Description
High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2, is a video compression standard developed by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC). Within the 3GPP ecosystem, it is standardized as a codec for multimedia telephony, streaming, and broadcast services. The codec's architecture is based on a block-based hybrid video coding approach, similar to its predecessor AVC, but with significant enhancements. It uses advanced techniques like larger and more flexible block structures (Coding Tree Units up to 64x64 pixels), improved intra-prediction with 35 directional modes, enhanced motion vector prediction and merge techniques, and more sophisticated in-loop filters such as Sample Adaptive Offset (SAO). These improvements allow it to achieve approximately 50% bitrate reduction for the same perceptual video quality compared to AVC.
In a 3GPP network, HEVC operates within the media processing and delivery framework defined for services like Multimedia Telephony Service for IMS (MTSI), Packet-Switched Streaming Service (PSS), and Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS). The codec is integrated into end-user devices (UEs) and network elements like the Media Resource Function Processor (MRFP) for transcoding or the Broadcast-Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) for broadcast. The encoding process involves partitioning each picture into Coding Tree Units (CTUs), which are then recursively split into Coding Units (CUs) using a quadtree structure. Prediction (intra or inter), transformation, quantization, and entropy coding are then applied to these CUs. The resulting bitstream is packaged according to 3GPP-defined formats, such as the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) for streaming or the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) for conversational services.
The role of HEVC in the network is to enable high-efficiency video applications, which are a primary driver of mobile data traffic. For service providers, it reduces the bandwidth and storage costs associated with delivering high-resolution video. For users, it enables higher quality experiences, such as 4K Ultra HD video on mobile devices, without proportionally increasing data consumption. 3GPP specifications define the profiles, levels, and carriage formats for HEVC to ensure interoperability across devices and networks. This includes support for various color spaces, high dynamic range (HDR), and 360-degree video, making it a versatile codec for next-generation multimedia services.
Purpose & Motivation
HEVC was created to address the exponential growth of video traffic on mobile networks and the limitations of the previous AVC (H.264) standard. As consumer demand shifted towards higher resolution video (HD, 4K, and eventually 8K) and new applications like virtual reality emerged, AVC's compression efficiency became a bottleneck. Delivering such content would require unsustainable amounts of network bandwidth and storage, increasing costs for operators and potentially degrading user experience due to congestion. The primary motivation was to develop a codec that could halve the required bitrate for equivalent quality, thereby future-proofing networks for the video-centric data era.
Historically, each new generation of video codec (e.g., MPEG-2, AVC) has delivered a significant leap in compression efficiency. HEVC continues this trend, initiated by the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) and ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) through their joint collaboration. Its adoption into 3GPP, starting in Release 12, was driven by the need to standardize its use within IMS-based and streaming services. This ensured a unified, interoperable approach for video delivery across global mobile networks, preventing fragmentation. By standardizing HEVC, 3GPP enabled operators to deploy advanced video services efficiently, supporting business models like mobile TV, video-on-demand, and high-quality video calling, which are central to the 4G and 5G service portfolios.
Classification
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (69 CRs across 5 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.
Studied in Rel-12, normative work from Rel-15.
In Release 15, support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) was newly introduced for the HEVC function within the TV Video Profile for PSS (Packet-switched Streaming Service). This enhancement was part of the broader work to meet video codec requirements for 5G devices and to support the broadcast of high-quality video streams, such as 4k UHD, which utilizes HEVC. The updates specifically enabled the HDR TV Video Profile, aligning with the need to support advanced video broadcasting capabilities.
- SOR acknowledge message coding TS 24.501CR0216
- HDR Support in TV Video Profiles TS 26.116CR0007
- Video Codec Requirements for 5G Devices TS 26.223CR0011
- Support for HDR TV Video Profile in PSS TS 26.234CR0227
- Correction for SM PDU DN request container coding TS 24.501CR0376
- Updates on steering of roaming handling and information coding TS 24.501CR0417
In Release 16, the support for HEVC was enhanced to enable higher quality and more immersive video services. Specifically, new capabilities were added to support the broadcast of 8K UHD video streams and VR 360 video, as defined by operation points and quality profiles. Furthermore, the release introduced refinements for TV and VR video profiles, including details on the spatial positioning of chroma samples and other video-related codec fixes.
- Port management information container: Delivery via the NAS protocol and coding TS 24.501CR1470
- HLG HDR video TS 26.116CR0009
- Operation Points for 8K VR 360 Video TS 26.118CR0006
- Missing XML Data Type for Attributes in MBMS USD TS 26.346CR0658
- Removing H.263 and MPEG-4 Visual from MTSI TS 26.114CR0501
- Correction on coding of "all other values are spare" TS 24.501CR1062
+ 15 more changes
In Release 17, the enhancements for HEVC specifically introduced support for 8K UHD video broadcasting, including the definition of operation points for 8K VR 360 video and alignment with CMAF. This expanded the system's capability to broadcast high-quality video streams at approximately 300 Mbps for 8K resolution. The release also addressed the spatial positioning of chroma samples for VR Video Profiles to improve immersive media delivery.
- Notification to upper layer upper layer for MMTEL video call when T3346 or T3525 running TS 24.501CR2811
- CP SoR in SNPN - procedures and coding TS 24.501CR3584
- Spatial validity condition coding TS 24.501CR3895
- Support NSAG - Procedure Message and NSAG information IE coding TS 24.501CR4292
- Video Support for ITT4RT TS 26.114CR0514
- 8K HEVC Operation Point and CMAF Alignment TS 26.116CR0018
+ 10 more changes
In Release 18, the primary update for the HEVC function was a correction to the signaling for IMSC 1.1, specifically addressing AVC and HEVC signaling for 5G Media Streaming services. This ensures proper support for high-quality broadcast video streams, such as 4k and 8k UHD, which utilize HEVC codecs at defined bitrates. The correction aligns with the system's capability to support broadcast of streaming video and allows devices to request specific video qualities.
- Coding of the Per-S-NSSAI time validity information for the S-NSSAI field TS 24.501CR5597
- Updating the S-NSSAI location validity information IE coding TS 24.501CR5710
- Supporting HD video calls TS 26.114CR0557
- [FS_5GMS_EXT, TEI18] 5GMS Service URL TS 26.804CR0005
- Correction to the coding of N3IWF address IE TS 24.501CR5021
- Removal of redundant description of NID coding in SNPN list IE TS 24.501CR5166
+ 13 more changes
In Release 19, specific updates were made for the HEVC function to enhance broadcast video services. These included updates for MV-HEVC (Multiview HEVC) and the provision of PSI (Program Specific Information) guidelines for HEVC tiles, which are used in the broadcast of high-quality video streams such as 4k/8k UHD. These changes support the system's capability to allow a device to request a specific video quality for a received broadcast.
- Connection information for QoS differentiation in PDU session modification procedure, coding TS 24.501CR6960
- [AMD_PRO-MED] In-session Unicast Repair for MBMS Object Distribution TS 26.346CR0677
- [VOPS] Updates for MV-HEVC TS 26.511CR0013
- [5G_RTP_Ph2] PSI Guidelines for HEVC tiles TS 26.522CR0007
- Improved Time Synchronization for MBMS TS 26.346CR0672
- Extended CAG information list coding correction TS 24.501CR6663
+ 1 more changes
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where HEVC plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference HEVC, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TS 22.864 vf00 | 5G Network Operation Use Cases & Requirements | Rel-15 |
| TS 24.501 vj50 | 5G NAS Protocols Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.114 vj10 | IMS Multimedia Telephony Media Handling | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.116 vj00 | TV Video Formats for 3GPP Services | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.118 vj00 | Virtual Reality Media Formats | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.119 vj00 | XR Media Capabilities for AR Devices | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.140 vj00 | MMS Media Formats and Codecs Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.223 vj00 | IMS Telepresence Client Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.234 vj00 | 3GPP PSS Protocols and Codecs Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.244 vj00 | 3GPP File Format (3GP) Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.265 vj10 | Video Operation Points & Capabilities | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.281 vj00 | MCVideo Codecs and Media Handling | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.346 vj20 | MBMS User Services Media Codecs & Protocols | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.511 vj00 | 5G Media Streaming Profiles, Codecs & Formats | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.522 vj30 | RTP for XR in 5G Systems | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.804 vj10 | 5G Media Streaming Extensions Study | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.822 vj20 | 5G RTP Configurations Study Phase 2 | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.841 vj00 | Study on Media Messaging Enhancements | Rel-19 |
| TS 26.855 vj00 | Study on Film Grain Synthesis | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.862 vh00 | Immersive Teleconferencing & Telepresence for Remote Terminals | Rel-17 |
| TS 26.880 ve00 | MBMS Enhancements for Mission Critical Video | Rel-14 |
| TS 26.891 vg00 | Media Distribution Services in 5G System | Rel-16 |
| TR 26.906 vj00 | HEVC Evaluation for 3GPP Services | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.922 vj00 | Video Telephony Robustness Improvements Study | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.923 vj00 | Study on IMS-based Telepresence Media Handling | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.926 vj00 | Traffic Models & Quality Evaluation for Media/XR in 5G | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.927 vj00 | AI/ML in 5G Media Services Study | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.928 vj00 | Study on eXtended Reality (XR) in 5G | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.948 vj00 | Video enhancements for 3GPP Multimedia Services | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.949 vj00 | TV Service Profiles for 3GPP Networks | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.955 vj00 | Video Codec Analysis for 5G Services | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.956 vj01 | Beyond 2D Video Formats & Codecs Study | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.962 vj00 | ITT4RT Operation and Usage Guidelines | Rel-19 |
| TR 26.998 vj00 | 5G AR/MR Glasses Integration Study | Rel-19 |
| TR 38.835 vi01 | Technical Report on XR Enhancements for NR | Rel-18 |