Disclosed are various embodiments directed to transcoding a media file in parallel. A media file may be accessed, the media file comprising a bit stream expressing a series of pictures. A first random access point in the bit stream and a second random access point in the bit stream are identified. An input segment of the bit stream is generated, the input segment comprising a starting point, the starting point being the first random access point. One of a plurality of transcoders is selected to transcode the input segment for generating a corresponding output segment, each transcoder being configured to operate concurrently in parallel. The output segment is stored in a memory.