser cannot encode.

2. Good to know before you start

Everything happens on your computer. Your videos are never uploaded — reading, converting, and saving all happen inside your browser. A one-minute video typically converts in a few seconds on a modern computer.
The output has no sound. Digital signage screens are almost always muted, so the encoder deliberately produces silent video in this first version. Audio support is planned.
Nothing is stored in OnePass. Finished files are saved to a folder you choose (or offered as downloads). To play a converted video on your signage screens, upload it through the Asset Studio like any other video.
Each file keeps its own settings. You can queue ten videos with ten different presets — the queue processes them one at a time, and one problem file never stops the rest.

3. A tour of the screen

Area	What it does

Area	What it does
Top bar	+ Add videos, Save to (pick the folder finished files go into), ▶ Start queue / Stop queue, the ⋯ menu (Text size), and Exit →. While encoding, an overall progress bar appears just below.
Encode queue (left)	One card per file: its details (size, resolution, frame rate, length), what it will become (codec, bitrate, size estimate), its status — Waiting, Encoding with a progress bar, Saving, Done, or Error — and buttons to download, retry, re-encode, or remove it.
Inspector (right)	Details of the selected file: everything the encoder read from it (codec, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, duration), plus its Output settings — the preset and every individual control, with a live estimated output size.

4. Quick start — convert your first video

Add videos. Click + Add videos or drag files from your computer onto the queue. Each file is inspected instantly and shows its details.
Pick a preset. Select a file and choose a preset in the inspector — the presets are curated by Kuusoft for common needs (signage screens, web sharing, older players). Apply settings to all copies your choice to every file in the queue.
Choose where to save (recommended). Click Save to in the top bar and pick a folder. Finished files are written straight into it — ideal for large videos. Without a folder, each finished file gets a Download button instead.
Start the queue. Click ▶ Start queue. Files encode one after another with a progress bar and time estimate on each; the finished card shows the before → after file size (for example “38 MB → 6 MB, 83% smaller”).

5. The output settings explained

Preset — a ready-made combination of all the settings below. Match source keeps the original size and frame rate and just re-encodes at a sensible quality. Changing any individual setting switches the preset to Custom.
Codec — H.264 plays on virtually everything and is the safe choice. H.265 makes noticeably smaller files but needs a computer with hardware support to encode (recent Chrome or Edge) — the option explains itself if your machine cannot use it.
Profile (H.264 only) — High compresses best; Main and Baseline trade efficiency for compatibility with older playback hardware. If your computer’s encoder cannot produce the chosen profile, the file is encoded as High and the card tells you.
Rate control — VBR (variable) spends bits where the picture needs them; file size varies around the target. CBR (constant) keeps a steady rate for predictable sizes and smooth playback on simple players.
Target bitrate — quality versus size, in Mbps. The estimated output size updates live as you change it.
Resolution — keep the source, scale down to a standard size (4K / 1080p / 720p / 540p — the shape is always preserved and video is never blown up), or pick Custom and type an exact width and height. With Custom, Lock aspect ratio is on by default so typing one number fills in the other; turn it off to force an exact size — the picture is then stretched to fit, and the note below the fields tells you when that will happen.
Frame rate — keep the source, or convert to 25 / 30 / 60 fps.
Keyframe every — how often a full picture is stored (advanced; the default of 2 seconds is right for almost everyone).

6. Saving to a folder vs. downloading

Save to a folder (recommended): click Save to and pick any folder on your computer. Finished videos are written directly into it as they complete, named after the original (for example myvideo-encoded.mp4; a number is added rather than overwriting anything). Because the video streams to disk while it encodes, even very large or 4K files will not fill up your computer’s memory.
Downloads: without a folder, each finished file shows a Download button. Fine for a few small files — for long or 4K videos, prefer a folder.
A cancelled or failed encode never leaves a half-written file in your folder.

7. While it encodes

Each card shows a progress bar and time estimate; the bar under the top bar tracks the whole queue.
At the end of each file the status briefly changes to Saving… while the finished video is written out — that is normal, not a freeze.
Cancel stops the current file (the rest continue); Stop queue stops after cancelling the current file. Cancelled and failed files can be retried with one click.
Leaving the page mid-encode (or with results you have not downloaded) shows a warning first. Files already saved to your folder are safe.

8. Text size

Open the ⋯ menu in the top bar and pick Small, Normal, or Large to make the encoder’s buttons and labels easier to read. Your choice is remembered on this browser and also applies to the other studio pages (Video Editor Studio, Screen Zoning Studio, Asset Studio, and Design Studio).

9. Frequently asked questions

That is intentional in this first version — signage displays are almost always muted, so the encoder produces silent video. Audio support is planned for a future update.

Encoding H.265 needs hardware support from your computer’s graphics chip plus a recent Chrome or Edge (version 130 or newer). On machines without it, simply use H.264 — it plays everywhere.

That file uses a video format your browser cannot read (this can happen with some phone or professional-camera formats). Convert it to a standard MP4 first, or try a different source file. The rest of the queue continues normally.

No. The estimate assumes the video actually needs the full target bitrate; simple content (still images, gentle motion, flat graphics) compresses far below it. Smaller than expected is a good outcome.

Some computers’ hardware encoders only produce the High profile. The encoder detects this, uses High instead, and tells you on the card. If you specifically need Baseline for old playback hardware, try a different computer.

You turned off Lock aspect ratio (or applied one file’s custom size to files with a different shape). The note under the resolution fields says “stretched” whenever the size you typed does not match the video’s shape — turn the lock back on to snap the numbers to the correct shape.

If you picked a Save to folder, they are in that folder, named after the originals with “-encoded” added. If not, use the Download button on each finished card — but do it before closing the page, because downloads-in-waiting do not survive leaving.

No. Reading, converting, and saving all happen inside your browser on your own computer. Nothing leaves your machine unless you later choose to upload the result to Asset Studio yourself.

Beta note: the Video Encoder Studio is under active development. If something looks wrong or you have a suggestion, please contact Kuusoft support — feedback during the beta directly shapes the tool.