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Rate–distortion optimization
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<p>Rate-distortion optimization (RDO) is a method of improving <a href="/facts/Video_quality/9XmPrYUy">video quality</a> in <a href="/facts/Video_compression/gMFuY4FT">video compression</a>. The name refers to the optimization of the amount of <i>distortion</i> (loss of video quality) against the amount of data required to encode the video, the <i>rate</i>. While it is primarily used by video encoders, rate-distortion optimization can be used to improve quality in any encoding situation (image, video, audio, or otherwise) where decisions have to be made that affect both file size and quality simultaneously. </p>