---
title: 'Uploading a video without transcoding'
description: 'How to upload videos without transcoding using folder settings, a pull profile or the API, for example for large pass-through source files.'
url: https://www.medialab.co/support/core/uploading/uploading-a-video-without-transcoding
---

# Uploading a video without transcoding

By default, all videos uploaded to MediaLab are transcoded into one or more web-optimized formats for online playback. Most clients include a default MP4 profile for streaming.

In certain scenarios, you may want to skip transcoding — for example, when working with large source files that only need to pass through MediaLab for downloading or automated workflows.

**Note:** Even when transcoding is skipped, files are still processed to extract technical metadata. These steps cannot be skipped unless disabled globally for the entire account.

### Folder-level transcoding settings

For each folder it is possible to override the default transcoding settings for that folder.
By heading to Folder > Transcode settings, you can configure a custom watermark, bitrate or disable transcoding for that folder.

### Using a Pull Profile

When setting up a pull profile (e.g., FTP or UDP), you can enable the **No transcoding** option.

- The source file will be imported without being added to the video queue.
- The file will not be playable online, but can still be shared for download or pushed to another destination.
- Automated workflows will still run as configured.
- If you need a playable version later, go to **File → Re-create** to add it to the transcoding queue.

### Skipping Transcoding for Web-Optimized Files

If the uploaded video already meets these specifications, transcoding will be skipped and the source file will be used for online playback:

- **Container:** MP4
- **Video codec:** H.264
- **Bitrate:** Maximum 1.5 Mbit/s (or other bitrate you specify)
- **Resolution:** Maximum 1080p
- **Web-optimized**

The video will be available for playback immediately after upload. You can still generate additional formats (e.g., a mobile-optimized version) if needed.

### Using the API

When uploading via the MediaLab API, you can include the **no_transcode** parameter in your request. This disables automatic transcoding for that upload.

See the [**Upload API documentation**](https://www.medialab.co/developers/upload) for full details.