Exploring Technology - Issue #6: LCEVC: The Video Code Revolution Powering Our Future Screens

LCEVC: The Video Code Revolution Powering Our Future Screens

In a world constantly chasing sharper screens, richer textures, and seamless streaming, a quiet revolution is underway. It doesn’t rely on massive hardware upgrades or disruptive replacements—it enhances what we already have. Welcome to the world of MPEG-5 Part 2: LCEVC (Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding).


Why We Needed Something New

Our appetite for high-resolution video has exploded. From 4K content on YouTube to interactive 8K sports streams, video quality expectations are climbing. However, better video usually means higher bitrates, greater bandwidth, and more demanding hardware. Traditional codecs like H.264, H.265 (HEVC), and even VVC (H.266) often struggle to keep pace with the twin pressures of quality and efficiency.

This is where LCEVC steps in, not as a competitor to these codecs, but as an enhancement layer. Think of it as the secret sauce that makes your existing codec taste (and perform) even better.

How Does It Work?

LCEVC adds a lightweight enhancement layer on top of a base codec (like H.264, HEVC, AV1, or VVC). This layer delivers extra detail and sharpness without increasing the overall computational load substantially.
- Base Layer: Encoded using a traditional codec at lower resolution/bitrate.
- Enhancement Layer: Adds texture, edge detail, and motion refinement using efficient upscaling algorithms.

The result? A video stream that looks significantly better at the same or lower bitrate, while reducing encoding and decoding complexity.

Software vs Hardware: The Trade-off

One of LCEVC’s strengths is its flexibility. It can be:
- Software-Based
- Easy to deploy using SDKs and firmware updates.
- Great for rapid implementation in web browsers, cloud streaming, and apps.
- Relies on CPU/GPU resources, which may vary in performance across devices.

Hardware-Accelerated
- Offers better power efficiency and lower latency.
- Ideal for live streaming, smart TVs, mobile SoCs, and OTT boxes.
- Requires integration into silicon, meaning a longer rollout timeline.

The choice depends on use-case: Real-time streaming might favor hardware, while cloud-hosted platforms may stick with software.

Big Names Betting on LCEVC

This isn't a niche experiment. V-Nova, the inventor of LCEVC, is joined by tech titans such as:
- MulticoreWare (known for x265/x266 encoders)
- Qualcomm, Intel, ARM (for potential hardware-level support)
- Apple, Meta, Nvidia (participating in standardization bodies)

The technology is also being backed by MPEG and ISO, giving it a globally recognized standard foundation.

Latest Update: Brazil Leads the Way

In April 2025, V-Nova partnered with MulticoreWare to fast-track LCEVC adoption for Brazil's TV 3.0 rollout. This new generation of digital broadcast will feature:
- 4K HDR video
- MPEG-H 3D audio
- Interactivity and data casting

While LCEVC is mandatory in all receiver devices, broadcasters aren’t required to use it—yet. This partnership aims to make integration effortless, empowering content creators to deliver high-quality, low-bitrate streams with minimal overhead.

> "Brazil’s TV 3.0 represents a major milestone in broadcasting, and we are delighted to support V-Nova in enabling MPEG-5 LCEVC," said Kumar Subramanian, CEO of MulticoreWare.

This move is being watched globally as a template for modern broadcasting.

What It Means for You and Me

LCEVC is more than a tech buzzword. It's a response to real-world constraints:
- Lower data consumption on mobile networks.
- Reduced storage costs for video platforms.
- Faster video startup times and fewer buffering interruptions.
- High-quality experiences even on low-end devices.

In a future where video is everything—from social media to education to telemedicine—LCEVC could be the invisible engine powering smoother, smarter visuals.

Is LCEVC the New Norm?

The signs are pointing to yes. With backing from international standards, tech giants, and national rollouts like Brazil's, LCEVC is well on its way to becoming a core component of modern video infrastructure.

It doesn't replace the base codecs; it elevates them. That means easier industry adoption, better scalability, and user-friendly integration.

Stay tuned and keep exploring!

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