HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, or H.265) and VVC (Versatile Video Coding, or H.266) are video compression standards that will revolutionise the way we consume high-definition content. They have been crucial in making Ultra HD and 8K broadcasting a reality by addressing the bandwidth limitations inherent in transmitting such high-resolution video signals.
1. Compression Efficiency: The Cornerstone of UHD and 8K
The most significant contribution of HEVC and VVC is their superior compression efficiency. These standards achieve this by employing sophisticated algorithms. These identify and eliminate redundant data in video signals without compromising perceived visual quality. VVC, the latest standard, builds upon HEVC and delivers an impressive 50% bitrate reduction for the same perceived quality . Broadcasters can now deliver the same level of visual quality using half the bandwidth. Conversely, significantly enhance the visual quality while maintaining the same bitrate.
This efficiency is paramount for UHD and 8K broadcasting, which require substantially more bandwidth compared to standard HD. For instance, an uncompressed 8K video signal at 60 frames per second can demand bitrates exceeding 100 Gbps. This makes it practically impossible to transmit using conventional methods. HEVC and VVC make UHD and 8K broadcasting feasible by bringing these bitrates down to manageable levels
2. SES/ATEME VVC Broadcast Trial
The SES/ATEME VVC broadcast trial of June 2020 was a groundbreaking event that demonstrated the feasibility of using the new VVC (Versatile Video Coding) standard for satellite broadcasting. It showcased the potential of VVC to deliver high-quality UHD (4K) content with optimized bandwidth efficiency
Collaboration and Partners:
The trial was a collaborative effort between several industry leaders:
- SES: A leading satellite operator, responsible for broadcasting the VVC-encoded signal.
- ATEME: ( video delivery solutions), contributed their TITAN Live video processing platform for encoding the UHD source with VVC.
- VideoLabs: A company involved in video technology development.
- IETR: A research institute that developed the OpenVVC decoder used on the receiving end.
Trial Setup and Process:
The trial involved transmitting a live UHD (4K) video stream encoded using the VVC standard. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Encoding: ATEME’s TITAN Live platform encoded the UHD source using the VVC codec and encapsulated it in an MPEG-TS Stream
- Modulation and Transmission: The encoded stream was modulated using DVB-S2, a digital video broadcasting standard for satellite. It was transmitted by SES on an Astra 2E transponder. The signal covered the whole of Europe.
- Reception and Decoding: On the receiving end, the signal was demodulated by a DVB to IP gateway. Then forwarded to a VLC player. The player displayed the video using IETR’s real-time OpenVVC decoder.
Key Outcomes and Observations:
- Successful VVC Broadcast: The trial successfully demonstrated the transmission and reception of a VVC-encoded satellite signal. It marked SES as the first satellite operator to achieve this milestone.
- VVC Performance Validation: The trial provided evidence of VVC’s ability to deliver high-quality 4K content with optimized bandwidth efficiency.
- ATEME demonstrated that VVC is ready for market entry in terms of encoding. But widespread use relies on the development of VVC decoding chipsets for consumer devices, expected in one to two years.
Significance and Implications:
The SES/ATEME VVC trial holds significant implications for the future of satellite broadcasting:
- Increased Capacity and Efficiency: VVC’s superior compression could enable satellite operators to offer more channels or deliver higher resolution content within the same bandwidth.
- These Improvements potentially reduce transmission costs.
- They also could translate into a more immersive and visually appealing experience for viewers.
- Support for Emerging Formats: VVC’s versatility and potential to handle formats like VR and AR could pave the way for broadcasting innovative and engaging content via satellite.
Challenges and Considerations:
- Receiver Compatibility: Wider adoption of VVC depends on the availability of compatible receivers. The trial highlighted the need for decoder chipsets to be integrated into consumer devices like TVs and set-top boxes, which could take time.
- Consumer Demand and Content Availability: While VVC offers technical advantages, the acceleration of UHD broadcasting ultimately relies on consumer willingness to pay for higher-quality content and the availability of compelling content in these formats.
Overall Impact:
The SES/ATEME VVC broadcast trial was a significant step towards showcasing the potential of VVC to revolutionize satellite broadcasting. Its success indicates a promising future for delivering higher quality, more diverse, and immersive content to viewers via satellite. see BroadcastNews
3. HEVC and VVC Enables 4K Terrestrial Broadcasts and 8K Streaming
The efficiency of VVC has opened up new possibilities for UHD and 8K broadcasting. It has made 4K services over terrestrial networks viable, overcoming the bandwidth constraints that posed challenges for HEVC. This development is significant because it enables wider 4K adoption by making it accessible to viewers who rely on terrestrial broadcasting.
Additionally, VVC makes 8K broadcasting a more realistic proposition, particularly for streaming services that can leverage its content-aware encoding capabilities. Content-aware encoding analyzes the unique characteristics of the video content and adjusts the compression process accordingly, maximizing both bandwidth utilization and visual quality. This adaptability is especially valuable for streaming services, where bandwidth availability can vary significantly.
4. Beyond Resolution: Supporting UHD and 8K Features
HEVC and VVC go beyond simply enabling higher resolutions; they support a range of features that enrich the UHD and 8K viewing experience:
●High Dynamic Range (HDR): HDR significantly expands the range of colors and contrast, resulting in more realistic and immersive visuals. Both HEVC and VVC can handle HDR content, but VVC takes it a step further by making all its coding tools applicable to both SDR and HDR video, allowing for a more unified and efficient compression process.
●Wide Color Gamut (WGC): WGC allows for a broader spectrum of colors to be displayed, leading to more vibrant and accurate color reproduction. Both HEVC and VVC support WGC, ensuring that UHD and 8K content can be displayed with the intended richness of color.
●High Frame Rate (HFR): HEVC and VVC can handle higher frame rates, such as 100/120Hz, which results in smoother motion, especially for fast-paced content like sports or action movies.
5. Facilitating Personalized and Inclusive Viewing
VVC’s features, particularly content-aware encoding, allow broadcasters to offer viewers more personalized and inclusive experiences. Content-aware encoding enables broadcasters to optimize video delivery based on the specific characteristics of the content, such as genre, motion complexity, and color palette. This level of customization ensures efficient bandwidth usage and provides an optimal viewing experience tailored to the content being watched.
6. Industry Adoption: A Testament to HEVC and VVC’s Impact
The widespread adoption of HEVC and VVC in broadcasting standards reflects their transformative potential:
●ATSC 3.0: The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) plans to include VVC in its ATSC 3.0 standard, recognizing its capability to enhance next-generation television services
●DVB: The Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) project has integrated VVC into its codec toolbox. DVB’s adoption is driven by VVC’s ability to deliver 8K video over legacy broadcast networks with excellent quality and its potential to increase the number of 4K services within existing bandwidth limitations
●SBTVD TV 3.0: Brazil’s Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão Digital (Fórum SBTVD) selected VVC as the primary video codec for their upcoming TV 3.0 standard. This decision highlights VVC’s support for native HDR/WGC, HFR, and its ability to efficiently deliver 4K and 8K content
●3GPP SA4: While not a broadcasting standard itself, 3GPP, responsible for mobile communication standards, has conducted extensive performance analysis on VVC and recognizes its superior characteristics compared to other video coding technologies, including HEVC
7. Benefits for the Broadcasting Ecosystem
The adoption of HEVC and VVC offers benefits for both broadcasters and viewers:
For Broadcasters:
●Reduced Transmission Costs: Efficient compression minimizes the bandwidth required for UHD and 8K, leading to cost savings on satellite transponder usage or terrestrial network infrastructure
●Increased Channel Capacity: Within a given bandwidth, broadcasters can offer more channels or deliver higher-quality services, optimizing spectrum utilization
●Opportunities for Innovation: HEVC and VVC enable innovative services, including 8K broadcasting and 4K terrestrial broadcasts, opening up new revenue streams and enhancing viewer engagement
For Viewers:
●Enhanced Visual Quality: HEVC and VVC deliver sharper images with finer details, smoother motion, and richer colors, particularly for UHD and 8K content
●Greater Content Choices: Efficient compression makes transmitting a wider variety of content, including more 4K and 8K programming, feasible, expanding viewers’ entertainment options
8. Challenges and Future Considerations
Despite their transformative potential, the adoption of HEVC and VVC presents some challenges:
●Receiver Compatibility: Ensuring compatibility with existing and new receivers is crucial. Clear implementation guidelines are necessary to ensure a smooth transition for viewers
●Complexity and Cost: Implementing HEVC and VVC requires sophisticated encoding and decoding hardware and software, which can be expensive, especially in the early stages .
●Evolving Standards: The field of video compression is constantly evolving. Broadcasters need to stay updated on new standards and plan for future upgrades to remain competitive.
Conclusion
HEVC and VVC are crucial to the evolution of Ultra HD and 8K broadcasting. They address bandwidth challenges, enhance visual quality, and open doors to innovative services, creating a more captivating television landscape. However, the industry must continue to address the challenges of receiver compatibility, cost, and the evolving nature of video compression standards to ensure the widespread success of UHD and 8K broadcasting. Today’s HEVC tvs are not compatible with VVC, introducing a possible delay of 1 to 2 year before the availability of VVC decoding chipsets are ready.
Information Sources:
- MCIF_VVC_guidelines_NAB_r13
- SES.com
- Versatile Video Coding – Media Coding Industry Forum
- Broadcast Pro ME