What Is H.265 / HEVC? What Does It Add to IPTV?
Euro TV Pro Editorial Team
H.265, also known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), is a video codec that compresses the picture more efficiently than H.264. Because the same picture quality can be delivered at a lower bitrate it saves bandwidth, especially in high-resolution streams. IPTV providers therefore mostly use H.265 for 4K streams.
In this article we explain what H.265 is, how it differs from H.264 and why device support is decisive.
What is H.265 / HEVC?
A codec is the set of rules that both compresses the picture and opens it on the device. H.265 makes these rules more efficient: it reduces the amount of data required for the same picture. This makes higher quality possible at the same internet speed, or less data consumption at the same quality.
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Efficiency: the same quality is delivered at a lower bitrate.
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Bandwidth: it saves noticeably, especially in 4K streams.
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Data usage: it reduces consumption when watching on mobile data.
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Hardware: on supporting devices less processor power is used.
The difference between H.264 and H.265
H.264 is a codec that has been in use for many years and is supported on almost all devices. Because H.265 is newer it may not be supported on older devices. The difference becomes clear in the balance of quality and bandwidth: the same quality can be offered at a lower speed, but the device has to be able to open this codec.
| Title | H.264 (AVC) | H.265 (HEVC) |
|---|---|---|
| Compression efficiency | Baseline level | Markedly higher |
| Data for the same quality | More | Less |
| Device support | Very widespread | Common on new devices |
| Suitability for 4K streams | Limited | Suitable |
| Processing load/cost | Lower processing load | Higher processing load |
What does bandwidth saving mean?
H.265 makes it possible to send the same picture at a lower bitrate. This means the stream plays without stuttering on connections with limited speed. In addition, mobile users with a limited data package use less data for the same quality. The comparative values are in the tables in the what is bitrate in IPTV article.
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Low speed: stream continuity improves on limited connections.
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Data usage: the data package lasts longer with mobile use.
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4K: access to high resolution becomes easier.
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Simultaneous screens: the same connection carries more screens.
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The logic of quality selection in adaptive streaming is explained in the adaptive bitrate article.
Which devices support H.265?
Support depends on the production year and the hardware of the device. Smart televisions, media players and phones produced in recent years offer H.265 support as standard. Older devices may not support it; in that case the stream does not open or plays at a low resolution.
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New smart televisions: usually supported.
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Media players: varies by model year.
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Phones and tablets: widely supported in recent years.
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Older devices: may not support it, the stream may not open.
What happens if the device does not support it?
On a device without codec support a stream encoded in 4K or with H.265 does not open. The symptom is usually a black screen, sound only, or the stream starting and stopping immediately. To confirm the source of the problem a comparison should be made with a different player and a different device.
| Symptom | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Black screen, sound present | Codec not supported | Try a different device version or player |
| Stream starts and stops | Hardware decoding insufficient | Turn on hardware acceleration or lower the quality |
| Picture is corrupted | Codec error | Update the device software |
| Only low quality opens | No support for high quality | Lower the quality limit to the level the device supports |
| No channel opens | App and device incompatible | Try a different player |
| Telling similar symptoms apart IPTV not opening and Watching IPTV with VLC articles are covered in detail. |
The role of H.265 in 4K streams
A 4K stream carries roughly four times as much picture data as Full HD. Carrying this data with H.264 requires high bandwidth; H.265 makes 4K streaming possible for a wider audience by delivering the same picture at a lower bitrate. Codec support is therefore a prerequisite for 4K packages; the details are in the 4K IPTV requirements article.
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Bandwidth: 4K streams become more accessible with H.265.
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Device: codec support is essential for watching 4K.
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Package: 4K channels vary with the package coverage.
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Test: a trial on your own device should be made before purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What is H.265 in short?
It is a video codec that compresses more efficiently than H.264 and therefore delivers the same quality at a lower bitrate.
Are HEVC and H.265 the same thing?
Yes, HEVC is another name for the H.265 standard.
Does my device support H.265, and how can I tell?
The technical specifications of the device should list HEVC or H.265 support. If you are not sure, it can be tested by opening a 4K channel.
Does an H.265 stream use less data?
Yes, because it uses a lower bitrate for the same quality, data consumption falls. The values are in the what is bitrate in IPTV article.
Sources
Official sources have been consulted for the technical statements in this article: ITU-T H.265 – High efficiency video coding standard, ITU-T H.264 – Advanced video coding standard. These sources explain how broadcast technology generally works; for service scope and device support, see the relevant package and support pages.
Tags:
4K IPTV Requirements: Speed, Codec and Device Checks
