H.265

Definition

h.265, also known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), is a video compression standard that provides significantly improved video quality at lower bitrates compared to its predecessor, h.264. This makes it particularly valuable for high-resolution video formats, including 4K and beyond, enabling more efficient storage and streaming options.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. h.265 can reduce file sizes by approximately 50% compared to h.264 without sacrificing video quality, making it ideal for streaming high-definition content.
2. This codec supports resolutions up to 8192x4320, which is essential for 8K video production and distribution.
3. h.265 is more complex than h.264, requiring more processing power for encoding and decoding, which can affect playback on older devices.
4. The adoption of h.265 in various platforms and devices has been increasing due to the growing demand for higher-quality streaming and storage solutions.
5. Licensing costs for h.265 are higher than those for h.264, which has led to some companies continuing to use the older codec despite its limitations.

Review Questions

• How does h.265 improve upon h.264 in terms of video compression and what impact does this have on digital storage?
  • h.265 improves upon h.264 by offering better compression efficiency, allowing for much smaller file sizes while maintaining similar or superior video quality. This advancement means that video projects can be stored more compactly, freeing up valuable digital storage space while also improving streaming capabilities over networks with limited bandwidth.
• Discuss the implications of h.265's increased processing requirements on workflow management during video production.
  • The increased processing requirements of h.265 mean that production teams may need to invest in more powerful hardware to efficiently encode and decode videos using this codec. This can affect workflow management by necessitating upgrades to equipment and potentially leading to longer rendering times during post-production. Teams must balance the benefits of higher compression with the need for efficient processing to maintain project timelines.
• Evaluate how the adoption of h.265 affects project organization and planning within video production environments.
  • The adoption of h.265 impacts project organization by requiring careful planning around compatibility with various devices and platforms, as not all systems support this newer codec yet. This necessitates comprehensive testing during pre-production to ensure playback consistency across different viewing environments. Additionally, production teams may need to develop strategies for managing larger files efficiently without compromising on quality, influencing decisions about storage solutions and workflow processes.

Related terms

h.264: h.264 is a widely used video compression standard that precedes h.265, offering good video quality and efficiency but not as advanced as HEVC.

Bitrate: Bitrate refers to the amount of data processed in a given amount of time, typically measured in kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps), impacting video quality and file size.

Resolution: Resolution is the number of pixels in each dimension that the video displays, commonly represented as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD).