HEVC has significantly more tools to achieve higher video compression ratios than it’s predecessors, it’s key benefit is bandwidth reduction, targeting a 50% reduction in bit rate versus today’s MPEG-4 AVC benchmark at comparable video quality when fully developed.

1. HEVC in Focus
The next wave in video

2. The HEVC Quest: lower
bandwidth, higher quality.
WHAT IS HEVC?
High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is the latest standard aimed at dramatically improving the compression
efficiency of video streams for resolutions from Mobile to Ultra-HD. It has been jointly developed by the ISO/IEC
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG), the same groups that
previously developed H.222/262/MPEG-2 and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. It’s formal name is ISO/IEC 23008-2 MPEG-H
Part 2 and ITU-T H.265.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HEVC?
HEVC has significantly more tools to achieve higher compression ratios than it’s predecessors, it’s key benefit is
bandwidth reduction, targeting a 50% reduction in bit rate versus today’s MPEG-4 AVC benchmark at comparable
video quality when fully developed. In applications where minimizing video bandwidth per stream is not the highest
priority, HEVC can be used to significantly improve video quality at the same bit rate as its predecessors. In either
case, HEVC meaningfully reduces the cost of delivering video versus all other methods, achieving quick pay-back
from deployment due to reduced OPEX and CAPEX.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HEVC can implement a more complex coding scheme than it’s predecessors and has been specifically optimized
to run on parallel processor architectures. Simplistically, HEVC achieves higher efficiency over predecessor MPEG
standards, using H.264/MPEG-4 AVC as a starting point, but with new toolset options and increased capability to
vary block size according to the content to better manage bit rate allocation over the complete picture. Of course
there’s more to it than that, but that’s the core concept.
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3. HOW WILL HEVC BE USED?
Ultimately, the efficiencies of HEVC mean that it will be used throughout video delivery infrastructures. However, this
will not happen overnight. Like MPEG-4 AVC, we expect to see a multi-year path driven by pragmatic deployments
where implementation is simpler, economics are most compelling, or bandwidth availability drives fundamental
service attributes. Within 2013, initial deployments will focus on OTT/Multiscreen applications where bandwidth
is often restricted and the infrastructure is more flexible as end-points can be software-updated to decode HEVC.
Linear TV deployments will also begin with IPTV/OTT applications followed by distribution and contribution in 2014.
Typical set-top boxes are non-HEVC compatible in hardware and must be changed for support.
WHO IS THE LEADER IN HEVC?
Harmonic. There are lots of press releases and science projects in this space, but only Harmonic has both demonstrated
the technology and delivered the specific product roadmap to enable it’s customers to predictably leverage this
exciting technology for service differentiation. With a track record of delivering technology that’s ready for service in
scale, Harmonic is the ideal partner in HEVC.
SUPPORT FROM MOBILE
TO ULTRA HD TODAY
Harmonic has announced support for HEVC within its
market-leading ProMedia solution. ProMedia Live
supports live streaming from Mobile to HD for realtime video to software clients on smartphones, tablets,
computers, gaming and streaming-player consoles.
This capability will be extended to allow ProMedia to
support resolutions up-to and including Ultra HD.
Promedia Xpress brings Harmonic’s quality/performance
leadership to file transcoding by adding HEVC and
allowing efficient handling of all types of content,
including Ultra HD for on-demand streaming, again
to software decode clients.
Sports drive demand for
better video quality.
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4. WHY HARMONIC?
The world’s leading broadcasters trust Harmonic because we’re there for them over the long haul. Harmonic is the
largest pure-play video delivery infrastructure company. We’re the best of the big; low risk, scale, momentum,
resources to deliver on our promises, without the downside of being too big to listen or move fast. We’re the best
of the small; agile, innovative, attentive, with laser-like focus on our customers, without the downsides of instability,
limited resources or limited scope.
GLOBAL SERVICES
Harmonic is a partner to its customers worldwide and delivers its solutions with comprehensive service and support
programs, including system design, service deployment, technical support, and a wide array of professional services.
With world-class service plans, a global network of local support professionals, and over 1,800 customers on six
continents in 110 countries, Harmonic provides a flexible and responsive team that our customers rely on to maintain
video infrastructures at every level of complexity. Everything we make is backed globally by 24/7/365 services and
expertise that’s second to none
Harmonic’s industry-wide reputation for service and support excellence is based on our dedication to providing an
outstanding level of service. By being there for our customers at every stage from ideation to ongoing maintenance
of their facilities, we’re regarded as a trusted partner to many of the world’s leading media companies—helping
them to create, deploy, deliver, and maintain their critical video system infrastructures.
PARTNERS
Harmonic maintains a network of expert technology and integration partners globally to maximize the flexibility
and availability of solutions available to customers. For more information visit www.harmonicinc.com
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