The H.264 video compression standard , also known as MPEG-4 Part 10, Advanced Video Coding, MPEG-4 AVC or AVC video, is an industry standard for video compression that is one of the most frequently used video formats nowadays.
H.264 touches every aspect of our digital lives and the popularity of H.264 continues to grow. You see this codec for example with HD DVDs, HDTV, pay-TV or YouTube videos. And H.264 isn't just limited to consumer electronics. It's also pervasive in business.
It's estimated that by 2025, most conventional video distribution solutions using HDBaseT or other proprietary transmission methods will be replaced by more flexible IP-based systems, as the popularity of H.264 continues to grow.
What is H.264?
H.264 or MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding) is a video coding format for recording and distributing full HD video and audio. It was developed and maintained by the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) with the ISO/IEC JTC1 Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG).
Commonly used for the recording, compression, and distribution of video content, the H.264 format is a network-friendly video transmission method that delivers high-quality images without being a bandwidth hog.
Encoding and Decoding H.264
H.264 works by encoding (converting) HDMI (HD) audio and video signals into an IP stream that can be transmitted over an IP network. On the other end, a decoder converts the signals back to an uncompressed HDMI format. What makes H.264 so versatile is that you can stream video from an encoder to multiple decoders simultaneously. For instance, you can stream one set of video signals to a display, a video wall and a digital signage system all at the same time. Find out more about our HDMI over IP Distribution solution.
H.264 applications - When and Where to use ?
The H.264 video compression format is perfect for AV distribution to one or more video sources (multicasting streams for many displays). Its use can be specially adequate for long-distance transmission of signals using existing wires and infrastructure. It is fast becoming the standard video compression format for the video surveillance world, for example.
It applications can range from outside broadcast (OB vans), energy sector, education, transportation drone video recording for environmental monitoring use as well as Video Wall Processing, Digital Signage Solutions and video conferencing.