1. Smartvue H.264 Standard Video Compression
Technical Brief
H.264 Video Compression and Smartvue S8
All Smartvue S8 cameras offer the next-generation standard of video compres-
sion technology called H.264 which is an open standard based on the MPEG
standrard which has a long history of successful multimedia standards. H.264
provides vast quality and compression improvements over previous genera-
tions of network cameras which use the most common video compression
algorithms such as MPEG2, MPEG4, and MJPEG.
The H.264 standard was created for network delivery of video, to provide qual-
ity video at bit rates that are substantially lower (e.g., half or less) than what
previous standards would need (e.g., relative to MPEG-2, H.263, or MPEG-4
Part 2). The standard was also created for supporting multiple distribution
techniques (e.g., for both low and high bit rates, and low and high resolution
video) and to work well on a very wide variety of networks and systems (e.g.,
for broadcast, DVD storage, RTP/IP packet networks, and ITU-T multimedia
telephony systems).
The H.264 video compression technologies inside Smartvue cameras contain a
number of new features that allow it to compress video much more effectively
than older standards and to provide more flexibility for application to a wide
variety of network environments.
Video Storage per Minute
Quality, Efficiency, Scalability
MJPEG
H.264 video compression offers the very best in video quality while at the same
time more efficiently using storage and network bandwidth. Smartvue H.264
video compression which uses 5 times less storage than MJPEG and almost
half of MPEG4. In addition, H.264 also enables scalability from the very smallest
video to very very higest definition MPEG4
Open Standard
H.264
H.264 video compression is an open standard which enables videos to be
played across many different platforms that support this standard. In addition,
it offers cost effectivenesss and continued innovation as the standards improve
(for example the jump from MPEG4 to H.264).
The main benefit of an open standard like H.264 is that hundreds of companies
and many standards groups are support it which insures its continued viability
in the industry. Many of these include:
PATENTS GRANTED AND PENDING IN USA, EUROPE AND CHINA. Specifications subject to change without notice. Copyright 1996-2009, all rights reserved Smartvue® Corporation. Smartvue® and InsightServer are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Smartvue Corporation. Other names are trademarks of their respective companies. Smartvue Corporation specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness of
this product for a particular purpose. Smartvue shall not be liable for any errors contained in this guide or for any damages resulting from loss of use, data profits, or any incidental or consequential damages arising from the
use of Smartvue products or services. Neither Smartvue nor its affiliates shall be liable for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of accident, misuse or abuse of this product or
unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or failure to strictly comply with operating and maintenance instructions. SAVE THE PLANET - DON’T PRINT!
Smartvue Corporation 102 Woodmont Boulevard Nashville TN 37205 USA (615) 866-2650 (800) 670-3612 www.smartvue.com

2. Smartvue H.264 Standard Video Compression
Technical Brief
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). H.264 has been ratified by the
MPEG committee as part of the MPEG-4 standard, specifi cally called
MPEG-4 Part 10 or Advanced Video Coding (AVC).
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The cocreator of H.264, ITU,
has ratified H.264 as its next video conferencing standard.
DVD Forum. H.264 has been selected by the DVD Forum as mandatory for
its HD DVD specification.
Blu-ray Disc Association. H.264 has also been chosen by the Blu-ray Disc
Association as mandatory for its Blu-ray Disc specification.
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB). This European-born consortium for creat-
ing digital television standards has chosen H.264 as part of its specification.
T-DMB. Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting is an ETSI standard
specifi ed to
include H.264 for video. T-DMB has been adopted in South Korea and Ger-
many. Many other European countries are in trials.
3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). This group creates standards for
mobile multimedia on GSM-type mobile networks.
Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA). H.264 has been adopted by the
ISMA, which was formed to accelerate the adoption and deployment of
open standards for streaming over Internet protocols.
MPEG Industry Forum (MPEGIF). This group was created to further the
adoption of MPEG standards, including H.264.
For more information about the H.264 video compression standard, visit the
Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) web site at http://www.chiariglione.org/
mpeg/ or the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) web site at www.
itu.int/net/home.
PATENTS GRANTED AND PENDING IN USA, EUROPE AND CHINA. Specifications subject to change without notice. Copyright 1996-2009, all rights reserved Smartvue® Corporation. Smartvue® and InsightServer are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Smartvue Corporation. Other names are trademarks of their respective companies. Smartvue Corporation specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness of
this product for a particular purpose. Smartvue shall not be liable for any errors contained in this guide or for any damages resulting from loss of use, data profits, or any incidental or consequential damages arising from the
use of Smartvue products or services. Neither Smartvue nor its affiliates shall be liable for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of accident, misuse or abuse of this product or
unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or failure to strictly comply with operating and maintenance instructions. SAVE THE PLANET - DON’T PRINT!
Smartvue Corporation 102 Woodmont Boulevard Nashville TN 37205 USA (615) 866-2650 (800) 670-3612 www.smartvue.com