The Past, Present, and Future of Per-Title Encoding Maya Angelou once said, "You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been," and so it is with per-title encoding. What began as a one-dimensional data rate adjustment that reflected the simple reality that all videos encode differently is now a complex analysis that incorporates frame rate, resolution, color gamut, and dynamic ranges, as well as delivery network and device-related data. Along the way, video quality metrics (VQM) have advanced as well, as needed to supply the quality-related data that feeds the per-title algorithms. In this article, I'll review the history of per-title encoding technologies to provide the perspective to understand what features to look for when choosing a technology and/or service provider.