New Codec to Cut Streaming Data Use

A new video encoding standard, H.266, has be unveiled, and promises to cut data use by at least a half. Negotiations and development have taken 3 years.

The codec, also known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC), should make it possible for slower internet connections to stream in higher quality, as well as paving the way for streaming services to offer even higher quality 8K content.

The longer term aim us that cameras and smartphones will be able to automatically play and record footage in the new format. However, this will require new chips to be developed.

H.266 has been designed to half the bit rate required, when compared to the current H.265 standard. H.265 uses half the bit rate of its predecessor H.264, with the latter still widely used.