When 4K was announced, the first thing people said was, how can we see it? There are no 4K Blu-rays and the Internet is still not fast enough for the huge file sizes.
Well, we still don’t have any 4K Blu-rays yet and the Internet, while getting faster all the time, is still not quite ready for 4K size files. But never fear, along comes HEVC or High Efficiency Video Coding. Also, now known as H.265.
The ITU or International Telecommunications Union has just approved the new video format. Each AVC is designed to bring to bring high-quality streaming video, even on low bandwidth networks. The new format is the successor to H.264 codec.
The idea is that through improved compression techniques H.265 will enable publishers to stream 1080P video with about half as many bits as required currently. Any place where there is higher broadband connectivity H dock to 65 could conceivably bring 4K to your PC and 4K TV. This would also mean less compression and better viewing quality in 3D TV being streamed on the Internet. With H2654K streaming, it is possible with as little as 20 to 30 Mbps of bandwidth. Well, within the reach of many better connected areas around the world.
We still have probably a year or more before we see it in practical use. Initially, it is likely that we will see software-based encoders available by the end of 2013. It will take a little bit longer to see the codec embedded into chips and hardware possibly as long as a year and a half. For filmmakers and content creators, this could solve the dilemma of creating high quality video and film projects, only to see them hopelessly compressed with lesser quality by the time it reaches an Internet audience. H.265 promises to deliver the quality we want with the bandwidth to get it into the home.
But it’s good to know the future has been approved.
By: Al Caudullo
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