An encoder for encoding input data to generate corresponding encoded data is provided. The encoder includes a data partitioning arrangement for partitioning and/or combining the input data to generate one or more data portions thereof; an analyzer arrangement for analyzing one or more properties of the one or more data portions of the input data to select one or more data formats for encoding the data portions; an encoding arrangement for encoding the data portions according to the selected data formats; and a data aggregator arrangement for aggregating the encoded data portions together with header data to generate the encoded data. The header data includes information indicative of encoding data formats, and one or more source data formats, and one or more encoding methods, namely algorithms, applied to the data portions in the encoding arrangement, and the partitioning and/or combining of the input data to generate the data portions in the data partitioning arrangement.