4K video streaming is about to get a boost, thanks to the developers of the H.265 codec having now announced the next generation version, H.266. Dubbed as VVC (Versatile Video Codec), the technology is expected to drop video streaming data consumption by around 50 percent, forging the way for 4K and 8K content to become more accessible, and across all platforms.
Fraunhofer HHI (Heinrich Hertz Institute) has been working with the giants of the tech industry, including Microsoft, Apple, Qualcomm, Sony, and others, for years over the development of the H.266 codec. The VVC codec is succeeding H.265 HVEC (High-Efficiency Video Codec) which set the standard for online media streaming by achieving a 25 to 50 percent higher compression rate over the ones that came before. Heeding to the need for a more aggressive compression codec to accommodate UHD TVs and mobile devices of the current generation, H.266 is a step in the right direction.
In announcing the new codec, Benjamin Bross explained that due to the “Because of the quantum leap in coding efficiency offered by H.266/VVC, the use of video will increase further worldwide.” Further expanding on the benefits the new codec offers, Bross also explained how the “increased versatility” will make the codec suitable for a wider range of video use cases.
H.266/VVC Is What The Video Industry Needs
Ever since HDR content has made its way to premium streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the amount of data used has skyrocketed. Combined with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has forced a large chunk of the global population into self-quarantine, media consumption is at all all-time high. The H.266 Versatile Video Codec comes just in time, offering a more efficient transmission rate and reducing overall data requirements.
For instance, the H.265 HEVC codec consumed around 10GB of data per 90-minute video in 4K quality. In comparison, the latest H.266 video codec is able to transmit the same duration of a video file while using just 5GB of data, without any change to the quality of the content. Additionally, the Versatile Video Codec comes with compatibility for high dynamic range video content, along with 360-degree omnidirectional videos. There are some concerns regarding the licensing model of the H.266 codec, especially due to the slow adoption rate that the H.265 codec suffered from. To avoid these mistakes of the past, the Media Coding Industry Forum was established, which is expected to facilitate and speed up the process of bringing H.266 to the commercial space, leading to improved 4K data consumption.
