In simple words about 4K video codecs
If you have experience streaming or recording video signals, you probably know what video codecs are. Video codec – a device or program that allows you to compress (encode) large video files for viewing or editing; the name is formed at the same time as the English words: «co the mpressor / dec ompressor»
In the context of the characteristics of professional environments, live or recording codecs reduce the size (or bit rate) of the data stream, allowing the transfer of data to a wide audience. For example, a compressed 1080p30 signal typically takes 4-8 Mbps, while an uncompressed version of the signal would take 1.5 Gbps – that’s 250 times longer! Given current network bandwidth limitations, it would be nearly impossible to transmit at such a high bit rate without using video codecs.
Live streaming in 4K?
Streaming or recording in 4K resolution, if possible, definitely has its advantages. This is, first of all, the quality and clarity of the video, as well as ample opportunities for further processing.
In terms of formats and codecs, 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels) contains four times more pixels than the most popular modern Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080), meaning in one frame, you can transmit much more data to your audience.
Fortunately, new codecs have already appeared that allow you to work with 4K and higher resolutions.
H.265 codec is the best choice for 4K
H.265, also known as HEVC, is the successor to the modern generation H.264 codec (known as AVC), which is capable of encoding / decoding 4K video. HEVC is installed in most 4K televisions and computer monitors. When encoded, H.265 consumes up to 8-10 times more processing power than H.264, making HEVC unsuitable for transmitting small to medium-sized data using the latest technologies. Video-on-demand resources such as Netflix generally encode their video content well before making it available to users. In addition, these resources can be allowed as additional computing power,
Обратите внимание, что старые форматы и кодеки (AVC / H.264) по-прежнему способны обрабатывать видео с разрешением 4K а разница заключается в том, что новые, типа HEVC, делают это более эффективно. При этом качество видео при увеличенной степени сжатия стало лучше, и это не сказалось наебитрей. HEVC, способный поддерживать разрешения до 8K (8192 × 4320) – это видео-формат будущего!
At the same time, there are no end-user costs associated with HEVC / H.265, while hardware manufacturers, providers of paid programs and streaming services must pay royalties for using HEVC technology in their products and / or services. . A good example would be modern 4K televisions or monitors, in which the H.265 codec is incorporated during production, and users get it for free with the purchase of the corresponding device.
Free video streaming services (such as YouTube) have traditionally been exempt from royalty payments, but this has not affected HEVC. This exclusion has generated a series of interesting collaborations between renowned high-tech companies in the creation of new open source video formats.
Alliance for Open Media
Dissatisfied with the licensing rules and patent royalties associated with HEVC, tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Mozilla, Cisco, Intel, Netflix, and Amazon have formed a new consortium: the Alliance for Open Media (AOM). It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of the next generation of video codecs, video encoding formats, and related technologies. For 2016-2017, AOM plans to introduce new technology that enables video data to be compressed more efficiently, which in turn will significantly reduce the load on the Internet connection and significantly increase the capabilities of modern web networks that transmit video to personal computers, smart phones, game consoles, streaming consoles. , televisions, etc. Also, when using the new format, no royalties will be paid. It follows that any company can create software that can convert,
Many of the group members have already contributed to the development of the next generation of 4K codecs; Cisco created Thor, Mozilla worked with Daala and Google with VP9. AMD, ARM, Intel, and Nvidia have recently joined the Alliance.
VP9 is the most popular 4K codec
The VP9 codec is open source and royalty free. It owes its popularity to its use in web applications during the gradual transition from Flash to HTML5 technology.
