Streaming video platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus have revolutionized the way we access content, providing convenience and eliminating the need for torrent downloads or leaving our homes. However, when it comes to enjoying the best video quality on a computer, not all browsers are created equal.
The H.264 codec has been widely used since the advent of YouTube, and it has evolved over time to the current H.265 codec. The upcoming H.266 codec will represent the next generation, although its widespread implementation is still some time away.
The key difference between the H.264 and H.265 codecs lies in the bandwidth required to transmit content. The H.265 codec, also known as HEVC, is significantly more efficient in this regard, occupying less than half the bandwidth. As a result, video transmissions over the Internet become smoother, allowing for the best possible quality.
Furthermore, the H.265 codec offers the advantage of maintaining quality while consuming less bandwidth. This means that higher quality can be achieved with less than half the bandwidth required by the H.264 codec.
Smartphone manufacturers have also recognized the benefits of this compression technology and have implemented it in their video recordings. By using the H.265 codec, they can maintain video quality while considerably reducing the space occupied by recorded videos on the device.
Browsers that support H.265
When considering the browser market share, the top contenders are Chrome, Safari, and Edge, ranked in descending order. Safari and Edge have already incorporated support for the H.265 codec over a year ago. However, Chrome, Google’s browser, only implemented support for this codec in the later part of last year.
As of now, Firefox still does not provide support for the H.265 codec, continuing to use the H.264 codec instead. This does not necessarily mean that the streaming video platforms’ video quality is significantly lower on Firefox compared to browsers with H.265 support. However, it does mean that videos may consume more bandwidth, and if our internet connection is not very fast, it could potentially impact the playback quality.
What video codecs do streaming video platforms use?
Understanding the codec compatibility of popular streaming video platforms is crucial. Here are the codecs used by different platforms:
- Netflix: Netflix utilizes a combination of codecs depending on the device. These include H.264, H.265, AV1, and VP9 (developed by Google). While VP9 offers higher compression than H.264, it doesn’t match the efficiency of H.265.
- HBO Max: HBO Max primarily relies on the H.264 codec. As a result, it does not currently support streaming content in 4K resolution due to the extensive bandwidth requirements and server limitations.
- Disney+: Disney+ uses a codec similar to HEVC called QDH1. To enjoy the available content on Disney+, a browser compatible with H.265 (HEVC) is required.
- Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video was an early adopter of the HEVC codec (H.265).
