A method of statistical multiplexing digital video is provided enabling use of an encoder pool. The method includes loading a mapping curve into memory at a statistical multiplexor controller (SMC) for each of a plurality of encoders in a heterogeneous encoder pool, each mapping curve being specific to a type and/or configuration of encoder and associating target bitrates with need parameter values, receiving a need parameter value at the SMC from each encoder in the heterogeneous encoder pool, determining a target bitrate associated with each need parameter value received at the SMC, by looking up target bitrates for each need parameter on mapping curves specific to each encoder in the heterogeneous encoder pool, and sending the target bitrate from the SMC to each encoder in the heterogeneous encoder pool in a bitrate assignment.