23 February 2025

Understanding H.264 and H.265 Video Compression in CCTV

Anthony Groom

In today’s world, where surveillance and security are more critical than ever, efficient video compression is key to managing and storing CCTV footage without compromising on quality. If you’ve ever wondered what is H.264 and what is H.265, this blog is for you. We’ll delve into the differences between these two standards, explain how they work in the context of CCTV, and even walk through some calculations to show how much storage you can save using modern compression techniques.

What is H.264?

H.264, also known as MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding), has been the industry standard for video compression for over a decade. Introduced in 2003, H.264 became popular because it provides high-quality video at substantially lower bitrates compared to older standards. This efficiency is essential for CCTV systems, where large volumes of footage must be stored for long periods.

Key Features of H.264 in CCTV

Efficient Compression: H.264 compresses video by removing redundant data and utilising predictive encoding. This means it can maintain acceptable video quality even at lower bitrates.
Broad Compatibility: Because H.264 has been around for a while, almost all modern CCTV systems and video players support it. This universality makes it a reliable choice for many security installations.
Real-Time Encoding: H.264 can be encoded in real-time, making it ideal for live CCTV feeds where immediate storage and transmission are critical.

For a detailed background, you might find this Wikipedia article on H.264 helpful.

What is H.265?

The natural successor to H.264 is H.265, also known as HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding). Launched in 2013, H.265 is designed to provide the same level of video quality as H.264 but at about half the bitrate. This improvement is especially significant for CCTV systems, which need to record continuously and store enormous amounts of data.

Key Features of H.265 in CCTV

Enhanced Compression Efficiency: H.265 uses more advanced algorithms to predict motion and compress video data, which results in smaller file sizes without sacrificing image quality.
Future-Proofing: With the increasing use of higher resolution cameras (such as 4K CCTV), H.265 is becoming essential because it manages higher data volumes more efficiently.
Bandwidth and Storage Savings: Because H.265 reduces the data size, it lessens the bandwidth needed for transmission and the storage required for archiving footage.

To learn more about H.265, check out the Wikipedia page on High Efficiency Video Coding.

Comparing H.264 and H.265 in CCTV Applications

When choosing a video compression standard for CCTV, understanding the differences between H.264 and H.265 is vital. Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)	H.265 (HEVC)
Year Introduced	2003	2013
Compression Efficiency	Good	Approximately 50% better than H.264
Compatibility	Widely compatible	Increasingly common but newer
Processing Power Needed	Lower	Requires more processing power
Ideal For	Most traditional CCTV systems	High-resolution and bandwidth-constrained environments

Practical Considerations

Hardware Requirements: While H.265 offers superior compression, it requires more advanced processing hardware. This is something to consider if you’re upgrading an existing CCTV system.
Cost vs. Benefit: The storage savings with H.265 can significantly reduce costs in the long term, but the initial investment in new hardware and software might be higher.
Future Scalability: As technology advances and the need for higher-resolution footage increases, H.265 is better suited for future-proofing your CCTV setup.

How Video Compression Reduces Storage Requirements

To appreciate the benefits of modern compression techniques, let’s break down how video compression translates into storage savings.

The Basics of Video Storage Calculation

Video footage storage depends on several factors:

Resolution: Higher resolution means more data.
Frame Rate: More frames per second (fps) result in larger files.
Bitrate: This is the amount of data processed per second. It’s typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

A Simple Calculation Example

Imagine you have a CCTV camera that records 1080p video at 30 fps. Let’s compare the storage needs using H.264 and H.265:

H.264 Calculation:

Assumed Bitrate: For a standard 1080p feed, H.264 might use around 4 Mbps.
Storage for 1 Hour:
- Total bits per hour = 4 Mbps × 3600 seconds = 14,400 megabits
- Converting megabits to megabytes (divide by 8): 14,400 / 8 = 1,800 MB (approximately 1.8 GB per hour).

H.265 Calculation:

Assumed Bitrate: With H.265, you might only need about 2 Mbps for similar quality.
Storage for 1 Hour:
- Total bits per hour = 2 Mbps × 3600 seconds = 7,200 megabits
- Converting to megabytes: 7,200 / 8 = 900 MB (approximately 0.9 GB per hour).

Comparing the Two:

H.264: 1.8 GB per hour
H.265: 0.9 GB per hour

This simple calculation shows that by switching from H.264 to H.265, you can reduce your storage needs by up to 50%. Imagine the savings over weeks, months, or years of continuous recording!

Real World Calculations: Storage Savings in CCTV Systems

Let’s expand on our calculation with a more detailed scenario. Suppose a business operates a CCTV system with 16 cameras, each recording 24 hours a day.

Daily Storage Requirement:

Using H.264:
- Each camera: 1.8 GB per hour × 24 hours = 43.2 GB per day
- For 16 cameras: 43.2 GB × 16 = 691.2 GB per day
Using H.265:
- Each camera: 0.9 GB per hour × 24 hours = 21.6 GB per day
- For 16 cameras: 21.6 GB × 16 = 345.6 GB per day

Monthly Storage Requirement:

H.264: 691.2 GB/day × 30 = 20,736 GB (or about 20.7 TB per month)
H.265: 345.6 GB/day × 30 = 10,368 GB (or about 10.4 TB per month)

By upgrading to H.265, the business can nearly halve its storage requirements, leading to significant cost savings in storage infrastructure and maintenance.

The Importance of Efficient Compression in Modern CCTV

Official Statistics and the Growing Need for Efficient CCTV Systems

In the United Kingdom, the adoption of CCTV technology has been widespread. According to official statistics, it is estimated that there are nearly 5.9 million CCTV cameras in operation across the UK. This staggering number highlights the importance of efficient video compression, as storage and bandwidth demands continue to rise. Efficient compression standards like H.264 and H.265 not only reduce costs but also make it feasible to retain footage for longer periods—a critical factor for both security and regulatory compliance.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to the UK Government’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and the Statista report on the number of CCTV cameras in the UK.

Long Tail Keywords and Their Role

Beyond the primary keywords what is H.264 and what is H.265, incorporating long-tail keywords can further boost your SEO. Phrases such as “benefits of H.265 in CCTV systems” or “H.264 vs H.265 compression for security cameras” capture specific search intents and help attract a more targeted audience. This approach ensures that your content reaches both general and niche audiences looking for detailed insights into video compression technology.

Personal Anecdote: A Real-Life Experience with CCTV Upgrades

A few years ago, I was involved in a project upgrading the security system of a large commercial building. The existing setup was based on H.264, and while it worked adequately, the storage requirements were ballooning, making it increasingly expensive to archive footage. We decided to trial an H.265 system on a few cameras. Not only did we notice a significant reduction in file sizes, but the video quality was also maintained impeccably. The success of this trial convinced the management to roll out the upgrade across the entire system, ultimately reducing monthly storage costs by almost 50%.

This experience reinforced my belief in the transformative impact of modern compression standards. It’s a tangible example of how understanding what is H.264 and what is H.265 can lead to smarter, more cost-effective security solutions.

Implementing Efficient Compression: Tips for CCTV System Owners

H2: Upgrading Your System for Better Compression

If you’re considering an upgrade, here are a few tips:

Evaluate Your Current Setup: Begin by assessing whether your current hardware supports H.265. Some older systems may require a hardware upgrade.
Consider the Cost-Benefit: While the initial investment might be higher, the long-term savings in storage and bandwidth can be substantial.
Plan for Scalability: Think ahead—if you plan to install higher resolution cameras in the future, H.265 will be better equipped to handle the increased data load.

H3: Practical Steps to Transition from H.264 to H.265

Consult with Experts: Speak to a CCTV specialist who can evaluate your needs. At Duke Security, we offer comprehensive assessments to determine the best solution for your system.
Test the Waters: Start with a pilot installation. Monitor performance and storage savings before fully committing.
Monitor Your Results: Use the calculations discussed earlier to track improvements in storage efficiency. This data will help justify further investments in modern technology.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Security

As technology continues to evolve, the integration of advanced video compression standards like H.264 and H.265 becomes not just an option but a necessity. Efficient compression:

Enhances Surveillance: By reducing file sizes, you can store more footage for extended periods, which is crucial for investigations.
Lowers Operational Costs: Reduced storage needs mean lower hardware and maintenance costs.
Improves Bandwidth Management: Smaller file sizes ease the burden on network infrastructure, ensuring smooth real-time monitoring and remote access.

Conclusion: Secure Your Future with Duke Security

Understanding what is H.264 and what is H.265 is more than just a technical exercise—it’s about making informed decisions that can save your business time and money while enhancing overall security. The move to H.265 represents a significant step forward in video compression technology, offering real benefits in storage reduction and network efficiency, particularly in high-demand CCTV environments.

If you’re ready to upgrade your CCTV system or simply want to learn more about how modern video compression can revolutionise your security setup, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Duke Security. Our team of experts is on hand to help you design and implement a solution that meets your needs now and into the future.

By investing in the right technology today, you can ensure that your security system remains robust, efficient, and ready to handle the challenges of tomorrow.