H.264 vs. H.265: Key Differences in Video Codecs

This article compares H.264 and H.265 video codecs, outlining the key differences between these two popular methods of video compression.

Introduction

H.264 and H.265 are both video codecs used to compress video files, making them smaller and more manageable. These standards were developed by the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group and ISO/IEC MPEG, respectively.

H.264 is also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding), while H.265 is known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). The primary goal of video compression is to reduce the file size of video data, enabling efficient transmission and storage over networks.

H.264 has been widely adopted in applications like Blu-ray discs, video streaming, and digital TV broadcasting due to its relatively high compression rate, wide range of supported video resolutions, and frame rates. H.265 was introduced to improve upon H.264, primarily focusing on improved compression efficiency. In fact, it offers a 50-75% bit rate savings compared to H.264.

H.265 is commonly used in applications demanding high-quality video with high resolutions and frame rates, such as 4K video, VR (Virtual Reality), and 360-degree video.

Key Differences Between H.264 and H.265

The following table highlights the differences between the H.264 and H.265 video codecs across various parameters: