What should I use for HLS and DASH encoding from uploaded files?

For HLS and DASH packaging from uploaded files, you generally want to use an adaptive bitrate (ABR) encoding ladder—a set of renditions at different resolutions/bitrates—then package those outputs into HLS and DASH manifests.

Recommended approach

1) Encode to multiple renditions

Use a video transcoder to generate several versions of the same source, for example:

• 1080p: ~5–8 Mbps
• 720p: ~2.5–5 Mbps
• 480p: ~1–2.5 Mbps
• 360p: ~0.8–1.5 Mbps
• optional 240p: ~0.3–0.8 Mbps

Common codec choices:

• H.264 + AAC for maximum compatibility
• H.265/HEVC if you need better compression and can accept weaker device/browser support
• AV1 if targeting modern devices and efficiency, but it’s heavier to encode and not universally supported

2) Package for HLS and DASH

After encoding, package the renditions into:

• HLS: .m3u8 playlist + .ts or .m4s segments
• DASH: .mpd manifest + .m4s segments

Using CMAF-compatible fMP4 segments is ideal if you want to serve both HLS and DASH from the same encoded outputs.

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Practical tool recommendations

Best open-source option

FFmpeg

• Great for ingesting uploaded files
• Can encode multiple renditions
• Can output HLS directly
• Can also output DASH directly

Best packaging workflow

• FFmpeg for encoding
• Optionally Shaka Packager or Bento4 for cleaner HLS/DASH packaging from CMAF segments

Managed/cloud options

If you want less infrastructure work:

• AWS Elemental MediaConvert
• Mux
• Cloudflare Stream
• Bitmovin
• Wowza

These handle ABR ladder generation, packaging, and delivery.

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If you want a simple default ladder

A solid starting point for uploaded files is:

• 1080p @ 6 Mbps
• 720p @ 3 Mbps
• 480p @ 1.5 Mbps
• 360p @ 0.8 Mbps
• AAC audio @ 128–192 kbps

Use:

• H.264 High profile
• keyframes every 2 seconds
• segment duration 2–6 seconds depending on latency and player needs

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Summary

If you’re building your own pipeline, the usual choice is:

FFmpeg → multi-bitrate H.264/AAC renditions → CMAF/fMP4 segments → HLS + DASH manifests

If you want, I can give you:

1. a ready-to-use FFmpeg command,
2. a recommended encoding ladder, or
3. a cloud architecture for uploaded files.