Method for transcoding a content referenced by a first contents server connected to a network, the method being implemented by a transcoding system (SYST) connected to the network and distinct from the first contents server and comprising: - a step of transmitting (B120, B220), subsequent to a transmission (B110, B210) via the network of a first announcement message signalling the absence in said network of the first contents server remaining active, a second announcement message signalling the presence in said network of a device substituting for the first contents server, forming a contents server, the substituting device being implemented in the transcoding system; - a step of receiving (B130, B230), originating from a transmitting entity, a request for interrogating said substituting device, - a step of transferring the interrogating request from the substituting device to said first contents server, the interrogating request aiming at obtaining metadata of a content, which include at least metadata relating to the coding formats in which the content may be obtained; - a step of obtaining (B135, B235) a response from said first contents server comprising first metadata relating to at least one first coding format in which said content may be obtained from said first contents server, - a step of analysing the first metadata obtained to determine at least one second coding format in which the content may be obtained and of generating second metadata relating to the second coding format, the second coding format being distinct from the first coding format; and - a step of sending (B145, B245) a response to the transmitting entity comprising the first metadata and furthermore second metadata relating to at least one second coding format in which said content may be obtained from said transcoding system. - a step of transmitting (B120, B220), subsequent to a transmission (B110, B210) via the network of a first announcement message signalling the absence in said network of the first contents server remaining active, a second announcement message signalling the presence in said network of a device substituting for the first contents server, forming a contents server, the substituting device being implemented in the transcoding system; - a step of receiving (B130, B230), originating from a transmitting entity, a request for interrogating said substituting device, - a step of transferring the interrogating request from the substituting device to said first contents server, the interrogating request aiming at obtaining metadata of a content, which include at least metadata relating to the coding formats in which the content may be obtained; - a step of obtaining (B135, B235) a response from said first contents server comprising first metadata relating to at least one first coding format in which said content may be obtained from said first contents server, - a step of analysing the first metadata obtained to determine at least one second coding format in which the content may be obtained and of generating second metadata relating to the second coding format, the second coding format being distinct from the first coding format; and - a step of sending (B145, B245) a response to the transmitting entity comprising the first metadata and furthermore second metadata relating to at least one second coding format in which said content may be obtained from said transcoding system.