Merge pull request #395 from ant-media/md/codecs

Update webrtc-codecs.md

docs/guides/configuration-and-testing/video-codecs.md

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+---
+title: Video codecs 
+description: Simplified understanding of H.264, VP8, and H.265 codecs used with Ant Media Server. This guide also explains how to enable H.264, VP8, and H.265.
+keywords: [Enable H.264, VP8, and H.265, WebRTC codecs, Ant Media Server Documentation, Ant Media Server Tutorials]
+sidebar_position: 6
+---
+
+# Video Codecs
+
+In this guide, we’ll explain how to use H.264, VP8, and H.265 (HEVC) video codecs in Ant Media Server. 
+
+Currently WebRTC relies on specific codecs for video streaming, and Ant Media Server supports H.264 and VP8 for it.
+
+Protocols like HLS, LL-HLS, and CMAF (Dash) support H.265 codec to provide maximum compatibility and quality options. The WebRTC does not officially support H265 codec for now.
+
+- While H.264 & VP8 codecs can be enabled directly from the basic application settings, the H.265 codec needs to be enabled from the Advanced settings.
+
+![codec-support](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/951a04d9-eaf2-4377-8793-95cced896736)
+
+:::info
+VP8 and H.264 are mandatory in WebRTC as per RFC 7742. However, not all browsers support these codecs at the same time.
+:::
+
+- Each codec can be enabled or disabled based on your requirements. This guide will cover how to enable and configure these codecs in different scenarios.
+
+## Enable and Configure H.264 & VP8 Codecs
+
+In this section, learn about the H264 and VP8 video codecs.
+
+### Enable H.264 and VP8 Codec Together
+
+Both H.264 & VP8 can be enabled in the basic application settings.
+
+![h264andvp8](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/37123332-5f07-4350-ac11-09b64a433cb2)
+
+- **SFU Mode (No adaptive bitrate):** Ant Media Server can ingest a WebRTC stream in either H.264 or VP8; if both are available, H.264 is prioritized. In this mode, no transcoding occurs, so the original stream is forwarded to players.
+
+- **Adaptive Bitrate Mode (if you have at least one adaptive bitrate):** Ant Media Server ingests the stream. It transcodes it into multiple bitrates for both H.264 and VP8 codecs if [Adaptive streaming](https://antmedia.io/docs/guides/adaptive-bitrate/adaptive-bitrate-streaming/) is enabled. This ensures compatibility across devices that support either codec.
+
+### Enable Only H.264 Codec
+
+![h264](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/cfe26a24-6b8e-4a5f-94d9-68bfc260fc47)
+
+- **SFU Mode:**: Only H.264 streams are ingested and forwarded without transcoding.
+- **Adaptive Bitrate Mode:** The stream is ingested and transcoded into various H.264 bitrates for adaptive streaming. Devices that support H.264 can then play the stream.
+
+You can check if your device supports H264 [at this link](https://mozilla.github.io/webrtc-landing/pc_test_no_h264.html).
+
+### Enable Only VP8 Codec
+
+![vp8](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c8900114-0f74-4cba-9dd9-c5b0da5b757a)
+
+- **SFU Mode:** Only VP8 streams are ingested and forwarded to players.
+- **Adaptive Bitrate Mode:** VP8 is ingested and transcoded to different bitrates. Note that HLS streaming and MP4 recording will not work if only VP8 is enabled.
+
+:::info
+HLS and MP4 recording require H.264 codec. Enabling only VP8 will limit recording (WebM) and playback (WebRTC) options.
+:::
+
+## Enable and Configure H.265 (HEVC) Codec
+
+HEVC, also known as H.265, provides better video quality at the same bitrate, making it ideal for bandwidth-sensitive environments.
+
+ 1. **Enable H.265 in Configuration**
+
+H.265 codec support is disabled by default. To enable it, follow these steps:
+
+- Go to the advanced application settings & set
+
+   ```js
+   "h265Enabled": true,
+  ```
+
+- If you set H.264 & VP8 true as well, then AMS will accept the incoming streams with all the video codecs.
+- If H.264 & VP8 are set to false, then AMS will only accept the incoming streams with H.265 codec.
+
+```js
+"h264Enabled": false,
+"vp8Enabled": false,
+"h265Enabled": true,
+```
+
+![h265](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a41545a1-9ec9-43ff-b41b-8e0aa88f159b)
+
+- Scroll down & save the settings after making changes.
+
+2. **Send an RTMP Stream to Ant Media Server**
+
+- Use a tool like OBS to send an RTMP stream to the Ant Media Server with H.265 video codec. Check out [Enhanced RTMP document](https://antmedia.io/docs/guides/publish-live-stream/rtmp/enhanced-rtmp/) for more details.
+
+3. **Play H.265 Stream**
+
+- Most Android devices natively support H.265 playback, so you can play the HLS, LL-HLS, and Dash directly in supported video players. You can use player like VLC or integrate third-party players in your applications to play the H265 encoded stream.
+
+4. **Play H.265 Stream on browsers**
+
+The majority of the browsers do not support H.265 playback yet. You can check the [H.265 supported browsers](https://caniuse.com/?search=H.265).
+
+- Like H.264 & VP8, H.265 can also be used in both SFU & Adaptive bitrate mode.
+
+5. **Play H.265 transcoded streams with H.264**
+
+- Since H.265 support is limited for browsers and WebRTC, a workaround solution is to enable H.264 & make use of Adaptive streaming to transcode the H.265 ingested stream with H.264.
+
+- To do this, along with H.265, enable H.264:
+
+```js
+"h264Enabled": true,
+"h265Enabled": true,
+```
+
+- Enable at least one adaptive bit rate
+
+![h265andh264](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/366e921c-8ab1-4235-a9d9-5062b8c109a3)
+
+- This will transcode the incoming H.265 coded stream to H.264 codec then browsers and AMS SDKs will be able to play the stream.