Tips and Training >> Definitions >> H.266

What is H.266 / VVC?

H.266 (Versatile Video Coding) is an even more efficient video encoding method than H.265. Also called VVC, H.266 was adopted in July of 2020 and is also known as MPEG-I Part 3 and Future Video Coding (FVC). The promised improvement in video encoding efficiency is between 30% and 50%. Efficiency is a function of compression level. So, a 30% to 50% improvement would imply that for the same level of video quality, 30-50% less bits are required to store the video or to transmit it.

If less bits are required to encode video, this means a number of important things. Here are just a few:

  • 1. H.265/HEVC’s improved efficiency over H.264 and prior codecs
  • 2. Massive advances in computing power of user devices, workstations, tablets and phones
  • 3. Higher speed communications networking with 5G and beyond

All of these assessments are based on taking a video file and encoding it in H.266 versus H.265 or even H.264. There is a meaningful change in the use of resources and/or the quality of video that is produced by using more efficient video encoding tools. In this way, H.266/VVC will contribute to an overall growth in the proliferation of video applications and video use during the next generation of video evolution in products, apps and services.

Why is H.266/VVC Important?

The importance of H.266 is that it is more efficient in that it requires less bandwidth or storage for videos of comparable quality versus H.265 and earlier codecs. By itself this can be significant. But, the key to why H.266 is important is that it may allow video quality to improve in a wide variety of applications. For example, video conferencing applications, security video and cell phone video applications may all change as a result of this improved compression efficiency. Taken together with advancements in network technology and hardware capability, H.266/VVC may change the way video is used in homes, workplaces and in government.

H.266 in Webcasting and Videoconferencing

Using applications like video conferencing from Zoom Video, Microsoft Teams or Cisco WebEx creates a dependency on each participant’s video quality. What is not always apparent is that video quality in a video conference is dependent on a few things that are related to H.266/VVC. The efficiency in video encoding H.266 provides means that for the same level of video quality, less bandwidth will likely be required from participants. If less bandwidth is required, that can affect video conference quality very positively. Quite often a cause of poor video quality on a video conference is the lack of usable bandwidth at a given user’s location. Video conference providers will be able to take advantage of H.266/VVC’s ability to transmit good quality video at lower speeds or bandwidths.

If H.266 is adopted by video conferencing system manufacturers or service providers it may allow for higher quality

Contact TKO for help today

background