High Efficiency Video Coding
High Efficiency Video Coding ( HEVC ), also known as H.265 or MPEG -H Part 2, is the planned as the successor to H.264 standard for encoding videos. H.265 is a joint development of the ISO / IEC Moving Picture Experts Group ( MPEG) and the ITU - T Video Coding Experts Group ( VCEG ). MPEG and VCEG in alignment with the "Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding ( JCT -VC) " a joint working group to develop the HEVC standard. The goal is twice as strong compared to H.264 compression at the same quality. In addition HEVC can scale from 320 x 240 pixels up to 8192 x 4320 pixels ( 4320p ).
History
From 2004 ( VCEG ) examined the ITU- T Video Coding Experts Group options to the compression of video compared to H. 264/MPEG-4 AVC to improve. In January 2005, the key areas of VCEG ( KTA Key Technical Areas) defined for further investigation. The VCEG developed a reference software to make improvements in these key areas to test. As a basis for the "Joint Model Reference Software" was used, which was created by the MPEG & VCEG Joint Video Team as the basis of the H.264 standard. The newly integrated techniques were tested in the next four years in experimental evaluations.
As two possible approaches to the standardization of the improved compression technology were: to define a new standard, or creating extensions to H. 264/MPEG-4 AVC. The project was the temporary name and H.265 H.NGVC (Next Generation Video Coding) and was a major part of the work of VCEG until its development in the HEVC joint project with MPEG in 2010. Nickname H.265 was especially provided for the possible creation of a new standard.
Preliminary requirements for NGVC were a bit rate reduction of 25% and a reduction in the complexity of 50 % while maintaining the same subjective image quality as compared to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile.
Schedule
- February 2012: Committee Draft ( complete draft of the standard)
- July 2012: Draft International Standard
- January 25, 2013: Confirmation as a standard by the ITU
Profiles
The adopted in January 2013 draft HEVC defined in contrast to only three H.264/AVC Main Profile, Main 10, and Main Still Picture. The Main Profile from HEVC codec is roughly comparable to the progressive high profile of the H.264/AVC codecs.
In addition to the standard design of HEVC the development of future enhancements for HEVC was launched, such as the Scalable Video Coding ( SHVC ) and Multiview Video Coding extension ( MHVC ).
Levels ( tiers ) and levels
The HEVC standard defines two levels ( Main Tier and High Tier ) and various levels. The ' Main Animal ' has been designed for most applications, while the ' high animal ' only for very demanding applications will be used. The levels define the requirements for a corresponding encoding and decoding, so what is the maximum resolution and refresh rate of de - and encode can. A suitably designed hardware decoder can decode a certain animal / level combination will always have to decode all tiers and levels underlying or lower.
For all level less than level 4 when HEVC codec only the ' Main Animal is specified.
Note
Patent law
Similar to the previous standard H.264 numerous companies have claims on HEVC. The use therefore requires the payment of patent fees to the MPEG LA or other patent holders or managers in the amount of U.S. $ 0.20 per unit from 100,000 units / year, but not more than 25 million U.S. $ / year. The encoded with HEVC contents are royalty- free.