NTT Develops World's Highest-level Compression Software Encoding Engine Fully Compliant with Next-gen "HEVC/H.265" Video Coding Standard, Rolls Out "HEVC-1000 SDK" Codec Development Kit

TOKYO, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Supports Development of High-quality Video over LTE Mobile Links & 4K Video Streaming Systems --

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) has developed compression software (an encoder engine) with the world's highest-level compression performance that is fully compliant with the  Main/Main10 profile of the next-generation "H.265/HEVC" (High Efficiency Video Coding) *(1) video coding standard.

*(1) H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding):
The ITU-T standard was ratified at the end of April 2013.

The H.265/HEVC standard delivers a twofold improvement in compression efficiency compared to the prevailing H.264/AVC *(2) standard in handling compression of video data. Using a unique proprietary technology, NTT has demonstrated a 2.5 times bandwidth saving at its maximum performance, thus holding the record for the highest practical-level compression ever achieved. This means we are able to slash the required bit rate by 60% compared to the legacy H.264 standard, without any loss of picture quality.

*(2) H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding):
A video compression standard developed through ITU/ISO collaboration. Typical applications of the H.264 compression scheme include Blu-ray discs and broadcasting for mobile phones (ONE-SEG).

The H.265 technology will ease mobile data congestion, hold down network operator investment costs, provide users with higher definition content even on bandwidth-constrained networks, and promises to deliver high-quality video streaming over LTE lines, and 4K video streaming over IPTV and other next-gen video services.

Acquiring the H.265 encoding technology from NTT, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation (NTT-AT) rolled out the RealFeel series HEVC software codec development kit "HEVC-1000 SDK" to domestic and global markets on August 8 (Thursday), 2013.

With this development kit, engineers have access to the latest HEVC standard in developing  applications that conform to the highest-level compression performance that is available. Certainly, NTT-AT believes the SDK will bolster our domestic and international market share for video conversion  application engines needed to produce content. Also, by bringing the kit out at this early date, we hope to further expand the market for video streaming which requires better picture quality accompanied by higher rates of compression. This will open the way to video streaming to smart phones and other mobile devices over LTE and other fast links, and to 4K video streaming that is currently getting a lot of worldwide exposure.

See the website for the development background, development outcomes, and product overviews of the HEVC/H.265 encoder engine and HEVC-1000 SDK development kit. 

NTT:http://www.ntt.co.jp/news2013/1308e/130808a.html
NTT-AT:http://www.ntt-at.com/product/rfs_hevc_sdk/

About NTT
Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroo Unoura

About NTT-AT
Headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takashi Hanazawa

Contact (about encoder engine):
Katsumi Inaba
Public Relations
NTT Service Integration Laboratories,
Tel: +81-46-859-2032
E-mail: randd@lab.ntt.co.jp

Contact (about HEVC-1000 SDK development kit):
Mayumi Yamashita
International Business Division US Office
NTT Advanced Technology Corporation
Tel: +1-408-392-4280
E-mail: codec_sales@ntt-at.com