What is H.265?

H.265, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), is a video compression standard that significantly reduces file sizes while maintaining high-quality video. It is the successor to H.264 (AVC) and is widely used for 4K/8K streaming, video conferencing, broadcasting, and surveillance systems.

H.265 improves upon H.264 by using advanced motion compensation, better intra-frame prediction, and larger coding blocks (CTUs). This enables higher compression efficiency, reducing file sizes by up to 50% while preserving video quality.

Higher compression efficiency – Uses up to 50% less bandwidth than H.264 for the same quality.

Supports 4K and 8K video – Ideal for ultra-high-definition (UHD) streaming.

Improved video quality at lower bitrates – Reduces data usage without loss of detail.

Better low-light performance – Enhances visibility in security and surveillance footage.

Optimised for modern hardware – Efficient processing on new smartphones, GPUs, and embedded systems.

H.265 is widely used in:

Streaming services – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

4K and 8K broadcasting – Used in satellite, cable TV, and live sports.

Video conferencing – Reduces bandwidth usage for HD calls on Zoom and Teams.

Security and CCTV systems – Enhances storage efficiency in surveillance.

Gaming and screen recording – Captures high-quality gameplay with smaller file sizes.

Blu-ray and video storage – Used in Ultra HD Blu-ray discs for high-quality playback.

Yes, H.265 offers superior compression efficiency, making it ideal for high-resolution video streaming, broadcasting, and security applications. However, it requires more processing power and is less widely supported than H.264.

• Higher processing power required – May not run smoothly on older devices.
• Limited compatibility – Some older media players and web browsers do not support H.265.
• Patent and licensing costs – Unlike H.264, H.265 requires royalty payments for commercial use.

H.265 is covered by patents, meaning businesses and developers must pay royalties for its use. However, consumers can access it for free on platforms that support H.265-compatible media players (e.g., VLC, Kodi).

H.265 is currently being replaced by AV1, a newer, royalty-free codec with even better compression efficiency. However, H.265 remains a key standard for 4K/8K video streaming, security, and broadcasting.