H.264 vs H.265: What's the Difference?

H.264 and H.265: What are they? Which one is better? In camera recording formats, we often come across H.264 and H.265. But what do they really mean?

Some argue that H.264 is more versatile and superior. Others claim that H.265 offers more advanced encoding, allowing for longer videos with smaller storage requirements and better image quality compared to H.264.

By now, you may have various questions about H.264 vs H.265. In this article, we aim to shed light on the differences between these two video encoding formats, so let's dive in and get started.

In this article, you will learn:

1. Why Do We Need Video Encoding?
2. What Is a Video Codec?
3. What Is the H.264 (AVC)?
4. What Is the H.265(HEVC)?
5. H.264 Vs H.265: What Are the Difference?
6. H.264 Vs H.265: What One Is Better?
7. Frequently Asked Questions About H.264 Vs H.265
8. Final Thoughts About H.264 Vs H.265

Why Do We Need Video Encoding?

In a nutshell, video encoding is necessary to compress videos and reduce the demand for transmission bandwidth and storage space.

As you know, videos are composed of images. Let's take a single image as an example. If you want to view a high-definition image with a resolution of 1920x1080, you would need a total of 1920x1080x8x3 bits.

Here, 1920x1080 represents the number of pixels, 3 represents the RGB values, and 8 bits represent the size of each pixel value. So, for one image, the total size comes out to be around 47MB.

Now, what about watching a video with a resolution of 1920x1080? Nowadays, videos are generally recorded at 30 frames per second (fps).

If you do a rough calculation, you would need 30 frames of 47MB-sized images per second. This adds up to approximately 1.4GB of bandwidth.

It's not hard to see that video signals contain an enormous amount of information, which clearly exceeds the capabilities of today's networks. Therefore, video compression encoding is essential to transmit videos over networks while saving transmission bandwidth and storage space.

What Is a Video Codec?

A video codec is a magic tool that makes video files smaller and better. It can squeeze a lot of data into a tiny space, so you can watch videos online or save them on your device without any trouble.

A video codec can also make videos look good and play smoothly. It can fix the errors and glitches that happen when you make a video file smaller. Without a video codec, videos would be huge, slow, and ugly.

There are many kinds of video codecs, but the two most popular ones are H.264 and H.265. They are like the kings of video codecs. They are used by many websites and apps that show videos, like Netflix and YouTube.

What Is the H.264 (AVC)?

H.264 is a way of making video files smaller without losing much quality. It is also called AVC or MPEG-4. It works well for playing videos online or saving them on disks like DVDs or Blu-ray.

Because Apple made the bold decision to abandon Adobe's VP6 encoding and choose H.264, this standard has entered millions of households along with hundreds of millions of iPads and iPhones. It has become the absolute leader in the field of video encoding, with a market share of over 80%.

H.264 can make videos look good even at low speeds. It can handle very high-quality videos with different colors and brightness levels. It can also work with different types of video, such as those from TV shows.

H.264 divides each video picture into small blocks (up to 16x16 pixels). It then compares the blocks with the previous and next pictures to find the best way to save them.

When the video is played, the blocks are put back together using the same comparisons. This makes the video look smooth and clear.

The primary benefit of H.264 is its superior data compression rate. Under the same image quality conditions, H.264 offers a compression ratio that is over twice that of MPEG-2 and 1.5 to 2 times that of MPEG-4.

For example, if the size of the original file is 100GB, compressing it using the MPEG-2 standard reduces it to 4GB, with a compression ratio of 25:1. However, using the H.264 compression standard reduces it to 980MB, achieving an astonishing compression ratio of 102:1, from 100GB down to 980MB.

The high compression ratio of H.264 plays a crucial role in low-bit-rate applications. Compared to compression technologies like MPEG-2 and MPEG-4ASP, H.264 significantly saves users' download time and data usage fees.

It is worth mentioning that H.264 not only offers a high compression ratio but also delivers high-quality, smooth images. This is why video data compressed with H.264 requires less bandwidth during network transmission, making it more economical.

What Is the H.265(HEVC)?

H.265 is a new way of making video files smaller and better. It is also called HEVC or MPEG-H Part 2. It is better than the old way, H.264 or AVC, because it can save more details and colors with less space.

H.265 can make videos that are very high-quality, up to 8K, and have more brightness and contrast. It can also handle fast-moving videos very well. It is great for watching videos online or on devices.

H.265 does not use fixed blocks to save video pictures. It uses flexible units that can change size and shape. This makes it more smart and accurate.

H.265 needs more powerful devices to work, but it also uses less internet and energy. It is the future of video compression.

Due to algorithm optimization, H.264 can achieve standard definition digital image transmission at speeds below 1Mbps. On the other hand, H.265 enables the transmission of 720P (resolution 1280*720) regular high-definition audio and video using a transmission speed of 1-2Mbps.

H.265 allows for higher-quality network video transmission with limited bandwidth, requiring only half the bandwidth to play the same quality video. This implies that our mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets will have the capability to directly stream videos online in full HD 1080p.

The H.265 standard also supports ultra-high definition videos such as 4K (4096×2160) and 8K (8192×4320). It can be said that the H.265 standard keeps up with the "high-resolution" trend in display screens.

H.264 Vs H.265: What Are the Difference?

H.264 and H.265 are two ways of making video files smaller and better. They both can save space and bandwidth while keeping the video quality high.

• H.264 is an old way that many people use and like. It works well for most videos and devices. It is good for streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.
• H.265 is a new way that is even better than H.264. It can make video files half as big as H.264 with the same quality. It can also handle very high-quality videos with more details and clarity.

But H.265 is not as easy to get along with as H.264. It needs more power and time to work. It is not as popular as H.264 and may not be compatible with some devices.

	H.264 (AVC)	H.265 (HEVC)
Supported Container Formats	MKV、MP4、QTFF、ASF、AVI、MXF、PS、TS、M2TS、EVO、3GP、F4V	MKV、MP4、QTFF、ASF、AVI、MXF、PS、TS、3GP
Intra-frame Prediction	9 Modes	35 Modes
Motion Compensation Techniques	Motion Prediction	Advanced Motion Prediction
Color Depth	8 Bit	10 Bit

From the table above, you can conclude that in most aspects, H.265 is superior to H.264. It requires half the bandwidth of H.264 while maintaining the same video quality.

So, which way should you choose? It depends on what you need. If you want a fast and simple way to make video files, H.264 may be better for you. If you want a more advanced and efficient way to make video files, H.265 may be better for you. No matter what you choose, you can enjoy great video quality.

H.264 Vs H.265: What One Is Better?

H.264 and H.265 are two methods to make video files smaller and better. They both save space and bandwidth while maintaining high video quality.

H.264 and H.265 have their pros and cons. Which one is best for you depends on your needs. But you can try both methods and see which one you prefer.

However, when considering performance alone, H.265 outperforms H.264. H.265/HEVC offers a wider range of tools for bitrate reduction compared to H.264/AVC.

As we said above, the coding units of H.265/HEVC are larger in areas with less information (color changes are not obvious, such as the gray part of the ground), and the codewords are fewer after encoding, while the areas with more details are divided into smaller and more macroblocks, and the codewords are more after encoding.

This is equivalent to encoding the image with focus, thereby reducing the overall bitrate and improving the encoding efficiency.

At the same time, H.265's intra-frame prediction mode supports 33 directions (H.264 only supports 8) and provides better motion compensation processing and vector prediction methods.

According to many quality tests, H.265 can shrink the video stream size by 39-44% compared to H.264. However, this may vary depending on how the quality is measured.

People who watch videos encoded by H.265 can also notice the difference. They can enjoy similar or better video quality with 51-74% less bitrate than H.264.

H.265 and H.264 have some common features, but the main difference is that H.265 can save more bandwidth for the same service. The downside is that H.265 videos need more computing power to decode.

Frequently Asked Questions About H.264 Vs H.265

1. What Are the Differences Between H.264 and H.265?

H.264 and H.265 are video compression standards that reduce video file size without sacrificing quality.

H.265 is more efficient than H.264, offering better compression or higher quality at the same bitrate. It supports higher resolutions and frame rates, making it ideal for 4K and HD content. However, H.265 requires more processing power and may not be compatible with all devices and platforms.

2. Which Is More Suitable on a Video Platform, H.264 or H.265?

H.265 is more suitable for a video platform. It offers better compression and higher quality at the same bitrate compared to H.264. This means that you can achieve smaller file sizes and better video quality with H.265. 

However, it's important to consider the compatibility of devices and platforms, as H.265 requires more processing power for encoding and decoding.

3. Which Is More Suitable For Video Editing, H.264 or H.265?

H.265 is more apt for video editing as it provides superior data compression efficiency. This means you can notably diminish the file sizes while importing and exporting.

4. Is It Worth Converting From H.264 to H.265?

It depends on your specific needs. H.265 offers better compression and potentially higher quality at the same bitrate compared to H.264. If reducing file size and conserving bandwidth are important to you, it may be worth considering a conversion to H.265.

However, keep in mind that H.265 may require more processing power and may not be compatible with all devices and platforms.

If your current videos are already in H.264 and you don't have specific requirements for smaller file sizes or improved quality, you may not need to convert to H.265.

5. Does H.265 Use More CPU?

Yes, H.265 utilizes more CPU and requires more powerful hardware compared to H.264. Additionally, it still lacks widespread support from devices and browsers as compared to H.264.

Final Thoughts About H.264 Vs H.265

For most people, the difference between H.264 and H.265 is as follows: for videos of the same duration and specifications, H.264 files are larger but relatively easier to play and edit. H.265 files are smaller but require higher computer specifications for playback and editing.

Especially if your graphics card does not support hardware decoding of H.265, working with H.265 can be a nightmare because relying solely on CPU processing is often insufficient. This is why H.264 is considered more versatile.

However, times have changed. It has been over 10 years since the release of the H.265 encoding format, and in recent years, many CPUs' integrated graphics have started to support H.265 hardware decoding.

As for discrete graphics cards, it can be seen that both NVIDIA and AMD have released many models that support H.265 hardware decoding.

So, now that many integrated and discrete graphics cards support H.265, does it mean you don't need to worry about whether the camera records in H.265 or H.264? 

The answer is no. Supporting hardware decoding only facilitates the encoding of H.265, but it does not guarantee smooth editing of H.265. 

The smoothness of editing depends on the CPU specifications, graphics card performance, memory specifications, hard drive performance, etc., especially when dealing with 4K resolution footage recorded by a camera, hardware configuration is still crucial.

Product Recommendation:

In conclusion, when it comes to the H.264 vs H.265 debate, it's important to consider the specific needs and preferences of your video editing workflow. Both codecs have their advantages and are widely used.

However, regardless of which codec you choose, there's one tool that can greatly enhance your video editing experience - TourBox.

TourBox is a game-changer when it comes to video editing. This compact and intuitive controller is specifically designed to streamline your workflow, allowing you to effortlessly navigate through timelines, adjust parameters, and perform various editing tasks with precision and efficiency.

Whether you're a professional video editor or an aspiring content creator, TourBox is the perfect companion for your video editing journey. Its ergonomic design and seamless integration with popular editing software make it a must-have tool that will greatly enhance your productivity and creativity.

And that concludes our article on H.264 vs H.265. We hope it has been helpful to you.