HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is a video compression standard that was first released in 2013 by the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group and the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group. It is the successor to the widely used H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard and offers significant improvements in compression efficiency, allowing for higher quality video at lower bitrates.
Here are some key facts about HEVC:
- HEVC is designed to support resolutions up to 8K (7680×4320) and frame rates up to 120 frames per second.
- HEVC achieves higher compression efficiency by using more advanced coding techniques such as larger block sizes, improved motion compensation, and better intra-prediction.
- HEVC can achieve up to 50% bitrate savings compared to H.264 while maintaining the same level of video quality.
- HEVC is used for a variety of applications, including video streaming, broadcasting, surveillance, and video conferencing.
- HEVC is supported by a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs, and media players. However, older devices may not support HEVC due to hardware limitations.
– about HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) – - HEVC is subject to patents, which can make it more expensive to use than some other video codecs. However, there are open-source implementations available as well.
- HEVC is often used in conjunction with other technologies such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) and WCG (Wide Color Gamut) to provide a more immersive viewing experience.
HEVC is an important technology that has the potential to significantly improve the quality of video content while reducing the bandwidth required for transmission and storage.
What are the differences between HEVC and H.264/AVC?
- Compression Efficiency: HEVC is significantly more efficient than H.264/AVC. HEVC can achieve up to 50% bitrate savings compared to H.264 while maintaining the same level of video quality. This means that HEVC can provide higher quality video at lower bitrates, which is important for streaming and other applications where bandwidth is limited.
- Encoding Complexity: HEVC is more complex to encode than H.264/AVC, which requires more processing power and time. This can make it more difficult to implement in certain applications.
- Resolutions and Frame Rates: HEVC is designed to support higher resolutions and frame rates than H.264/AVC. HEVC can support resolutions up to 8K (7680×4320) and frame rates up to 120 frames per second.
- Patents: HEVC is subject to patents, which can make it more expensive to use than H.264/AVC. This can be a barrier to adoption for some applications.
- Compatibility: While HEVC is supported by a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs, and media players, older devices may not support HEVC due to hardware limitations. In contrast, H.264/AVC is more widely supported across a range of devices, including older devices.
HEVC is a more advanced and efficient video compression standard than H.264/AVC, but it is also more complex and may require more processing power to encode. It is particularly useful for applications where bandwidth is limited or where higher resolutions and frame rates are required.
- Open your web browser and go to the Microsoft Store website.
- Search for “HEVC Video Extensions” in the search bar on the top right corner.
- Click on the “Get” button next to the “HEVC Video Extensions” app.
- Click on the “Install” button to start the installation process.
- Wait for the installation process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
- Once the installation is complete, you should be able to play HEVC-encoded videos using any media player that supports HEVC.
Note: The HEVC Video Extensions app is not a free app, and it requires a one-time payment of $0.99. However, some versions of Windows 10 may already have the HEVC codec pre-installed. If you are unsure whether you already have the codec, you can try playing an HEVC-encoded video using a media player like VLC or Windows Media Player. If the video does not play, you may need to download and install the codec using the above steps.
- Open your web browser and go to the x265 website (https://www.videolan.org/developers/x265.html).
- Click on the “Download” button to download the latest version of the x265 codec.
- Install the x265 codec on your computer by following the installation instructions provided on the website.
- Once the installation is complete, you should be able to play HEVC-encoded videos using any media player that supports the x265 codec.
Note: While the x265 codec is free and open-source, it may not be as efficient as some commercial HEVC codecs. Additionally, some media players may not support the x265 codec by default, so you may need to configure your media player to use the x265 codec for HEVC-encoded videos.
K-Lite Codec Pack and HEVC
To get HEVC support in K-Lite Codec Pack, follow these steps:
- Download and install the K-Lite Codec Pack from the official website (https://codecguide.com/).
- During the installation process, select the “Advanced” installation mode.
- In the “Select Components” window, make sure that the “HEVC/H.265” checkbox is selected.
- Complete the installation process by following the prompts.
After installation, you should be able to play HEVC-encoded videos using any media player that uses the codecs included in the K-Lite Codec Pack.
