Devices that support the h265 codec. Is H.265 (HEVC) a marketing gimmick or something more? What does the upcoming change in the coding standard bring with it. year: expert opinions
What makes HEVC/H.265 different from H.264 is the ability to expand the size of these regions into larger or smaller units called tree coding units (CTUs) in HEVC/H.265. Template CTU sizes can range from 4x4 to 64x64, while H.264 allows a maximum block size of 16x16 (CTU is a feature of HEVC). Improved CTU segmentation as well as improved motion compensation and spatial prediction require much more signal processing capability for video compression, but have a much smaller impact on the amount of computation required for decompression. Motion compensated prediction, another big advance in HEVC/H.265, refers to blocks of pixels on a different area in the same frame or in a different frame.
As mentioned above, CTUs are one of the main HEVC encoding tools. In addition, the codec relies on parallel computing processing technologies to make it even faster and supports extended extensions like AVX/AVX2 and FMA3/FMA4. The individual rectangular areas that divide the image are independent and allow for parallel processing. In addition, HEVC also has another feature that H.264 does not have: Wavefront Parallel Processing (WPP), a kind of decision tree that provides more productive and efficient compression.
x265 is an open implementation of the new H.265 High Efficiency VideoCoding (HEVC) video coding standard. The H.265 standard is a logical extension of H.264 and features more efficient compression algorithms. The standard assumes approximately a twofold reduction in file size with the same visual quality compared to H.264 and support for high resolutions up to 8K UHD (8192×4320).
Benefits of H.265
The flexible H.264 codec has been widely used in video streaming networks, on satellite platforms, and in Blu-ray disc recording. It is quite good at upscaling, which has led to it being proposed as a standard for 3D at 48-60 fps, and even 4K (although the codec was not created for this format). H.264 copes well with these tasks. The standard adopted for Blu-ray discs does not yet include any recommendations regarding these technologies, but the H.264 codec itself is capable of supporting them.
The peculiarity of the H.264 codec is that, while being able to encode video in these formats, it cannot provide a compression ratio that would make the resulting file sizes smaller.
The new standard in the H.265 codec was able to significantly reduce the size of compressed files and thus earned international recognition as a means of promoting new video formats. H.265 uses new compression technologies and a smart encoding/decoding model to save bandwidth. The codec was developed taking into account all the features of 4K (support for 10-bit video, high frame rate).
Encoding sizes are determined by the quantizer (digitizer) settings, where lower q-scores correspond to higher quality (and larger files). The base encoded file consists of 500 frames, its size is 1.5 GB, YUV 4:2:0, frame rate is 50 per second. For comparison, the elementary size of the stream file is used, it displays what is transmitted to the decoder to create an output image. Elementary streams are examined, the size of the decoded file is always 1.5 GB, regardless of the quality level selected during its creation.
The main advantage of H.265 compared to H.264 is up to 50% bandwidth savings. By setting q=24 in the converter, we get a file size of 57% of that created in H.264, by setting q=30 - 59%, and q=40 gives 47%. With q=40, the final file is far from perfect, but it more than doubles the bandwidth.
Performance and image quality
H.265 requires more processing power for encoding and decoding compared to H.264.
The hyper-threading feature and setting the parallelization to 12/8 thread speed up the encoding process a bit. The performance of the test decoder with processors based on SandyBridge-E (6 physical cores) and Haswell (4 physical cores, support for the latest AVX2 and better performance characteristics) outperforms IvyBridge (4 physical cores).
Encoding with x265 takes longer than encoding with x264. For example, the IvyBridge 3770K encodes a file to H.264 in 129 seconds, to H.265 in 247 seconds.
The image (on the example of a fragment of a basketball game) is characterized by a high speed of movement, recorded at a frequency of 50 frames per second. A high frequency of movement in the frame usually leads to a processor freeze or picture shaking.
The image shows the original uncompressed YUV video.
The image shows video encoded in H.265 at q=24 and video encoded in H.264 at q=24.
The difference between the images is minimal. The wooden floor under the jumping player is less blurry in the H.264 version, but the quality of the H.265 version is excellent, despite the fact that the file size is about half that.
The image shows video encoded in H.265 and H.264 with q=30.
When the converter is set to q=30 (file sizes are 6.39 Mb and 10.87 Mb, respectively), the quality of streaming video when using the H.265 codec turned out to be better than that of the stream encoded in H.264.
Support for encoding/decoding is available in many hardware. Modern processors are more than ready to decode H.265 with the right software. In the long term, H.265 is likely to replace H.264 as the main solution for advanced video processing. The parallel H.265 encoding model should perform well against multi-core devices.
The introduction of a new format for high-performance video processing could have a huge impact on the video surveillance market in the coming years. The main advantage of the new coding standard (H.265/HEVC) compared to H.264/MPEG4 is the bitrate reduction by about 40%, while the resulting image quality remains the same.
IP cameras with H.265 codec provide high quality images and reduce network and storage load by 40%. The introduction of the new H.265 standard will increase the number of effective megapixels for network cameras (10,15,20 megapixels), as well as reduce digital noise and work out the WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) functions more clearly.
The range of Optimus equipment is actively replenished with modern models with the H.265 compression codec.
| Using h.265 (HEVC) in Premiere.
Using h.265 (HEVC) in Premiere.
current as of 12.2019
H.265/HEVC format and its application
H.265, also called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), is a video compression standard designed to more efficiently compress high definition video. The ultimate goal is to deliver high quality 4K content over existing communication channels. Netflix in August 2016 published the results of their comparison of x264, VP9 and x265* codecs based on video clips from 500 movies and TV shows, according to which VP9 and x265 codecs give 40-50% better 1080p compression than x264 (i.e. file size can be half of h.264). The algorithms used are more complex and require large computational resources: for decoding, you need about 2 times more power than for h.264, for encoding - several times more. The format is designed for high resolution, at low resolutions the superiority over h.264 is not so significant. In addition to the file size, HEVC has another serious advantage, it shows less blockiness (banding) in overexposure - when squares become visible in areas close to pure white.
On video cameras, h.265 gained popularity in 2018, thanks to the new iPhone, GoPro Hero, DJI Phantom 4k. It is also often used in IP CCTV cameras. H.265 is a format for playback on user devices: H.265 has been chosen as the de facto television standard for 4K, TV lineups since 2015 have support for hevc, modern set-top boxes come with support for it. You can download h.265 on Facebook and Youtube. The container for h.265 is mp4 and mov files. Hardware support for h.265 encoding and decoding is available on NVidia graphics cards starting with Maxwell 9x0 series, new AMD cards, in Intel processors starting with Skylake.
The standard is not as widespread as h264, the obstacles are overly complex compression algorithms and overly expensive and complex licensing system (7 times more expensive than MPEG). Netflix and Youtube are currently running in VP9. The next open standard AOMedia Video 1 (AV1) is on the way, which, with equal quality, will have a 25% lower bitrate and, most importantly, is free, why Youtube plans to switch to it. The HEVC standard continues to evolve, so devices and programs that play hevc videos of earlier versions are not guaranteed to be able to play all hevc videos. Sony is developing an XEVC codec based on H.265 (HEVC) version 2. In 2020, hevc developers are going to standardize on a new codec, and by the mid-20s to put the codec into circulation: this vvc (h.266) is 30% more efficient than h.265.
There are ready-made presets for export. Their bitrate is set to 30-50% less than for similar presets for h.264, which indicates a smaller file size after export (50-70% of the regular MainConcept h.264). The price of this is several times longer encoding time depending on the quality settings.
2015.3 added 10 bit profile with Rec.2020 color.
Rovi Total Code for Premiere
There may be problems with importing h.265 if Rovi Total Code for Premiere is installed - if h.265 video exported from Premiere is normally imported with Rovi Total Code installed, then only audio is imported into Premiere encoded in x265 / 1.5, since Rovi intercepts mp4 on itself, but it cannot decode hevc. The plugin can not be deleted, but simply moved its folder to another location, so that if necessary, import / export of any exotic format can be returned.
iPhone 8, X, 11 and Premiere
In the new iphones, video is recorded in hevc format to files with a mov or mp4 container. Depending on the version of Premiere and Windows, different situations arise:
* If you have Windows 10 and Premier version 2018.1 and later installed, then such files are imported without problems (you need a fresh build of win10 with HEVC Video Extensions or HEVC Video Extensions from the Device Manufacturer).
* If you have Premier 2018 and newer, but Windows 7, then the files are not imported. The problem is that in this version, Prime opens hevc using the MFC system decoder, which is not in Win7. As an option, you can try to rename mov to mp4.
* If you have an old Premier (2017.x - 2015.1) and Win 10, then the easiest way is to install the latest version of Premier, or you can try renaming it to mp4 (mov files with hevc inside will open via Quicktime, but QT cannot work with hevc, so let's try to open them with ImporterMPEG).
* If you have the old Premier (2017.x - 2015.1) and Win 7, you can try to rename it to mp4 (let's try to open it via ImporterMPEG).
* If you have a very old Premier (2015.0 and older) and any version of windows, you will have to recode.
** If the video in CC2019 freezes or jumps to the beginning when rewinding on the timeline, then you need to enable GPU decoding. If there is no GPU decoding (no Intel QSV), then you will have to recode.
** If you have a new Premiere installed, but in a trial version, hevc files in any container will not open. Checking for a trial is easy - in the full version, hevc should be available for export.
** If renaming the files does not help, then you need to re-encode. You can do it right away on an iPhone using the "HEVC & H.264 Video Compressor" application, on a computer you can transcode to HandBrake or better Avidemux.
There may also be a problem with audio and video out of sync on the timeline. This is due to the fact that some frames may be skipped during recording (the so-called vfr) and Premier 2015.0, 2017.x, 2018.0 cannot process this correctly. Therefore, when transcoding such files, use converters that allow you to adjust the frame rate (usually called constant frame rate).
To work comfortably with such high-bitrate material on the timeline, you need an Intel processor with QSV hardware decoding
The HEIF (HEIC) format in which new iPhones record pictures is supported in Premiere 2019/Windows 10 with HEIF Image Extensions.
Voukoder Plugin
Cinegy Daniel2
First of all, this is a commercial codec positioned as an alternative to DNxHD/ProRes editing codecs. A unique feature is the work on the GPU (CUDA), due to this it is very fast, which is necessary for editing 4K, 8K, 16K material. The codec is universal - in the absence of gpu it works on the processor and is also fast. The codec may be of interest as it has an input/output plugin for Premiere, and in addition to the Daniel2 codec itself, it has export to h.264 and hevc through the nvenc block of NVidia video cards. It differs by somewhat high system requirements: Windows 10 64bit and NVidia Pascal.
Other export plugins
Packages Drastic MediaReactor Workstation and Lite for Adobe versions have an h.265 import plugin. Professional package Sorenson Squeeze in versions 10 and 11 supports h.265 and VP9 software encoding. The project closed in 2018.
Commercial encoder Cinemartin CINEC has a plugin for Premiere, judging by the characteristics and functionality, based on the free ffmpeg, only for an inadequately high price. The site has not been updated since 2014.
Converters
There are a significant number of converters for every taste. Our choice is Handbrake, IFME.
Export from Premiere via Frame Server
For direct export from Premiere via external converters, you can use the Advanced Frame Server plugin.
1. Install Advanced Frame Server, remember the path where you installed it and copy dfscPremiereOut.prm from there to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Common\Plug-ins\7.0\MediaCore
2. Install the latest version of MediaCoder, download and install updates.
3. Export in the usual way (eg File > Export > Movie) and select Advanced Frame Server as the output format.
4. Enter the name of the intermediate file for export, for example "signpost", Color space - YUY2.
5. Click "Export" to start FrameServing.
6. Run Mediacoder and load "signpost", select Format: H.265 in the Video tab, if the video card is NVidia GTX 950 or higher, then you can enable hardware encoding - select Encoder: NVENC. 
7. Click "Start".
8. After encoding in MediaCoder, it remains to cancel the export to Premiere. Unfortunately, due to this peculiarity of work, batch encoding through Adobe Media Encoder proceeds in manual mode.
You don't even have to use MediaCoder, StaxRip and similar front-ends. Frameserver allows you to work with encoders from the command line, use TSmuxer, FFMPEG and X265 directly. When exporting in this way, it is also possible to use h.265 hardware encoding if you have an NVidia video card from the 9x0 series or an Intel processor from the SkyLake series.
Among the shortcomings: there may be a problem with bt.601 vs bt.709 color spaces.
useful links
https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/whats-new.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/kb/fixed-issues.html
https://blogs.gnome.org/rbultje/2016/12/13/overview-of-the-vp9-video-codec/
As you know, we all love to watch movies, videos or programs in good quality. But in terms of storing video on a computer, there are many problems, usually associated with a banal lack of space. Relatively recently, a new standard has appeared, and many users immediately have a logical question: "What is it - HEVC?". Let's consider several main aspects related to the implementation and practical use of the new codec.
What is it: HEVC
If we talk about movies that are recorded on removable media, usually the size of the disc itself affects the choice of method. The same Blu-ray discs can store high-definition movies larger than 25 GB. However, you will agree that keeping such a film on a hard drive, especially when its capacity is clearly limited, is completely inappropriate from a practical point of view.
For this, video encoding is used, which allows, even without compromising quality, to reduce the size of the final file due to special compression methods. But in practice, what is it? HEVC is by far the most advanced codec, one might even say a revolution in the field of video. But what does the old H.264 codec not suit fans of high-quality video?
High Efficiency Video Coding: Coding Basics
To do this, one should turn to understanding the basics of signal coding. The fact is that here one of the main roles is played by the use of the maximum block. For H.264, this is 16 x 16, or a total of 256 pixels.
For the new H.265 standard, such a block can be 16 times larger! And if we also take into account the technology of variable blocks, when the block size is taken directly by the algorithm itself during the compression process, it is easy to figure out that the new codec is, so to speak, the most “tolerant” to high resolutions and today even supports 8k (8192 x 4320 pixels). ). You can add here also the function of parallel coding. Thus, the HEVC codec with high image quality allows you to reduce the bitrate, and, accordingly, the file size. Space savings compared to H.264 can reach 25-50%!
Support for 4k and 8k: how effective is it
As for the effectiveness of the use of such a codec, at the dawn of its appearance it did not gain much popularity. This was due to the fact that only the most powerful and modern GeForce 970 or 980 graphics chips could provide support for the new standard.
Actually, the encoding process itself on other less powerful devices took about 10-12 hours. Thus, from a practical point of view, the application of the new standard was disadvantageous.
Over time, the situation has changed, and now technologies based on H.265 are beginning to be used everywhere. In terms of space savings in comparison with H.264, a rather eloquent example can be given. At 720p resolution, the savings is about 25%, and at 4k quality - more than 50%. By the way, if you rip a Blu-ray disc, the size of the original video can be reduced by almost 10 times (it will “weigh a little over 3 GB)!”
Main innovations
If you look at some of the innovations, among all that is presented in the requirements for the new codec, the following can be noted:
- support for Main profiles 8 and 10 bits (in the future - 12 bits);
- the presence of two-dimensional separable, inseparable and directional interpolation filters ASF;
- motion compensation with an accuracy of 1/8 pixel;
- using adaptive error prediction and matrix selection in the coding process;
- availability of a comparative motion vector coding scheme;
- mode dependent intraframe coding.
What software to use to watch movies in the new format
So, we figured out the codec itself. What is it (HEVC), I think, is already a little clear. Now let's move on to the most pressing issue, which, of course, is of interest to most users. What to use to watch video encoded with new algorithms?
In principle, in the simplest version, you can use software players. One of the most interesting, according to many, is the specialized and narrowly focused Daum PotPlayer application. If this option is not suitable, you can use the popular VLC Media Player, you just need to install the latest version, since only it has built-in support for HEVC.
However, despite all the advantages, a lot of problems can be noted. For the most part, this only applies to the fact that there are not so many films or videos encoded with the new algorithm that can now be found on the Internet. What's even more frustrating is the lack of support from vendors. If software issues are still somehow resolved, then manufacturers of home theaters or Smart TVs are in no hurry to master the production of products with H.265 support. And the codec itself, although it is considered revolutionary, has not yet received much distribution. But I would like to hope that this is a temporary phenomenon.
Instead of total
That's all in a nutshell about the new standard in video coding. Of course, far from all the technical aspects of the new technology were touched upon here, however, even such brief information will help any user to draw a conclusion about the main innovations, the feasibility of introducing and practically using such technologies. But by and large, they can turn all our ideas about the quality and processing of video information. And, apparently, soon the outdated H.264 standard will go into oblivion, because technology does not stand still. If we take a long-term perspective, it is very likely that something even more powerful will be developed instead of the HEVC codec.
For DivX Software (or ). Enable the conversion and playback of DivX video with DTS-HD audio, including HEVC video content up to 4K. The DTS-HD Plug-in allows you to convert and play videos with DTS audio tracks for studio-quality sound. Whether enjoying entertainment at home or on the go, DTS aims to provide the finest audio experience possible no matter what device you are using.
- Convert your videos with multi-channel audio tracks into the DTS format
- Play videos with DTS sound tracks in DivX Player for an even more cinematic experience
- Play your videos anytime, anywhere on your DivX devices with DTS audio support
The DTS-HD Plug-in for DivX Software includes DTS-HD Master Audio™, which decodes all DTS codecs including DTS Digital Surround™, DTS Express™, and DTS Coreless lossless streams, with the DTS decoder. Depending on the DTS codec used to create the audio in your file, DTS may allow up to 7.1 discrete channels and a data savings that makes encoding faster with better quality.