By Sergio Sanz-Rodríguez, PhD and Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, PhD – Most modern optimized video encoders incorporate Perceptually Optimized Encoding (POE) modes which make encoding decisions that take into account properties of the Human Visual System (HVS) in order to improve compression efficiency and perceived quality. Traditional encoders without perceptual optimizations have been extensively studied in Rate-Distortion Optimization (RDO) theory and their compression efficiency has been assessed using the popular Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR). It is well known that the PSNR metric does not c ..read more

In this whitepaper we introduce Spin Digital’s VVC/H.266 real-time software encoder and present a detailed quality and performance comparison with other encoders for 4K UHD live streaming scenarios. We also present an analysis for finding the recommended bitrates for 4K UHD live streaming using VVC. The main highlights of the new VVC real-time encoder are: 1. Higher compression efficiency than state-of-the-art HEVC live encoder: For 4Kp60 18% bitrate savings for the same quality with respect to a highly optimized HEVC real-time encoder, at the cost of 2 times higher computational complexity. F ..read more

Berlin, July 12, 2021 – Spin Digital and Fraunhofer HHI presented a video coding and playback demonstration of 8K HDR using the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard. The demonstration was presented on June 21 at the 3IT Innovation Center for Immersive Imaging Technologies of Fraunhofer HHI in Berlin, and was organized by Spin Digital and Fraunhofer HHI with the support of Sony.   Check out the Demo on YouTube As video summary of the demonstration can be found in YouTube:   VVC for 8K HDR Video The main objective of the demonstration was to evaluate the new Versatile Video Coding (V ..read more

By Sergio Sanz, PhD — The whitepaper presents Spin Enc Live, a state-of-the-art HEVC real-time software encoder optimized for 8K live applications in broadcast and Internet streaming. Spin Digital has released its new product called Spin Enc Live, a high-quality and high-performance 8K HEVC real-time encoder designed for high-end applications, such as 4K/8K broadcasting and live streaming, using a software CPU-based solution. The new encoder produces quality and compression levels similar to best-in-class offline encoders (typically used for VoD) while, at the same time, providing the performa ..read more

By Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, PhD — Spin Player is a software media player that allows to play very high resolution video including 4K, 8K, and 16K using standard PC systems. The Player is based on Spin Digital high-performance HEVC/H.265 decoder and Spin Digital optimized video rendering engine. An important component of the video playback chain is the output interface. Spin Digital currently supports video rendering with GPUs that include up to 4 DisplayPort outputs which can be combined to form a single 8K frame, or GPUs including one HDMI 2.1 output. The use of the HDMI 2.1 interface facilitat ..read more

Berlin, July 12, 2021 – Spin Digital and Fraunhofer HHI presented a video coding and playback demonstration of 8K HDR using the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard. The demonstration was presented on June 21 at the 3IT Innovation Center for Immersive Imaging Technologies of Fraunhofer HHI in Berlin, and was organized by Spin Digital and Fraunhofer HHI with the support of Sony.   Check out the Demo on YouTube As video summary of the demonstration can be found in YouTube:   VVC for 8K HDR Video The main objective of the demonstration was to evaluate the new Versatile Video Coding (V ..read more

By Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, PhD, Sergio Sanz-Rodríguez, PhD — In this technical blog we discuss how to support High Dynamic Range (HDR) for 8K video. We present the options available for 8K HDR playback and their capabilities and limitations, and we show how Spin Digital’s media player (Spin Player) can meet the requirements of 8K HDR applications using a software solution based on the latest generation of computing systems (CPUs and GPUs) and AV interfaces (HDMI 2.1). 8K HDR: More than More Pixels The 8K video format is much more than higher resolution. It is designed to provide a stronger sens ..read more

By Sergio Sanz, PhD — The whitepaper presents Spin Enc Live, a state-of-the-art HEVC real-time software encoder optimized for 8K live applications in broadcast and Internet streaming. Spin Digital has released its new product called Spin Enc Live, a high-quality and high-performance 8K HEVC real-time encoder designed for high-end applications, such as 4K/8K broadcasting and live streaming, using a software CPU-based solution. The new encoder produces quality and compression levels similar to best-in-class offline encoders (typically used for VoD) while, at the same time, providing the performa ..read more

By Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, PhD — Spin Player is a software media player that allows to play very high resolution video including 4K, 8K, and 16K using standard PC systems. The Player is based on Spin Digital high-performance HEVC/H.265 decoder and Spin Digital optimized video rendering engine. An important component of the video playback chain is the output interface. Spin Digital currently supports video rendering with GPUs that include up to 4 DisplayPort outputs which can be combined to form a single 8K frame, or GPUs including one HDMI 2.1 output. The use of the HDMI 2.1 interface facilitat ..read more

By Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, PhD — Spin Player is based on a highly optimized HEVC decoder and video rendering engine. This software solution allows to play 8K video using compact and cost-effective PC systems. In this tech blog we provide a set of recommendations of PC configurations for 8K video playback, and we also describe 8K display set-ups using commercially available 8K TVs and monitors. Spin Player Performance The final performance of the media player depends mainly on the content properties, input bitrate, and the platform performance: Content properties: The player’s performance is af ..read more