This topic describes how to choose and purchase resource plans.
Choose a resource plan
ApsaraVideo VOD provides resource plans such as data transfer plans, storage plans, and transcoding plans. We recommend that you choose resource plans based on the features and services that you want to use, business volume, and the region where ApsaraVideo VOD is activated. 
You can purchase resource plans on the buy page.
For more information about billable items, see ApsaraVideo VOD pricing.
You can purchase multiple resource plans and apply them based on specific rules and order. For more information, see Rules for applying resource plans.
You must use the pay-by-data-transfer metering method to purchase a resource plan in ApsaraVideo VOD. For more information about how to change the metering method, see Switch between metering methods.
Purchase a resource plan
Go to the ApsaraVideo VOD resource plan buy page and select a resource plan based on your business needs.
Examples
Scenario
John is building a small short video website for mobile clients and requires storage and playback acceleration for video files. The website provides 720P videos to improve user experience. The users of this website are distributed across the Chinese mainland.
The following table describes the resources that John requires.
Resource
Description
Video storage
About 1 TB storage is required to store 1,000 video files, and an additional 100 GB is required each month to store 100 incremental videos.
Playback acceleration
Estimated daily peak bandwidth: 1 Gbit/s. Estimated outbound data transfer: 0.2 TB per day, 2.4 TB per month, 5 TB per 6 months, and 11 TB per year.
Video transcoding
General transcoding for H.264 LD (640 x 480) videos is required. The total duration of existing videos is calculated based on the following formula: 1,000 x 30 = 30,000 minutes, and the total duration of incremental videos is calculated based on the following formula: 100 x 30 = 3,000 minutes.
NoteSelect resource plans in different specifications based on the codec and video resolution. The consumed resources are deducted from resource plans based on specified offset ratios.
For example, if you perform general transcoding on 30,000 minutes of H.264 SD (1280 x 720) videos, the quota deducted from your resource plan is calculated based on the following formula: 30,000 x 1.5 = 45,000 minutes. For more information, see ApsaraVideo VOD transcoding plan.
The fees in the preceding example are calculated based on the pricing in the Chinese mainland.
Select a resource plan type.
Resource
Billable item
Resource plan type
Video storage
Storage space
ApsaraVideo VOD storage plan
Playback acceleration
Acceleration service
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan (available only when you use the pay-by-data-transfer metering method)
Video transcoding
Transcoding service
General transcoding plan
Select a resource plan specification.
NoteThe following tables describe the commonly used combinations of resource plan specifications. You can purchase resource plans based on your business needs.
ApsaraVideo VOD storage plan
Validity period
Benefit and drawback
1 TB + 100 GB
1 year
You need to purchase a 100 GB storage plan every month.
1 TB + 500 GB
1 year
You need to purchase a 500 GB storage plan every five months.
1 TB + 1 TB
1 year
You need to purchase a storage plan only once a year. However, you may have a large amount of unused storage space.
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan
Validity period
Benefit and drawback
1 TB + 1 TB + 1 TB
1 year
You need to purchase a data transfer plan every month.
5 TB
1 year
You need to purchase a data transfer plan every half year. This option provides a higher discount.
10 TB + 1 TB
1 year
You need to purchase a data transfer plan only once a year. This option provides a higher discount.
General transcoding plan
Validity period
Benefit and drawback
20,000 minutes + 5,000 minutes + 5,000 minutes + 5,000 minutes
1 year
You need to purchase a 20,000-minute transcoding plan every month. However, you may have an excessive unused transcoding quota.
20,000 minutes + 20,000 minutes + 5,000 minutes + 5,000 minutes
1 year
You need to purchase a transcoding plan every half year. This option provides a higher discount.
100,000 minutes
1 year
You need to purchase a transcoding plan only once a year. This option provides a higher discount.
See the following table for the recommended combinations of resource plan specifications.
Resource plan
Specification
Validity period
ApsaraVideo VOD storage plan
1 TB + 500 GB
1 year
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan
10 TB + 1 TB
1 year
General transcoding plan
100,000 minutes
1 year
References
Why am I still charged on a pay-as-you-go basis even if I already have a resource plan?