… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1629: What is the VVC Codec

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Versatile Video Coding was finalized July 6, 2020, rolling out early 2021.

The VVC codec is promoted as the successor to HEVC. (And HEVC is currently not predicted to achieve the success of H.264 – see Tip #1623). But what is it?

Versatile Video Coding (VVC), also called H.266, is a brand-new video compression technology that is under current development to help reduce video size while not sacrificing image quality…. The VVC codec is especially designed to aid in the smoothness of higher-quality video services such as 360° omnidirectional immersive multimedia, high-dynamic-range (HDR) video and conventional dynamic range video. (5KPlayer.com )

NOTE: How large are HD video files without compression? A 1080p 30fps video, would require bandwidth of 1423.82 Mbps! To stream a second of 4K video, bandwidth aproaches 6 Gbps!!

Compared with royalty-free video coding formats like AVI and VP9, the H.26x series, including H.266, H.265, H.264, etc., are proprietary with numbers of patent pool administrators.

Normally, one of the reasons that a new video coding standard is worth spreading is due to improvement of the video compression algorithm. The higher the compression ratio, the less the bit rate for data transmission, the smaller the file size would be. Given that, what are the benefits of H.266?

• H.266 comes with new algorithm, 30% to 50% higher compression rate for the same video quality than HEVC. A video file encoded in VVC therefore would be much smaller than in HEVC, let alone one compressed using H.264 (AVC).
• In terms of quality, H.266 so good that barely any cother odec can match it at the same data rate.
• VVC is better for streaming UHD content in 4K, 8K and even 16K on TV.
• Better support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 360° video.

Here’s a link with more details , written for non-engineers.