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What is The Storage Difference Between h264, h265 and h265+?

March 24, 2022

Are you looking for a new video surveillance system for your business? Before you seek out the service of a video surveillance company, you need to make sure that there are options for H.264 and H.265 compression storage. Picking a storage option without H.264 or H.265 tech will lead to huge space constraints and additional storage expenses.

The H.264 Storage: What You Need to Know

The H.264 codec is the world’s most popular compression system and the industry standard. This codec is also known as Advanced Video Coding or AVC. Many video industry creators rely on the H.264 codec because of its general compatibility with lots of devices and IP cameras. H.264 codec processing is also fast and smooth, but the resulting video content file might have a bigger size.

The processing efficiency of the H.264 codec depends on the video resolution. Low-res videos have a low bandwidth requirement, but high-res videos (i.e. 1080p and 4K) can reach up to 32 Mbps. If you’re planning to archive low-quality videos, you don’t have to worry about storage limitations. But if you decide to move on to high-quality videos, you will need bigger storage options or solutions.

The H.264 codec utilizes a block-based mechanism to encode video footage properly. Some of the primary features related to the mechanism are frame prediction, motion compensation, macroblock vector usage, and quarter-pixel adjustments. It’s important to know that H.264 builds upon a lossless encoding system, maintaining the original data without adjustments on compression rate.

Prioritizing H.264 compression technology is still an acceptable move for business owners and service providers. However, some experts believe that the video tech industry will gradually move on to the superior H.265 compression system.

Benefits of Getting A Reliable H264 Storage

As a business owner or end-user, you must have a reliable H.264 storage option for all video and footage files. If you have a limited budget, choosing a storage solution with H.264 setup will provide exceptional results for your business.

Aside from affordability, these are the additional benefits of H.264 codec storage:

 Flexible and Customized Solutions

 Companies that offer H.264 codec storage setups usually have solutions that are customized for your home or business needs. As an end-user, you can pick an adequate storage solution along with other useful features. Since the options are customized, you’d have a precise idea regarding the costs of the entire service. Plus, customized H.264 storage systems are designed to help users save money without compromising service quality or speed.

Extensive Device Compatibility

H.264 storage is compatible with many devices, recorders, and streaming equipment. Even if you have low-end equipment, an H.264 storage setup will work efficiently with minor quality adjustments.

Fast Compression Rate and Video Delivery

Many video surveillance providers rely on H.264 tech because of the fast compression rate. The compression speed will even improve if the equipment is high-end or moderately competent at least. H.264 compression tech will also let you handle a large batch of video files within a decent time frame. If your chosen storage doesn’t have H.264 technology, archiving or compressing videos will take a long time to finish!

The H.265 Storage: Advanced Compression Within Your Reach

The H.265 codec is the intended successor of the AVC compression standard. Basically, the H.265 standard – also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) – improves the mechanism of the AVC. This improvement leads to a better compression rate with little variations regarding image quality. Thus, the HEVC technology will result in smaller files and allow users to save money on storage space.

In a way, HEVC compression simply expanded the operating concepts of AVC. The AVC and HEVC standards follow the same process of comparing image frames and making adjustments during the encoding. Some of the most notable improvements are block-based processing quality, enhanced coding tree units, adaptive image filtering, intra-frame prediction (exceeds one billion bytes), and overall operational speed.

One of the challenges of having H.265 technology is the need for high-end encoding equipment. If you have low-end equipment, you might encounter slowdowns during video encoding, processing, or streaming. The best hardware encoders will also set you back by as much as $1,000 and more.

Benefits of Getting H.265 Storage

While the H.264 storage is versatile and affordable, the H.265 storage offers better functionality, speeds, and file compression. An H.265 storage option is often a great choice for business owners with a large-scale video surveillance system that covers multiple locations or a complex operating environment.

 Here are the reasons why you should get HEVC storage:

 Better Storage Savings

 If you’re looking for a way to store high-quality videos without spending too much on space, a dedicated H.265 storage option is better than H.264. The HEVC storage will let you save and compress many videos simultaneously. This capability is essential if you need to review footage from busy locations like parking spaces, transaction areas, and employee work areas.

Negligible Video Quality Loss

HEVC tech utilizes an advanced ‘lossy’ compression mechanism, unlike H.264’s lossless standard. Even though the H.265 technology adjusts the frame quality during compression, the loss is negligible. You will barely notice any drops in frame quality with the additional benefit of small file size. The moderate-quality loss applies to all resolutions.

Dynamic 4K Resolution Support

The H.265 compression tech also offers support for files with 4K resolution. This simply means that you can view high-quality videos and work on them without software limitations. Some H.265 storage systems can even work with 8K UHD resolutions.

H.265+ Storage: The Future of Compression Tech Storage

The H.265+ encoding tech is a complex system developed by a company called HikVision. This system was designed to further improve the capabilities of the HEVC tech and diminish the general bitrate of the H.265 codec. With the means of H.265+ technology, end-users will benefit from high-quality compression results, improved storage savings, and precise video analysis.

The best thing about the H.265+ storage is the reduced bitrate processing. According to HikVision tests, the H.265+ operates at 32% of the HEVC’s bitrate. At this functionality, the resulting file will become smaller and the bandwidth requirement won’t be too high. If you’re working with a large archive of HD videos, the H.265+ storage is an optimal solution.

Benefits of Getting H.265+ Storage

Due to the advanced capabilities of the H.265+ storage, it can be a viable enterprise system with adjustable features and remarkable tech support. However, not all business owners are aware of the H.265+ storage. Most business owners, video creators, and data analytics professionals are comfortable working within the limitations of the H.264 compression tech.

Massive Storage And Required Bandwidth Savings

 The H.265+ technology allows a file size reduction by as much as 60%. If the movie or video cycle doesn’t have full coverage of 24 hours, the file size might become significantly smaller. Therefore, it’s fitting to say that the H.265+ compression is clean, fast, and totally efficient. Over time, the H.265+ technology guarantees impressive storage savings – even better than the options offered by H.265 providers.

Improved Results from Motion Detection Devices

HD surveillance cameras and DVRs have high and complicated hardware requirements. If you’ve invested a large amount in a video surveillance system, then you must offset the cost by having accurate video analytics. You can receive improved analytics with the help of effective, high-quality H.265+ storage. Improved video analytics will give way to better recorded footage interpretation and documentation.

Features Are Easily Upgradeable

Most of the features offered by an H.265+ provider are adaptive and upgradeable. Simply inform the company agent about your home or business location priorities and existing HD camera setups. H.265+ storage is compatible with a wide range of devices and it also offers cloud support.

Technical Comparison Between H.264, H.265, and H.265+

Understanding the technical comparison points between the most popular video compression systems is a great way to maximize your purchase. If you also know the technical features of video compression storage options, you can prioritize the best-customized setups for your home or business.

H.264/AVC Features

  • Approximate Bit Rate Reduction: 45%
  • Approximate Bandwidth Requirement: 32+ Mb/s
  • Common Enterprise Storage: 160 TB
  • Resolution: Up to 4K

H.265/High Efficiency Video Coding Features

  • Approximate Bit Rate Reduction: 60%
  • Approximate Bandwidth Requirement: 15+ Mb/s
  • Common Enterprise Storage: 250 TB
  • Resolution: Up to 8K

H.265+ Features

  • Approximate Bit Rate Reduction: 80%
  • Approximate Bandwidth Requirement: 3+ Mb/s
  • Common Enterprise Storage: 250 TB
  • Resolution: Up to 8K

If you're looking for an easy option that will let you upgrade to H.265+ seamlessly, you can always go for Avigilon HDSM (High-Definition Stream Management). The Avigilon HDSM software focuses on delivering a fast video compression standard and encoding, ultra-high video quality, and diverse compatibility. Even if your budget for a new VSM is limited, Avigilon is ready to offer service packages compatible with H.265 and H.265+ systems.

What is Zip Compression?

Zip compression is the process of compressing raw files into smaller sizes for easy storage or transfer. In the digital world, zip compression is almost an overlooked process that happens automatically. However, in the video industry, zip compression is ten times more important.

Saving a raw video file will eat up a large chunk of your data storage. If you’re running a video surveillance infrastructure with live video streams, raw storage will become a major money sink for your business. Fortunately, you can just get compression storage options under the H.264 (AVC) or H.265 (HEVC) systems.

The difference between H.264 and H.265 systems can be summarized under these points:

  • AVC is the most popular and has greater device support
  • HEVC has a better coding efficiency rate, guaranteeing better data storage savings
  • AVC works with mid-range equipment
  • HEVC works better with advanced equipment and strong processing power
  • H.265+ is the most recent option that supports 8K resolution

Overview: What Is The Storage Space Savings Of HEVC Vs AVC?

Calculating the savings of H.265 storage capacity versus H.264 is an important task for any business owner or end-user. There are numerous factors involved in knowing the accurate storage savings for H.265 or H.264 systems.

Many high-end video surveillance systems rely on H.264 technology because of a strong compression rate. Without H.264 compression, a recording device needs to process uncompressed footage that can reach as high as 45 Gbit/s. You will spend thousands of dollars on a storage capacity system that only handles raw compression. H.264 technology can reduce the storage requirement for video files by more than half the standard of raw footage.

H.265 or HEVC systems guarantee long-term efficiency with better storage savings. A continuous cycle of surveillance footage will only consume approximately 160 TB. This rate depends on various factors like IP and HD camera networks, NVR/DVR connections, equipment quality, and motion-sensitive locations.

Video Management Systems That Support H.265 Technology

Choosing a VMS (Video Management System) that supports H.265 technology is the best choice for your growing business. You don’t have to worry even if your business location has numerous areas that need to be covered because H.265-ready systems will always deliver competitive results.

Here are some VMSes that you can try:

  • GeoVision VMS (Affordable, multi-camera support)
  • Avigilon HDSM (Professional, competitive, and smart features)
  • Genetec (Dynamic affordable features)
  • Axxon Next (Best for SMEs)
  • Hikvision (Strong, easily upgradeable features)
  • ONSSI (Best for centralized security installations)

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning to get H.264 or H.265 storage options, you should always think of your long-term priorities. H.265 compression tech will help you save money within the next three or five years, but you need high-end (or midrange) equipment and significant financial investment. H.264 tech, on the other hand, has a lower barrier of entry but higher storage is needed because of lossless compression.

Contact Mammoth Security today if you need H.265 or H.264 storage for your business!

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