H.264, also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding), is an older and widely used video codec. It provides video compression, although it is less efficient than the more modern HEVC. This codec is compatible with most devices and is suitable for streaming video in 1080p and 4K resolutions, but the resulting file sizes are larger than those of HEVC.
HEVC, or H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding), is a new codec designed to improve compression efficiency. It allows for the same video quality with file sizes approximately 50% smaller than H.264. HEVC is particularly well-suited for 4K, 8K, or high-frame-rate video, but it requires more processing power to decode, so not all older devices can support it.
Explanation of Video Codec Designations
The designation “2K H.264 60P” is a brief summary of the main parameters of the encoded video. “2K” refers to the resolution, which is typically 2048×1080 or 2560×1440 pixels, slightly higher than standard Full HD, while “4K” would be 3840×2160 pixels. “H.264” is the codec used to encode the video. “60P” indicates the number of frames displayed per second, with “P” standing for progressive scan, meaning each frame forms a complete image. This method traces back to the early days of digital video, when minimizing file size was critical, and interlaced recording was used for efficiency.
Example of an explanation of the meaning of codecs
| Parameter | H.264 2K 30P | H.264 2K 60P | H.264 4K 30P | H.264 4K 60P | HEVC 2K 30P | HEVC 2K 60P | HEVC 4K 30P | HEVC 4K 60P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2K (2048×1080 / 2560×1440) | 2K | 4K | 4K | 2K | 2K | 4K | 4K |
| Frame Rate | 30P | 60P | 30P | 60P | 30P | 60P | 30P | 60P |
| Codec | H.264 | H.264 | H.264 | H.264 | HEVC | HEVC | HEVC | HEVC |
| Compression / File Size | Moderate, larger | Moderate, larger | Moderate, very large | Moderate, very large | High, smaller | High, smaller | High, much smaller | High, much smaller |
| Device Compatibility | Very wide | Very wide | Very wide | Very wide | Modern devices | Modern devices | Modern devices | Modern devices |
| Motion Smoothness | Standard | Smooth | Standard | Smooth | Standard | Very smooth | Standard | Very smooth |
| Recommended Use | Streaming, older devices | Sports, gaming | 4K streaming | 4K dynamic content | Space-saving, 2K video | 2K dynamic content | 4K space-saving | 4K dynamic content |
