目前最流行的视频编解码器(video codec)是H.264标准，因为几乎所有媒体设备都支持它。甚至网络上的视频平台也忍不住添加了对这个编解码器的支持，这是有充分理由的。YouTube尽管有自己的，但仍受制于H.264，而且这在未来几年都不会改变。
现在，随着越来越多的竞争对手涌现，希望取代它，我们预计它不会永远成为头号人物。最值得注意的可能是升级版本H.265，也称为HEVC（高效视频编码(High-Efficiency Video Coding)）。
还有H.266编解码器，但与我们刚刚提到的其他编解码器相比，它有很大不同。但是不要担心(Worry)，因为我们将解释每一个，以便您更深入地理解。
1]什么是H.264编解码器
该编解码器自 2009 年以来一直存在，并且在相当长的一段时间内，它一直是标准。该编解码器也称为AVC、MPEG-4 Part 10和VC-1。
这是一种视频压缩标准，旨在以比RAW(RAW)和以前的标准更小的尺寸播放高质量视频。我们知道压缩比是MPEG-2的两倍，这是相当惊人的。与其他标准相比，它承诺提供没有质量损失的高质量内容。
基本上，如果您的文件大小为 88GB，H.264压缩可以将其降低到略高于 800MB。此外，与其他压缩技术相比，低比特率起着重要作用。最后，用户将在必须随时下载或流式传输视频内容时节省时间。
2]什么是H.265/HEVC编解码器
正如您可能从名称中看出的那样，H.265/HEVC是之前的升级版本，旨在将来某个时候取代它。新标准于 2013 年发布，但由于 4K 的兴起，直到现在才获得巨大支持。
随着 4K 电视和显示器变得更加实惠，这无疑将在未来几年继续下去。然而，现在最大的问题是，是什么让 H.265 成为未来？
好吧，如果您在YouTube 上(YouTube)观看 4K 内容，您应该意识到它无法与Bu-Ray光盘上的同一视频相提并论。这在很大程度上是由于H.264压缩，这是较新的编解码器想要解决的问题。
据我们了解，HEVC使用更有效的压缩方法，因此，最终内容将展示更多细节和更少的伪影。我们都想要这个，这就是为什么我们迫不及待地等待更多的硬件制造商支持未来的标准。
现在，H.265/HEVC目前存在一个大问题。你看，如果没有硬件加速(Hardware Acceleration)，它会很慢。如果要在HEVC中解码，则需要功能强大的计算机。Intel 第 6(Intel 6th)代或更新版本以及AMD 第 6(AMD 6th)代或更新版本是您在为HEVC购买计算机时应考虑的CPU(CPUs)。
3]什么是H.266编解码器
世界尚未完全接受H.265作为视频编解码器的新标准，但H.266已被吹捧为所有三种编解码器背后的公司Fraunhofer HHI 。
目前，我们了解到这种新的编解码器，也称为多功能视频编码(Versatile Video Coding)( VVC )，不会比其前身提高视频质量，但预计会减小尺寸。所以从某种意义上说，它与H.265相同，但占用空间更小。
当未来采用H.266编解码器时，来自世界各地的人们在他们喜欢的平台上流式传输 4K 内容可能不会有什么问题。更不用说，它也可以帮助迎来 8K 时代。
我希望这能解释这个主题。
H.264 vs H.265 vs H.266: We explain what they are all about
The most populаr video codec right now is the H.264 standard since almost all media devices support it. Even video platforms on the web can’t help but add support for this codec, and for good reasons. YouTube, despite having its own, is beholden to H.264, and this won’t change for years to come.
Now, we do not expect it to be the top dog forever as more competitors come on the scene in hopes to replace it. The most notable would likely be the upgraded version, H.265, also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding).
There is also the H.266 codec, but it differs a great deal when compared to the others we’ve just mentioned. Worry not, however, because we are going to explain each for your deeper understanding.
1] What is H.264 codec
This codec has been around since 2009, and for quite some time, it has been the standard. The codec is also known as AVC, MPEG-4 Part 10, and VC-1.
It’s a video compression standard that is designed to playback high-quality video at a small size than RAW and previous standards. We understand the compression ratio is twice that of MPEG-2, which is quite astonishing. It promises to provide high-quality content with no quality loss when compared to other standards.
Basically, if your file size is 88GB, H.264 compression can bring it down to a little over 800MB. Additionally, when compared to other compression technologies, low-bit rate plays an important role. In the end, users will save time when having to download or stream video content at any time.
2] What is H.265/HEVC codec
As you might be able to tell from the name, H.265/HEVC is the upgraded version of the previous, and it is designed to replace it at some time in the future. The new standard was released back in 2013, but only now has been getting huge support due to the rise of 4K.
This will no doubt continue in the years to come as 4K televisions and monitors become more affordable. However, the big question right now, is, what makes H.265 the future?
Well, if you watch 4K content on YouTube, you should realize that it doesn’t hold a candle to the same video on a Bu-Ray disc. That is due to H.264 compression for the most part, and that is something the newer codec wants to solve.
From what we’ve come to understand, HEVC uses more efficient compression methods, therefore, the end content will showcase more detail and fewer artifacts. We all want this, which is why we cannot wait for more hardware manufacturers to support the future standard.
Now, there is one big problem with H.265/HEVC right now. You see, it is quite slow if Hardware Acceleration is not in play. If you want to decode in HEVC, then a powerful computer is required. Intel 6th generation or newer, and AMD 6th generation or newer, are the CPUs you should consider when purchasing a computer for HEVC.
3] What is H.266 codec
The world has yet to fully accept H.265 as the new standard where video codecs are concerned, but already H.266 is being touted Fraunhofer HHI, the company behind all three codecs.
At the moment, we understand that this new codec, also known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC), won’t improve video quality over its predecessor, but is expected to reduce the size. So in a sense, it is the same as H.265, but with a smaller footprint.
When the H.266 codec is adopted in the future, people from around the world may have little problems with streaming 4K content on their favorite platforms. Not to mention, it could help usher in the era of 8K as well.
I hope this explains the subject.
