H.264 vs H.265 IP Camera Comparison

In this video, CCTV Camera Pros compares H.264 vs H.265 video using a 4mp network IP camera. To perform this test, we connected one of our Viewtron 4mp AI security cameras to a Viewtron NVR (network video recorder).

H.265, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), compresses video about 50% more than H.264. This means that customers can save substantially on hard drive storage when using H.265. It also conserves local area network and Internet bandwidth, making the remote camera viewing experience better.

You can also watch our H.265 vs H.265+ comparison video here.

This is the 4mp security camera that we used for both tests.

You may have noticed the object detection display while watching the live video display. The IP camera that we used in our testing is an AI security camera. It can detect human and car objects on the screen. If you want to learn more about the AI software functionality of Viewtron cameras, you can learn more and watch a bunch of demo AI videos here.

This is the Viewtron NVR / DVR that we used in this video.

The IP camera and NVR support the following video codecs: H.264, H.265, H.265+, and H.265s. We will be comparing H.265+ and H.265s video codecs in a future video.

We captured the live video display from the HDMI output of the NVR at 4K resolution. We also captured the video surveillance footage that was recorded on the NVRs hard drive.

Based on our testing and observation, we think that the H.265 video looks just as good as H.264, so we would recommend using it.

Video Timestamps
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0:00 H.264 vs H.265 Video Codecs Intro
0:49 H.264 IP Camera Live View
1:14 H.265 IP Camera Live View
1:39 H.264 Recorded Video
2:03 H.265 Recorded Video
2:20 H.264 vs H.265 Comparison Side-by-Side
2:35 Summary & Opinion

Video Storage Calculator
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CCTV Camera Pros developed an online calculator so that customers can estimate how much video storage hard drive space will be needed for their system. The calculator supports H.264, H.265, H,265+, and H.265s codecs. You can access the video hard drive calculator here.

About Viewtron Security Camera Systems
==================================

About CCTV Camera Pros
======================
CCTV Camera Pros is a US Veteran Owned small business located in South Florida. We design and supply security camera systems for home, business, and government customers. We ship all of our products worldwide. CCTV Camera Pros is the exclusive provider of Viewtron security camera systems.

[Musicalpa]

If you compare the two side by side, it appears to me that the H264 recording reproduces the original image slightly more accurately with shadows, where the H265 appears to soften the shadows.

[deanbush]

Thank you for this GREAT comparison video! For all intents and purposes, I couldn't honestly tell any difference, but it did appear that the H.265 might have been a little more clear in some frames. I'd go for the H.265.

[renehouse]

My experience with H.264 v H.265 is the difference is about 34% so slightly more than a third. A typical H.264 1.7 GB MP4 video file comes out around 1.2 GB with H.265. The tradeoff is some players have trouble with H.265 during playback. Yes, H.265 saves storage space but the tradeoff is sometimes during playback it doesn't play cleanly. Just my .02c.

[kArchipelagos]

Yep I'm interested in plates and I use that standard. When I zoom in on playback can I read that plate down the block? Aslo I record store shelves when grocery shopping so I can just price shop & compare stores' from the house. I have just bought myself the Asako v50x and when setting up I went with 264 because I was unfamiliar with 265 - after seeing this review I'll certainly switch it over to 265 thank you very much I appreciate it.

[scottChapman]

also depends on the recorder, not all hardware has caught up to decompress H.265 without losing performance of the CPU. WDR should be enabled if the camera supports it.

[slashd]

All camera's look good in daylight. It's the low light performance I want to know more about

[frankkristensen]

On the H.264, the sun is stronger creating more contrast. That's probably why your face appears darker when you walk into the shaded area

[fdimichele]

It probably matters what camera you are using as well in the chip that decodes on the camera.

[MiguelSilvaX]

If you are using the same (maximum) bitrate then you are not saving space.. maybe the comparison should be with h.265 using a lower bitrate?

[numbereightyseven]

The comparison was NOT useful. The cloud cover changed, so one had much greater contrast inherent in the subject matter. No way of determining what difference the format type made. Urgh.