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New Apple iPhone models use half the bandwidth for FaceTime thanks to H.265 codec

posted by Alan F. / Sep 12, 2014, 11:24 PM

New Apple iPhone models use half the bandwidth for FaceTime thanks to H.265 codec

A little more than two years ago, we told you that the H.265 codec was coming to mobile phones to replace the current H.264 codec that was then (and still is) employed for video playback on mobile devices. As it turns out, Apple is leading the way on the Apple iPhone 6 and Apple iPhone 6 Plus, with the use of H.265 for coding and decoding of FaceTime over Cellular video. The phones also support the older H.264 codec.

The advantage to using the new codec is that it requires half the bit rate that H.264 needs, to offer the same quality videos. First released as a draft standard by the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) in 2012, H.265 has yet to become widely used on consumer devices. It is speculated that the Apple A8 SoC could contain a specialized encoder/decoder module.

Some experts believe that the use of the H.265 codec could give Apple an leg up over its rivals when it comes to mobile chat. Signals Processing expert Matthew Fleming says, "This has the potential to give Apple a serious advantage in the mobile video calling domain where bandwidth is at a premium."

Apple is using the H.265 codec on its new phones

source: AppleInsider

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Display 4.7" 750 x 1334 pixels

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51 Comments

1. AlikMalix unregistered

Que "android had it for years" posts.

posted on Sep 12, 2014, 11:25 PM 2

3. TheMoltenD

Posts: 109; Member since: Jul 13, 2014

h.265 just recently came out so its impossible for android to have used it for years.

posted on Sep 12, 2014, 11:35 PM 10

10. AlikMalix unregistered

Come to think of it does Android has an All Android equipped Facetime that's integrated into your Phone App? I know there's third party apps, but something you know another Android user has. For example: I know that anyone with iPhone 4 and higher (like 90%) has Facetime, so at anytime I can switch my voice call to Facetime and ask if that's the item they want me to get for example. I dont want to ask each person I want to talk with to download the same App I have just to have a video call.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 12:56 AM 0

20. Napalm_3nema

Posts: 2236; Member since: Jun 14, 2013

I don't use it when I am on Android, but I think Hangouts does it.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 2:15 AM 2

45. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

all samsung phones have always had it from the gs1

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 9:51 AM 1

23. xfire99

Posts: 1207; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

Recently?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Efficiency_Video_Coding Its 2nd edition that released recently.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 2:41 AM 1

30. vincelongman

Posts: 5761; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

The 805 and Exynos 5430 already have hardware encoders for HEVC (h.265) So hardware support on Android has for a few months Also since HEVC was first released in 2013, there are already many media player on Android using software encoders So Android has actually had it for about a year and a half But not widely supported since software encoding uses quite a lot of CPU, so more power consumption

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 4:00 AM 2

44. kevin91202

Posts: 642; Member since: Jun 08, 2014

The 805 does not have an h265 encoder. It has a DECODER. That's entirely different.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 9:50 AM 1

5. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Good to know that iFans know they are years behind, but still "choose" to buy Apple gear. People are judged by their actions, and this is why Apple fans are derided so much.

posted on Sep 12, 2014, 11:48 PM 5

7. strudelz100

Posts: 646; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

Oh I'm sure they are shaking in their boots awaiting your judgement.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 12:08 AM 4

14. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

If they're wearing boots at this time of the year, they likely have bigger problems than their tech choices.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 1:32 AM 0

40. bucky

Posts: 3795; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

I just think the android fans that are so extremely concerned with someone's phone purchase are very insecure

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 8:08 AM 1

18. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

Qualcomm 805, Exynos 5430, Exynos 5433 also has HEVC (or H.265) decoders. And these are not limited to only a single app, you can use them for any supported operations.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 1:48 AM 1

2. AlikMalix unregistered

On a serious note. Love FaceTime, but on a few occasions internet connection isn't so good and making a connection could take a little while: due to less days transfer requirement will it be sharper video or better connection in bad internet area?

posted on Sep 12, 2014, 11:28 PM 0

46. DnB925Art

Posts: 1168; Member since: May 23, 2013

It "should" give it a better connection. The video quality will be the same, but since it uses half the bit rate, it would take a lower bandwith rate (with other factors being equal) to transmit video. Also if you are on a capped data plan ala AT&T and Verizon, then it would be better as well as it uses less data.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 12:20 PM 0

4. amiaq

Posts: 509; Member since: Jun 30, 2012

Too bad, less and less people using it. Anyway a good thing to the remaining hardcore ipongs users.

posted on Sep 12, 2014, 11:42 PM 2

28. nohatenofanboy

Posts: 515; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

lol wait for sale numbers dumb :D

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 3:48 AM 0

36. amiaq

Posts: 509; Member since: Jun 30, 2012

Whatever the number is, i am so glad android rules the market. Less customers for apple. Who's DUMB now?

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 6:34 AM 1

39. HansGoneInsane unregistered

Answer to your question: The system with the users that aren't willing to spend much money.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 7:58 AM 2

6. JakeLee

Posts: 1021; Member since: Nov 02, 2013

That's Apple, gentlemen. New is easy, right is hard. While Android OEMs are busy implemting new techs to simply fill the feature list, Apple establishes working systems around them, setting new trends which are beneficial to consumers. And people like this kind conveniences. Of course, Androtakus can't recognize this and bash Apple for what they decided not to do, NOT what they can't do. After all, they are Androtakus.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 12:00 AM 3

9. register unregistered

You definitely are fakelee as others say.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 12:28 AM 5

16. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

He's pretty insane, but can't say I don't enjoy the entertainment provided by him sticking his foot in his mouth every other day.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 1:34 AM 2

37. Cicero

Posts: 1149; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

The world will be so boring without jake.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 6:38 AM 1

41. tedkord

Posts: 17481; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

You misspelled better.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 8:20 AM 1

11. Ashoaib

Posts: 3309; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

jake, please dont be stupid.... note 4 has h.265 codec.... and it is not a very hard thing to implement it... it is just a codec and can be implement throught software update... I dont think you are techy at you

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 1:15 AM 2

21. JakeLee

Posts: 1021; Member since: Nov 02, 2013

It's a piece of cake to license the IP doing h.265. Anyone with the required money can. Making good use of it is the hard part where Sammy apparently failed.

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 2:20 AM 1

33. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Excuses...excuses...again.... You where like apple is setting standard while android oems add useless specs....but when someone proved you wrong you are finding excuses...lol.... Sammy failed in what???? Ip6 only uses it for facetime...and you are saying sammy failed....

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 4:05 AM 0

34. JakeLee

Posts: 1021; Member since: Nov 02, 2013

Tell me, when and who proved me wrong about what?

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 4:13 AM 1

12. Ashoaib

Posts: 3309; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

plz dont be stupid jake.... H.265 is not a rocket science which is hard to implement... you are not a techy at all if you are praising apple on this minor implementation... it can be implemented through software update... Note 4 has it but no article of samsung's wonderfulness but limitless articles on apple's wonderfulness.... although we all know, including you jakelee that iphone is overly priced midrange phone

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 1:22 AM 3

32. vincelongman

Posts: 5761; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Since HEVC was first released in 2013, there are already many media player on Android using software encoders So Android has actually had it for about a year and a half But not widely supported since software encoding uses quite a lot of CPU, so more power consumption compared with hardware encoding (which is in the newer CPUs, e.g. A8, 805, 615, 8430,...)

posted on Sep 13, 2014, 4:05 AM 1

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