What is the Difference between Absolute and Incremental Encoders? In this video, we are going to discuss the various types of encoders and which encoder may be used for which function. There are many types of encoders but they basically fall into two main sensing techniques. Those being: Linear and Rotary. Within those categories, there differing encoder measurement types such as absolute and incremental. There are also various electromechanical technologies such as magnetic, optical, inductive,