--- title: "Explaining Media Profiles" url: "https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/explaining-publishing-profiles" category: "Assets" updated: 2026-10-23 summary: "When you upload or record media in Sardius, you’ll choose media profiles that determine how your content is processed, played back, and downloaded. Each profile serves a different purpose depending on how you plan to use the asset. This article explains The difference between MP3, MP4, HLS, and…" --- # Explaining Media Profiles When you upload or record media in Sardius, you’ll choose media profiles that determine how your content is processed, played back, and downloaded. Each profile serves a different purpose depending on how you plan to use the asset.                  This article explains  - The difference between MP3, MP4, HLS, and Thumbnails             - What Enhanced profiles mean  - Common use cases for each                                                            - How Transcoded vs Un-transcoded assets work (especially for live stream recordings) - Which profile is the most user-friendly     --- ### Overview: What Each Media Profile Does:  ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/48ee771fdf23d826.png) ### ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/c7ddfeb82827c6f0.png) MP3 (Audio) > **Note:** **What it is:** > An **audio-only** format commonly used for podcasts and downloadable audio. **Best used for:** - Sermon audio - Podcasts - Audio-only teaching content - Users who want a simple download **Key notes:** - Audio only (no video) - Very small file size - Highly compatible across devices ### MP4 (Video – Download Friendly) > **Note:** **What it is:** > A single **video file** that is easy to download and share. **Best used for:** - On-demand video libraries - Downloadable sermon videos - Sharing files outside the platform - Archival storage **Key notes:** - Creates **one downloadable file** - Works well on nearly all devices - Required if you want a **download button** ### HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) > **Note:** **What it is:** > A streaming-optimized format designed for **playback**, not downloading. > > Instead of one video file, HLS breaks the video into many small pieces and delivers the best quality version based on the viewer’s internet speed and device. **Best used for:** - Live streaming - Web playback across multiple devices - Viewers on unstable, mobile or low-bandwidth connections **Key notes:** - **Media Delivery using Adaptive bitrate streaming** (automatically adjusts quality) - Not a single downloadable file - Ideal for smooth playback, not file distribution ### Thumbnails Only > **Note:** **What it is:**  > A **thumbnail** is a static image pulled from your video that helps viewers visually identify the content before clicking play. **What it does:** - Generates thumbnail images only - Does **not** create a playable video format **Best used for:** - Updating or regenerating thumbnails - Fixing missing or incorrect preview images - Making visual changes without reprocessing video Thumbnails are used in: - Video grids and collections - On-demand libraries - Asset previews - Player posters before playback starts If thumbnails are not generated: - The video will still play but no preview image will appear in grids or libraries - The asset may appear blank or use a default placeholder image ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/5193dff20932e29c.png) ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/de241a2561cdd923.png) --- ### What Does “Enhanced” Mean? Each MP4 and HLS option may have a **Standard** or **Enhanced** version. #### Standard Profiles: - Supports 720p and older Standard Definition (SD) content in addition to HD content - Slightly higher compression quality #### Enhanced Profiles: - Supports multiple HD workflows - Processes more quickly than the standard profiles - Are recommended for most HD use cases **General recommendation:** > If you’re unsure (or working with a live stream archive), always choose **Enhanced**. --- ### Transcoded vs Un-transcoded Assets (Important for Live Streams) #### This is where things can feel confusing — especially with HLS. #### _**Live Stream Recordings:**_ - Any live stream recording is **automatically saved as HLS** - Even if it shows as **not transcoded**, the HLS playback already exists - You **do not** need to transcode it as HLS again #### _**Why does it say “Not Transcoded”?**_ Because transcoding controls **what formats are generated**, not whether the recording exists. --- ### To enable downloads: - Transcode the asset as **MP4 (Enhanced recommended)** - This creates the missing **downloadable file** - Once transcoded as MP4, a **Download button will appear** > **Important:** > Assets transcoded only as HLS will **not** show a download option. > **Tip:** For step-by-step instructions on downloading assets, [click here](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/downloading-an-asset-video) > [](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/downloading-an-asset-video) #### Common Use Cases (Quick Reference) | Goal | Best Profile | | ------------------------------ | ------------------ | | Podcast or audio-only download | **MP3** | | Downloadable sermon video | **MP4 (Enhanced)** | | Live stream playback | **HLS (Enhanced)** | | Smooth playback on all devices | **HLS (Enhanced)** | | Sharing files outside Sardius | **MP4** | | Archival / long-term storage | **MP4 (Enhanced)** | --- ### What Is the Most User-Friendly & Downloadable Option? **MP4 (Enhanced)** is the most user-friendly option for most clients. Why? - Creates a **single video file** - Enables the **Download button** - Works across devices and platforms - Ideal for sharing, archiving, and offline viewing **Recommended default for on-demand content:** > **MP4 (Enhanced)** > Pair with **HLS (Enhanced)** if you also want optimized streaming playback. --- ### Recommended Media Profile Setup (Best Practice) For most video content: - ✅ **HLS (Enhanced)** → best playback experience - ✅ **MP4 (Enhanced)** → enables downloads This gives you **both streaming performance and download access**.