Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) July 2017 Volume 34, Issue 5 | Page 12

12 July 2017
NEWS & VIEWS

Demystifying HEVC / H . 265 compression standard

HEVC ( high efficiency video codec ) is one of the hottest topics in the industry today and for good reason . Also referred to as H . 265 , it is the latest video compression codec developed by the Motion Pictures Expert Group ( MPEG ) that promises delivery of high-quality pictures using less bandwidth than ever .
As the trend to push content down smaller pipes increases and the demand for higher resolution video , such as 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) continues to grow , HEVC appears to be the answer — claiming up to a 50 % improvement on encoding efficiency over its predecessor , H . 264 .
Both H . 264 and H . 265 work by comparing different parts of a video frame to find the ones that are redundant with subsequent frames in an effort to send less data . H . 265 improves upon H . 264 in several areas including coding tree unit ( CTU ) segmentation , better motion compensation , and spatial prediction .
For content and service providers , offline encoding for pre-recorded content distribution , where latency is not a high priority , and where high compression ratios are key and allow encoders to look ahead into the future , excellent results can be achieved with HEVC — albeit using a lot of compute and delay . In fact , H . 265 can use up to 300 % more compute than H . 264 .
More compute , however , translates into more power consumption and heat dissipation . This is not ideal for live applications such as remote newsgathering , where an encoding and transmission device needs to be highly mobile and power efficient out in the field . This needs to be taken into account when considering the trade-offs between performance and practicality . Furthermore , in a live environment
H . 265 promises to be more efficient than H . 264 and applying it in low-delay , live transmission environments require additional considerations to best leverage its benefits .
Mark Moore , Vice-President International Sales , Dejero
As the trend to push content down smaller pipes increases and the demand for higher resolution video , such as 4K / Ultra HD continues to grow , HEVC appears to be the answer .
where low latency is imperative and challenging network conditions often limit available bandwidth to less than 1Mbps , the priorities of the encoder ’ s job change . In these environments , HEVC would need to be optimised for these severe conditions as opposed to a contribution encoder that might be happy running at 10Mbps .
So with the trade-offs that live remote newsgathering presents , it becomes critical to look beyond what fixed function , hardware-based encoders can deliver and to leverage the efficiencies of H . 265 while applying novel techniques such as real-time adaptive bitrate control and auto transport mode , where resolution and bitrate can be changed on-the-fly within the transmission .
In conclusion , H . 265 promises to be more efficient than H . 264 and applying it in low-delay , live transmission environments require additional considerations to best leverage its benefits .
At the 2017 NAB Show in April , Dejero embraced HEVC by demonstrating a novel implementation of this new compression technology that provides greatly improved picture quality in low bitrate environments , especially when combined with real-time adaptive bitrate control and Dejero ’ s auto transport technology . This combination ensures the best possible picture quality , even in very challenging network conditions . q

4K / UHD and beyond – the new mantra at KOBA 2017

by shirish nadkarni
KOBA is 27 years young . Among the most important trade shows in the Asia-Pacific region , the 27th edition of the Korea International Broadcast , Audio and Lighting Equipment Show ( KOBA ) was based on the theme ‘ To UHD and Beyond ’.
It was not coincidental that the show , co-organised by the Korea Broadcasting Engineers and Technicians Association ( KOBETA ) and Korea E & X , and held at the COEX in central Seoul from May 16-19 this year , was slotted a fortnight before South Korean TV networks were to begin airing all their programmes in 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ).
Accordingly , the exhibition — sprawling over 27,997sqm in three COEX halls , and featuring just over a thousand companies from all over the world , including more than 200 South Korean manufacturers — showcased a wide range of the latest developments in 4K / UHD-related products and services .
A major benefit of KOBA 2017 was that , based on the products and services on display , it allowed visitors to gauge and predict how the so-called ‘ Fourth Industrial Revolution ’ would cause a sea-change in the broadcasting market . Visitors could see for themselves how the core technologies of this ‘ revolution ’, such as robotics , artificial intelligence ( AI ), big data , augmented reality , the Internet of Things ( IoT ), and self-driving vehicles , would affect the broadcasting and communications industry at large .
The International Broadcasting Technology conference , which was held concurrently from May 16-18 as part of KOBA 2017 , was divided into multiple diverse sessions on the themes of 4K / UHD , South Korean- manufactured broadcast equipment , content business , smart media , AI and big data , and media services ; and gave delegates and participants ample opportunities to analyse and forecast developments in broadcast technologies worldwide .
The event also featured a panel debate in anticipation of the official launch of 4K / UHD broadcasting service in South Korea from May 31 . It was widely accepted that 4K / UHD would not only enhance the image quality of broadcasts , but would also make it possible for South Korean companies to provide inter-active IP-based services and allow viewers to receive HD broadcasts on their mobile devices .
As a corollary to the show , there was a Pre-Engineer session , which featured participation by broadcast engineers and technicians with three to five years ’ working experience at South Korea ’ s major broadcasting companies . In what was the third year of holding this session , participants shared vivid accounts of the preparations they made to nail down jobs at broadcasting companies , and what they thought about their current work with an audience made up of young people looking to launch careers in broadcasting .
“ Given the rapidly rising demand for 4K / UHD and high dynamic range ( HDR ) production , we introduced a remarkable line-up of 4K / UHD devices and HDR workflow at this year ’ s show ,” said a spokesperson for Sony Korea . “ With more and more programmes being broadcast via IP , it will also be critical
The 27th edition of the Korea International Broadcast , Audio and Lighting Equipment Show ( KOBA ), held in Seoul from May 16-19 this year , was based on the theme ‘ To UHD and Beyond ’.