Understand MPEG-4, HEVC 8Bits, and 10 Bits in Set-Top Box?

High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, is a video compression standard that provides better compression quality than its predecessor H.264. Likewise “10 bits” and “8 bits” may well refer to the color depth used in video encoding.

HEVC 10 bits set-top box –

Best Colors –

When a satellite TV channel supports 10 bits for red, green, and blue, it provides a larger color gamut and better accuracy. It looks exactly as if an object is placed in front.

Actual picture –

It offers a broader palette with a greater depth of color Its picture quality provides realistic gradients. Higher bits are always especially beneficial for HDR content, which results in more subtle and accurate picture quality of brightness and color variations in high-contrast scenes.

Bandwidth –

10-bit video requires more bandwidth than 8-bit video.

HEVC 8 bits set-top box:

Best Colors –

HEVC supports 8 bits per channel for red, green, and blue.

Actual picture –

HEVC 8-bit Most content is encoded with HEVC 8-bit. An 8-bit set-top box can display this content without any problems. But the picture quality is less than HEVC 10 bits but better than MPEG-4.

Bandwidth –

8-bit video requires less data bandwidth than 10-bit video. So these seem to be the main differences between HEVC 8Bits and HEVC 10bits but let’s consider a few more factors while we’re talking.

Material Availability –

If you have content encoded in 8 bits and 10 bits, you will need a 10-bit set-top box. But a set-top box supporting 8 bits will not be able to show a 10bits picture because its hardware cannot decode that picture quality.

Monitor or TV display –

If your TV or monitor display supports 10-bit then you can experience the true picture quality of true HEVC 10Bits or HDR 10Bits.

Price difference –

Of course, new technology is always more expensive than old technology. Currently, four types of set-top boxes are available in India. Such as –

• HEVC 10Bits Set-Top Box
• HEVC 8Bits Set-Top Box
• MPEG-4 Set-Top Box
• MPEG-2 Set-Top Box

10-bit hardware may be more expensive than 8-bit hardware. Consider according to your budget. We hope, now you understand which set-top box should buy. Also Read: Compare MPEG-2/MPEG-4 and HEVC Set-Top Boxes.