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Pros and Cons of the H.265 Codec (HEVC)

Posted on by Shane Jiang
AV Access Blog_ H.265 Codec_ Pros and Cons You Should Know
12
Jan
If you’re a fan of online video streaming and are obsessed with image quality, you’ve probably noticed that the majority of videos use the current industry standard, the H.264 codec. However, you have undoubtedly also noticed that a new codec known as H.265 has begun to surface with the rising popularity of UHD (4K and 8K) material. What is H.265 codec? What are the pros and cons of H.265 codec? Let’s find out the answers in this blog.
 

What Is the H.265 Codec?

As a more advanced video compression standard, H.265 is superior to H.264 in many ways. MPEG-H Part 2 or “High-Efficiency Video Coding” (HEVC) are other names for it. Even though it was published in 2013, it is still not as well-known as H.264 (AVC).
 
Compared with the H.265 codec‘s forerunners, better (and more expensive) hardware is required for higher efficiency. Because of this, professional broadcasters and streamers continue to use it more frequently than the average public.
 
H.265 is supported by the most widely used video streaming protocols of today, including RTSP, MPEG-TS, and HLS.
 

Advantages of the H.265 Codec

First and foremost, an H.265-enabled encoder consumes half the bitrate when streaming live content when compared to an H.264-based encoder. Assume you are transmitting a 1080P live stream over H.264 at 8Mbps on YouTube. If you utilize an H.265 encoder, that 1080P feed will only stream at 4Mbps. You will get the same quality with less data.
 
Second, H.265 codec is the best choice for locations with limited data. Many companies choose less expensive Internet services, but this causes slower upload speeds. With the H.265 codec, they can now broadcast 720P at 1.5Mbps instead of the previous limit of 480P at 1.5Mbps, giving viewers a better visual experience.
 
Last but not the least, while H.265 playback support and worldwide demand are still emerging, all analyses show that it will unquestionably become the standard for video compression in the future. As TVs, laptops, OTT devices, and other consumer content devices adopt the forthcoming standard, having H.265-enabled devices today helps to future-proof encoding productions.
 

Disadvantages of the H.265 Codec

Though the H.265 code boasts many benefits, it also has some drawbacks:
  • As opposed to H.264, it is less compatible. For instance, several editor apps do not support GoPro 4K HEVC footage.
  • The vast majority of older hardware, software, and video players do not support the H.265 codec. For instance, H.265 video may only be played on iOS 11 iPhones and iPads with at least an A9 chip.
  • Encoding the HEVC video takes a long time. The increased coding efficiency of HEVC comes at the cost of much more complicated compression techniques, which not only put more strain on your computer’s hardware but also took a lot longer to encode videos than H264/VP9.
  • High licensing and royalty fees
  • Encoding H.265 content necessitates a high-end hardware configuration.

H.265 AV over IP Solution

As we have learned the pros and cons of the H.265 codec (HEVC), you may be interested in what AV Access AV over IP solutions support this advanced video compression standard. AV over IP solutions have been widely used in various scenarios, like sports bars and universities, for digital signage, video matrix switching and video wall processing. AV Access HDIP100 is the option you must choose if you’re looking for a high-quality and plug-and-play H.265 AV over IP solution.

The HDIP100 AV over IP encoder/decoder adopts the advanced H.265 video codec. Any worldwide managed or unmanaged Ethernet switch available on the market is compatible with it without a hitch. Matrix switching, video wall compatibility, simple visual control, quick seamless switching and other features are among its distinctive features. It is ideal for a variety of scenarios, including sports bars, restaurants, shopping malls, retail stores, and houses of worship.

AV Access Case Study_HDIP100 AV over IP Solution in Sports Bar (1)

Conclusion

Compared to H.264, the H.265 codec compresses data more effectively, producing files with comparable video quality that are around half the size. H.265 video files stream more smoothly and consume less bandwidth than other video formats. This is a significant benefit, especially for 4K and other high-resolution video content storage and streaming.

Though the H.265 codec requires better hardware and may not work with some devices, it is a crucial trend as 4K Blu-ray movies and streaming media gain more popularity.

That’s all for the blog. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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Shane Jiang

Shane Jiang holds a master's degree in English translation and brings more than four years' working experience in content marketing. His extensive knowledge in multilingual writing and translation has brought a balanced perspective to the AV Access team.

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