Hikvision H.265+ Tested
Hikvision, which in the past few years released H.264+ (see test results) has now released H.265+, that claims even greater bandwidth savings.
We bought and tested two models from this new series, the 2MP DS-2CD2025FWD-I [link no longer available] and the 8MP DS-2CD2385FWD-I [link no longer available] to see how H.265+ compares to Hikvision's H.264+, as well as competitive smart codec models from Axis and Hanwha.
We tested in multiple outdoor scenes, including an open field/parking lot and exterior building/fenceline with high foliage movement.
Summary
In our tests, H.265+ produced notably lower bitrates compared to both H.265 and H.264 competitive smart codecs, Axis Zipstream and Hanwha Wisestream.
Additionally, compared to Hikvision's H.264+ smart codec, H.265+ bitrates were lower in all scenes, by 30-50%.
However, as with other H.265 cameras we have tested, VMS support remains limited, with only Exacq supporting these streams (via RTSP) in our tests. Milestone XProtect did not detect the H.265 via ONVIF and RTSP supported only H.264.
Camera Availability
H.265+ is currently available in Hikvision's Value Plus Series H.265 models. No higher end Smart Series models currently support H.265 in North America, but some have been announced/released in other parts of the world [link no longer available].
H.264+ Still Available
For those using recorders/VMS which do not support H.265, H.264+ is still available in H.265+ cameras. Codec selection and smart codec on/off are separate dropdowns in the camera's web interface:
VMS Support
Hikvision's H.265+ cameras have limited official VMS support. Neither Exacq nor Milestone list them as supported. However, Exacq supported H.265+ RTSP streams without issues in our tests, with no smearing or breakup seen in previous testing with H.264+. Milestone does not support H.265 over RTSP, and when adding the cameras via ONVIF to XProtect, the H.265 stream was not detected.
Hikvision NVR Support
H.265+ is currently supported on Hikvision's "I" series of recorders, e.g., the DS-7608NI-I2/8P or DS-9632NI-I8. Others support H.264+, but not H.265.
Limited Configuration
H.265+ (as with H.264+) includes no advanced configuration settings. Users are only able to turn it on and off. By contrast, other smart codecs such as Axis Zipstream or Hanwha Wisestream allow control of dynamic compression, maximum I-frame interval, etc.
The only controllable parameter introduced when using H.265+ is "maximum average bitrate", which attempts to keep bitrate below a set level over an extended period of time. There are no other controls specific to H.265+.
I-Frame/Quantization Effects
H.265+ varies I-frame interval depending on motion in the scene, up to a maximum of about 10 seconds (similar to H.264+).
Quantization in our tests varied from ~20 to ~35. This is a similar, but slightly narrower range than H.264+ in past tests (~18-40).
Slight Image Quality Effects
Similar to H.264+, we saw some slight image quality effects when using H.265+, mainly in the form of lost/smeared background detail.
For example, in the two images below, some details in grass and foliage become hazy/blurred when H.265+ is turned on, with moderate desaturation. However, when turned off, individual branches and leaves are discernible.
At night, effects were lessened, as background details are typically lost to compression or digital noise, as seen in examples here, which look effectively similar:
However, we saw no practical effect on foreground objects, such as our subject shown below. Details were similar aside from very slight pixelation in some areas seen with H.265+ on.
H.265+ vs. H.264+
H.265+ bitrates were notably lower than H.264+ in all scenes.
For example, comparing 4K streams on the DS-2CD2385, H.265+ was lower in all scenes by 30-50%.
The same was true of 1080p in the Hikvision 2025, with nighttime H.265+ bitrates less than half that of H.264+.
H.265+ vs. Standard H.265
At 4K resolution, H.265+ reduced bitrates by 85-95% compared to standard (non Smart Codec) H.265. Differences were greatest in wide low activity fields of view, such as the open field scene (150 Kb/s vs. 9.6 Mb/s).
Bitrate differences were more pronounced at 1080p:
Competitive Comparison
In all scenes, Hikvision's 4K H.265+ camera was lower than Hanwha's PNO-9080R 4K H.265 model with Wisestream, with bitrates more than 50% lower at night in both scenes.
At 1080p resolution, Hikvision H.265+ performance versus competitors was even more dramatic, shown below. The Axis M2025's daytime bitrates were moderately higher than the Hikvision 2025, but much higher at night, as were the Hanwha QND-6010R both day and night.
CPU load of H.265+ was more than double that of H.264+ both day and night:
Note that these measurements are with GPU acceleration turned off. Turning it on, H.264+ consumption is even lower by 1-2%. However, none of the GPUs tested support hardware H.265 decoding, so this feature had no effect on H.265 CPU load.
Standard H.265 CPU load was higher still, by ~50-60%.
Firmware Versions Used
The following firmware versions were used for testing:
- Hikvision DS-2CD2025FWD-I: 5.4.5 build 170124
- Hikvision DS-2CD2385FWD-I: 5.4.5 build 170124
- Hanwha PNO-9080R: 1.00_160620
- Hikvision DS-2CD4585F-IZH: V5.4.5 Build 170302
- Axis M2025-LE: 6.15.2.1
- Hanwha QND-6010R: 1.02_170221
- Hikvision DS-2CD2022WD-I: 5.4.5 build 170124