Cloudflare has introduced Media Transformations, a service designed to optimize short-form video content by simplifying the video optimization process. This service extends its Image Transformations capabilities to short-form video files, regardless of storage location. It eliminates complex video pipelines, making it easier for users to enhance videos directly from existing storage solutions like Cloudflare R2 or S3.
Image courtesy of Cloudflare
The service allows users to apply various optimizations via URL-based parameters, facilitating automation and integration for video adjustments without the need for complex coding. Key features include:
- Format Conversion : Output videos as optimized MP4 files.
- Frame Extraction : Generate still images from video frames.
- Video Clipping : Trim videos with specified start times and durations.
- Resizing and Cropping : Adjust video dimensions with parameters like “fit,” “height,” and “width.”
- Audio Removal : Strip audio from video outputs.
- Spritesheet Generation : Create images with multiple frames.
The service is currently in beta and free for all users until Q3 2025, after which a pricing model similar to Image Transformations will be adopted.
For businesses focusing on short-form video, alternatives such as Cloudinary, ImageKit, and Gumlet offer features for video optimization, but Cloudflare’s Media Transformations aims to provide a more streamlined solution.
Cloudflare Launches One-Click Content Credentials
Cloudflare has also announced the launch of a one-click solution for preserving image authenticity and creator attribution through Content Credentials. This feature allows publishers and media organizations to maintain the digital history of images across Cloudflare’s global network.
The digital ‘nutrition label’ attaches directly to images, enabling creators to be credited for their work and allowing consumers to verify the origin and alterations of digital content. The solution is based on standards from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA).
Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, stated, “The future of the Internet depends on trust and authenticity.” This integration helps media organizations verify authenticity and maintain ownership of their work, crucial in an age where AI-generated content is prevalent.
Users of Cloudflare Images can enable the “Preserve Content Credentials” option to safeguard embedded metadata across the Cloudflare network. This ensures that transformations made to images are recorded using public key cryptography, allowing viewers to verify the digital history of images using the Adobe Content Authenticity Inspect tool.
For more details, check the following resources:
- Blog: Preserving content provenance by integrating Content Credentials into Cloudflare Images
- Content Authenticity Initiative Blog: Cloudflare becomes the first major content delivery network to implement Content Credentials
Introducing Media Transformations from Cloudflare Stream
The Media Transformations service allows customers to optimize short video content without the need to migrate existing assets. The URL structure for transforming videos mirrors that of Image Transformations, making it easy for users to integrate this feature into their existing setup.
Example URL format for transformations:
https://example.com/cdn-cgi/media/<OPTIONS>/<SOURCE-VIDEO>
This service provides a significant reduction in file size while maintaining quality, facilitating smoother user experiences on websites.
For more information on transforming videos, visit Transforming Videos.
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