The H.265 video format got approved by ITU, making 4K for all a close reality.

Only months after the MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) proposed it, ITU (International Telecommunication Union) approved the new H.265 video format.

This new format will be known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) or  ISO/IEC 23008-2 and will includes 8-bit, 10-bit and photo-oriented profiles that should cover most 2D capture and playback. This format should also get 12-bit video as well as 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 chroma formats for professionals. Stereoscopic and 3D video coding support will come at a later time.

One of the main advantages of H.265 over the common H.264 video format is its efficiency. We should get files squeezed by half for the same quality, meaning high quality streaming over cellular will be a standard while 2k and 4k will be a reality for desktop computers, TV broadcast and top-set boxes. While it can sound a bit ahead of its time, 4k (aka Ultra HD) will ‘only’ need a 20-30 Mbps of bandwidth, thing that will be common in a few years, if not months.

Expect HEVC to make the jump to our cellphones this year while graphic cards and TV top-set boxes should get them as soon as the acceleration chips are ready (read 2014)

Full press release: ITU

Steve's Blog - Jan 28, 2013 | front page, Home Page, News, Post
Tagged | 4k, H.264, H.265, Ultra HD, XAVC