Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just callers, becoming powerful multimedia centers that can compete with professional cameras. When you launch the Camera app and switch to video mode, the device starts a complex data processing process that remains hidden from the eyes of the average user, which is directly dependent on which video encoder is selected in the settings or installed by default in the firmware.
Understanding how coding works is essential for anyone who wants to get a consistent result when shooting, and many users face problems with memory shortages, battery drains when recording 4K, or incompatibility with other devices, all of which are rooted in the compression algorithms MiUI or HyperOS uses to process the flow from the matrix.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what a video encoder is, what is the difference between popular compression formats, and how choosing the right parameter affects the final quality of your videos, and you will learn why a file can weigh less at the same resolution and whether it is worth chasing the latest standards of encoding on your device.
What is a video encoder and why it is needed in a smartphone
A video encoder, or codec, is a software or hardware algorithm that converts video streams into digital formats for storage and playback. Without codecs, video recordings from a modern smartphone's matrix would take up a huge amount of space. Compressing data can reduce the file size by tens or even hundreds of times, while maintaining image quality that is acceptable to the human eye.
In Xiaomi smartphones, as in other modern gadgets, this process takes place in real time. The processor or dedicated graphics module analyzes each frame, finds repeating elements in it, static areas and changes between frames. Then it mathematically describes these changes, throwing away excess information that the eye still does not notice. This process is called lost compression, and it is the balance between file size and detail that depends on the effectiveness of the codec.
⚠️ Warning: Using too aggressive compression settings or experimental codecs in the engineering menu can cause recorded videos to stop opening on other devices or in standard players.
In addition to saving storage space, the video encoder is responsible for compatibility. The format in which the video is encoded must be supported by the player you plan to watch it on. Industry standards such as H.264 or H.265 ensure that your video shot on the Xiaomi 13 Pro will open on an Android TV or Windows computer without the need to install additional software.
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A video encoder is a “translator” that turns a raw signal from a matrix into a compact file that other devices can understand, sacrificing subtle details to save space.
The main types of video codecs in Xiaomi devices
Today, the Android ecosystem and specifically Xiaomi shells are dominated by several basic coding standards, and understanding their differences will help you choose the optimal shooting mode for your tasks, and most often, users encounter abbreviations in video quality settings or when viewing the specifications of a file.
The most common standard remains H.264, also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding), which is the industry’s “gold standard” that delivers excellent compatibility with all devices released in the last 15 years. It requires less processing power to encode and decode, making it ideal for fast shooting and streaming.
More modern and efficient is the H.265 or HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) codec, which can provide the same image quality as H.264, but at a file size of about 50% smaller. Xiaomi’s flagship models, such as the Mi series and Xiaomi Numbered series, are actively using this codec to record video in 4K and 8K resolution, because without effective compression, such files would instantly fill the memory of the smartphone.
- 📹 H.264 (AVC): Maximum compatibility, less loading processor, but creates larger files.
- 🗜️ H.265 (HEVC): High compression efficiency, ideal for 4K/8K, It requires a more powerful “iron” to play back.
- 🚀 VP9: Google’s codec, often used in YouTube and web browsers, provides good quality at low bitrate.
- 🆕 AV1: The latest open codec, which is beginning to be implemented in top models for even better efficiency than the previous model HEVC.
The choice between these formats is often made automatically by the system depending on the resolution chosen, but in some third-party camera apps available on Google Play or in hidden developer menus, you can force the priority coding codec to be changed.
Hardware and software coding: what is the difference
It is important to distinguish between how your Xiaomi smartphone handles video streaming. There are two main methods: software encoding and hardware encoding, which directly affects the speed of the device and the heating of the case during long shooting.
The hardware is encoded by a specialized unit inside a Snapdragon or MediaTek processor called a video processor, which is designed exclusively for video compression tasks and performs them with maximum energy efficiency, which is why modern Xiaomi can write 4K video without turning into a brick from overheating in a couple of minutes.
The hardware coding process:
Matrix -> ISP (image processing) -> VPU (video processor) -> File on diskSoftware encoding uses the core core cores of the CPU, a versatile but less efficient method that can be used to apply complex real-time filters that the hardware unit doesn't support, or very old smartphone models. Software encoding makes the battery run down much faster and the device slow down because of the high load on the system.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged video recording using software codecs or heavy filters can lead to trotting (decreased performance) and automatic recording termination due to overheating.
In most cases, the standard Camera app in MIUI uses default hardware acceleration, which provides stable bitrate and smooth recording, and software-based conversion is usually only required by enthusiasts using specific root-right image processing algorithms.
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If your smartphone is warmed up when recording 4K, try to reduce the frame rate from 60 to 30 fps – this will significantly reduce the load on the video processor.
The effect of codec on video quality and memory
The main question that users are concerned about is: how does the choice of codec affect the final result? There is a rule of the triangle: quality, file size and performance. You can't improve one parameter without sacrificing another. The video encoder balances between these parameters using bitrate (the amount of data per second) as the main regulator.
The H.265 codec allows you to get a clearer picture with fewer compression artifacts (squares in dynamic scenes) than the old H.264. However, if you shoot fast-changing scenes, such as children running or sports, a less efficient codec may not have time to compress data, dropping results frames.
Memory is critical. A minute of 4K video captured on Xiaomi 14 in H.264 can take up to 400-500 MB. Using HEVC, this volume is reduced to 200-250 MB for visually identical quality. For users who shoot a lot of Travel videos or vlogs, switching to effective codecs is equivalent to buying a smartphone with a large amount of internal memory.
Below is a comparative table of the characteristics of popular codecs in the context of mobile devices:
| Parameter | H.264 (AVC) | H.265 (HEVC) | AV1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression efficiency | Basic | Tall (-50% size) | Very high. |
| Compatibility | Widespread (100%) | High (modern devices) | Low (top-note) |
| CPU loading | Low. | Medium/High | Tall. |
| Perfect for | Social media, fast transmission | 4K/8K records, archiving | Streaming the future |
It is worth noting that support for new codecs depends not only on software, but also on hardware. Older Xiaomi models cannot physically encode video in HEVC at high resolutions, since their video processors do not have the appropriate hardware support.
How to check and change the coding settings
In the standard interface of the Xiaomi camera, the user rarely has direct access to the choice of codec. The system automatically selects the optimal parameters depending on the resolution. However, you can check the current codec of the video used through the specifications of the file.
To do this, open the Gallery app, select a video, click on three dots (menu), and select Details or Properties. In the Video Format or Codec bar, you will see a label, such as avc1 (for H.264) or hev1/hvc1 (for H.265). This will help you understand which format the default recording is in.
☑️ Checking video parameters
There are several ways for advanced users to change their coding settings, and the safest way is to use third-party apps from the Google Play Store, such as Open Camera or Filmic Pro.
The way to the Open Camera:
Settings -> Video Settings -> Video encoderYou will be asked to choose from the codecs available in the system, and there are usually options on the list like android.media.videoencoder.h264 or android.media.videoencoder.hevc. The choice of a specific name depends on the implementation of the drivers in your version of Android.
⚠️ Warning: Forced installation of a codec that is not supported by your CPU will cause video recording to be interrupted immediately after start or go from extremely low to low. FPS.
Compatibility problems and ways to solve them
One of the common problems with modern codecs like HEVC is the inability to play video on older computers, TVs, or when sent via instant messengers.The recipient of the file can see a black screen or format error message.
This is because the decoder on the receiving device simply doesn’t know how to unpack the data. If you plan to share videos with owners of older devices or upload them to platforms with poor format support, it’s better to use universal H.264.
If the problem has already occurred and you have a video in a format that is not readable, it can be converted. On the Xiaomi smartphone itself, this can be done through the built-in video editor in the Gallery or through converter applications. When saving a copy, choose the compatibility format or MP4 (H.264).
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Also, consider that some video editors on a PC may not work properly with 10-bit or HDR files encoded in HEVC. In such cases, editing can occur with jerks. The solution is one – creating proxy files or pre-conversion of source files in the editor.