The H.265 codec offers several advantages over its predecessor, H.264. These include:
Of course, there is a counterargument. Critics note that h.265 requires significantly more processing power for decoding, and that poorly encoded HEVC files can introduce "ringing artifacts" around sharp edges—like the silhouettes of Highlanders against a sunset. Furthermore, the show’s original Blu-ray release remains the gold standard for bitrate purists. Yet, for the 99% of viewers who stream or store files locally, h.265 represents the most faithful translation of the master tape to the home screen. outlander s01 h265