H.265/HEVC

H.265/HEVC
Name	H.265/HEVC
Full name	High Efficiency Video Coding
Developer	Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC)
Released	2013

H.265/HEVC is a video compression standard developed by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC), a collaboration between the Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) and the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). It was designed to provide twice the compression efficiency of its predecessor, H.264/AVC, while maintaining the same video quality, and has been widely adopted by companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. The development of H.265/HEVC involved the contributions of many experts from organizations like IBM, Intel, and Sony, and was influenced by the work of researchers at universities like Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The standard has been recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Introduction

H.265/HEVC is a video compression standard that offers a number of advantages over its predecessors, including improved compression efficiency, enhanced video quality, and support for a wide range of applications, from Ultra High Definition (UHD) video to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. The standard has been adopted by a number of companies, including Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, and has been used in a variety of devices, from Smartphones to Smart TVs and Set-top boxes. The development of H.265/HEVC was influenced by the work of researchers at institutions like University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon University, and has been recognized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Companies like Cisco Systems and Ericsson have also played a significant role in the development and deployment of H.265/HEVC.

History and Development

The development of H.265/HEVC began in 2010, when the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) was formed to develop a new video compression standard. The team, which consisted of experts from organizations like Panasonic, Samsung, and Toshiba, worked together to develop the standard, which was finalized in 2013. The development of H.265/HEVC was influenced by the work of researchers at institutions like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, and was supported by companies like Qualcomm and Broadcom. The standard has undergone several updates since its initial release, with the most recent version being published in 2019 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in collaboration with organizations like AT&T and Verizon Communications.

Technical Overview

H.265/HEVC is a block-based video compression standard that uses a number of techniques to achieve high compression efficiency, including Intra prediction, Inter prediction, and Transform coding. The standard supports a wide range of video resolutions, from Quarter Video Graphics Array (QVGA) to Ultra High Definition (UHD), and can be used for a variety of applications, including video streaming, video conferencing, and video storage. H.265/HEVC also supports a number of advanced features, such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG), which are supported by companies like Dolby Laboratories and Technicolor. The standard has been implemented in a number of software and hardware platforms, including FFmpeg, GStreamer, and x264, which are used by companies like Facebook and Twitter.

Features and Advantages

H.265/HEVC offers a number of features and advantages over its predecessors, including improved compression efficiency, enhanced video quality, and support for a wide range of applications. The standard also supports a number of advanced features, such as Scalable Video Coding (SVC) and Multi-View Video Coding (MVC), which are supported by companies like LG Electronics and Sharp Corporation. H.265/HEVC also offers improved support for Error resilience and Error concealment, which are important for applications like video streaming and video conferencing, used by companies like Skype and Zoom Video Communications. The standard has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), and has been adopted by a number of companies, including BBC and NHK.

Applications and Adoption

H.265/HEVC has been widely adopted by a number of companies and organizations, including Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube. The standard is used for a variety of applications, including video streaming, video conferencing, and video storage, and has been implemented in a number of devices, from Smartphones to Smart TVs and Set-top boxes. H.265/HEVC is also used in a number of emerging applications, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), which are supported by companies like Oculus VR and Magic Leap. The standard has been recognized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), and has been adopted by a number of companies, including Disney and WarnerMedia.

Comparison to Other Codecs

H.265/HEVC is compared to other video compression standards, such as H.264/AVC and VP9, in terms of its compression efficiency, video quality, and support for advanced features. H.265/HEVC offers improved compression efficiency and video quality compared to H.264/AVC, and supports a number of advanced features, such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG), which are not supported by VP9. The standard has been recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and has been adopted by a number of companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, which are also involved in the development of other codecs like AV1 and VVC. Companies like Intel and AMD have also played a significant role in the development and deployment of H.265/HEVC, and other codecs like H.266/VVC and VP10.

Category:Video codecs