In some embodiments, a method receives a file for transcoding. A timing requirement is associated with the transcoding of the file. The method generates a prediction of a timing estimation based on characteristics of the file and a set of target configurations. A target configuration in the set of target configurations is associated with a transcoding setting. The timing estimation is analyzed for the set of target configurations and the timing requirement to determine a transcoding configuration of a transcoding system. The transcoding configuration of the transcoding system is output to configure the transcoding system to transcode the file. The file is to be transcoded using at least a portion of the set of target configurations based on configuring of the transcoding system.