Qualcomm Unveils New Video Compression Standard

Qualcomm announced the completion of the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard for video compression. Commercial deployments are expected in 2021. VVC, like the 5G cellular standard, is the result of a collaborative effort between dozens of companies offering technologies and driving consensus.

VVC is the next-generation video compression standard designed for rich digital media experiences. Incorporating new solutions for compression, decompression, processing, and coded representation of video images, audio, and their combination, It makes the video transmission more efficient and offers a 40% reduction in file size compared with the previous standard, HEVC, while maintaining the same level of video quality. Compared with a raw data file, VVC offers a 1000x reduction.

“By 2022, 82% of internet traffic will be video. In our connected world of Netflix, Zoom calls, and video sharing, video compression is an extraordinarily important technology area that people around the world rely on every day,“ said Marta Karczewicz, vice president of technology at Qualcomm Technologies. “Qualcomm's world-class engineers have driven the standard to completion with our foundational technology contributions and unparalleled leadership.“

“Qualcomm is extremely proud of the great work our inventors and engineers have done in creating the core technologies that went into the VVC standard and driving the standard to completion in the middle of a global pandemic. We change the way the world connects, computes, and communicates, and we’re excited to enable the new possibilities of video streaming VVC offers the world,“ said Jim Thompson, executive vice president, engineering and chief technology officer at Qualcomm Technologies.