The Accsoon CineView Master 4K system was recently upgraded to support H.265 encoding at up to 4K 60p. In layman’s this means improved image quality for the same amount of data sent or recorded. It is good to see Accsoon add this capability to the CineView Master 4K. It is very rare to see significant upgrades added to existing wireless video systems.
Along with the H.265 encoding at up to 4K 60p, a single CineView Master 4K transmitter can now work with up to 10 receivers or CineView M7 Pro monitors, within a large studio environment. This is a big increase from the previous four-device limit, and it allows the system to be used in environments where a lot of different people need to see an image.
What is the difference between H.264 & H.265?
H.264 uses what is known as macroblocks of 16 by 16 pixels. It uses these macroblocks to compress video content in multiple processes that analyze what’s known as motion composition. The codec compresses video by determining what motion is happening, what is needed to complete the picture, and what else can be thrown away. The macroblocks are subdivided into transform and prediction blocks to help determine this behavior.
H.265, also known as High Efficiency Video coding, is the successor to H.264 coding. When compared to H.264, it essentially offers a higher quality for the same bit rate.
H.264 uses Macroblocks to compress video content; H.265 replaces those Macroblocks with what’s called coding tree units or CTUs for short. The CTUs are up to 64 by 64 pixels in size, and can be divided into different CTU sizes when going through this process. This means it can compress information more efficiently. As well as this, H.265 has better motion compensation and spatial prediction than H.264 does.
When dealing with high-resolution formats like 4K and 8K, the amount of data in each frame is significantly higher than when dealing with HD. H.265’s ability to handle larger file sizes with greater precision underpins its ability to stream high-quality video content without excessive bandwidth or storage.
Full H.265 Encoding for 4K60
As I have already mentioned, the update introduced full H.265 encoding support, enabling true end-to-end 4K60 video transmission, from input to output. Whether for monitoring, recording, or livestreaming, this optimization promises to provide a more detailed 4K image quality at the same bitrate. For recordings, users can now choose their own balance between reduced file sizes and increased quality.
The biggest issue when using a lot of Wi-Fi-based wireless video systems, apart from the latency, can be the quality of the video. As Wi-Fi-based systems need to compress the image before sending it, you can end up with pixelation and other image artifacts depending on what you are doing. If you are viewing an image on a smartphone, then arguably this isn’t a big deal, but as soon as you want to monitor on a larger screen, it can become very noticeable.
If it’s hair and makeup watching a feed on an iPad or iPhone, then maybe it’s not a big issue, but if you have a client monitor, it doesn’t send the best message if they are watching a poor-quality feed that has image artifacts. If they don’t understand why it looks like that, they may start to question what is wrong with the image.
So, let’s see if there is any big difference in utilizing an upgraded Accsoon CineView Master 4K system with the new firmware as opposed to one running the old firmware.
First, I will do a test with the old firmware. There is little point in shooting a static image as it isn’t going to stress a codec. I will do a zoom and tilt across a scene that has a lot of fine detail, and then do that same exact shot again after updating the firmware.
I will attach the CineView Master 4K RX unit to a SmallHD Cine 13 and record on the Accsoon SEE app. The CineView Master 4K TX is set to send H.264 in CBR at its highest possible quality. Unfortunately, Accsoon doesn’t tell you what the actual bitrate is for any of the settings.
Please note that the SDI tests below are done in HD, as the CineView Master 4K isn’t capable of sending or receiving 4K over SDI.
Above, you can see a test where the CineView Master 4K TX is sending H.264 HD 23.98p in CBR at its highest possible quality, and then being recorded on the Accsoon SEE app.
Above, you can see a test where the CineView Master 4K TX is sending H.264 HD 60p in CBR at its highest possible quality, and then being recorded on the Accsoon SEE app.
Ok, so now that we have done tests sending HD H.264 over SDI, let’s try 4K over HDMI. I am using a Nikon Z9 and sending a signal to a SmallHD Cine 13 and recording on the Accsoon SEE app.
Above, you can see an H.264 4K 23.98p recording from the Accsoon SEE app.
Above, you can see an H.264 4K 60p recording from the Accsoon SEE app.
Ultimately, if you want the best possible image and virtually no latency, then you would need to invest in an uncompressed system. This is the reason uncompressed systems cost significantly more money.
How to update the firmware
Before the Update
- Before the firmware update, please ensure that your mobile
devices can access the Internet via Wi-Fi to acquire the latest
firmware. - Please ensure that the battery level of CineView Master 4K units
is above 50%. - Power on and pair the CineView Master 4K’s transmitter and
receiver(s). - No power cuts are allowed during the update process!
- If you have any questions during the firmware update, please
refer to “Accsoon SEE App Tutorial – Firmware update” video on
Accsoon’s official YouTube channel, or send an inquiry email to
[email protected].
Firmware Download
- Once the new firmware is downloaded, connect your mobile device to the transmitter’s Wi-Fi signal
- Open Accsoon SEE App and tap “Next” to send the firmware to the transmitter
- The transmitter will prompt “UPDATE” once it has received the firmware
- Press the knob and select “Yes” to start updating
- The transmitter will reboot automatically.
- Please wait until the reboot is fully completed before proceeding, as the upgrade will only be finalized once the reboot is finished.
- When the transmitter completes its update, it will connect with other receiver(s) that are under the same group and update the receiver(s).
- The receiver(s) will prompt “UPDATE”
- Press the knob and select “Yes” to start updating
- The receiver will reboot automatically.
- Please wait until the reboot is fully completed before proceeding, as the upgrade will only be finalized once the reboot is finished.
If the firmware update fails, the device will automatically be restored to the factory default firmware so that users can continue to use or update it later.
Please do not power off the unit(s) during the recovery process!
Tests with the updated Firmware
Once you have updated the firmware, you then get the option to use either H.264 or H.265. If you choose H.265, the system needs to reboot, and this takes around 50 seconds to do.
Above, you can see a test where I am sending 1080p 23.98P with the bitrate option set to its maximum using H.265, and with CBR selected. I have recorded the file on my iPhone using the Acssoon SE App.
Above, you can see a test where I am sending 1080p 60P with the bitrate option set to its maximum using H.265, and with CBR selected. I have recorded the file on my iPhone using the Acssoon SE App.
It’s pretty hard to show any real difference between H.264 and H.265 from a recording on an app, but above you can see the comparisons.
Ok, so now that we have done tests sending HD H.264 over SDI, let’s try 4K over HDMI.
Above, you can see an H.265 4K 23.98p recording from the Accsoon SEE app.
Above, you can see an H.265 4K 60p recording from the Accsoon SEE app.
Again, let’s now look at a comparison between H.265 and H.264. As I previously said, it’s pretty hard to show any real difference between H.264 and H.265 from a recording on an app, but above you can see the comparisons.
After the firmware update, the overall stability and quality of the signal have improved; however, the improvement in image quality isn’t something that is going to jump out at you, as it is fairly subtle. I also didn’t notice any huge difference in terms of image artifacts or compression unless you looked pretty hard and zoomed in on the image.
I also looked at images closely on the SmallHD Cine 13 and a 55″ 4K monitor to see if I could see any big noticeable differences, but they were hard to spot.
In saying that, having the ability to now send H.265 as opposed to H.264 is a welcome addition.
Increased Device Connections
Breaking the barriers of connection limits, the new firmware allows the CineView Master 4K to support up to 10 device connections within close range. This means filmmakers can now receive wireless video on over 10 CineView M7 Pro monitors simultaneously across a 1000㎡ studio, making collaborative production easier than ever before. Larger crews can now use the CineView Master 4K to send video to everyone who needs to see the camera image on a set, whether that be gaffers, directors, producers, make-up, wardrobe, script supervisors, or clients.
Advanced Anti-Interference
With in-depth wireless channel optimization, the CineView Master 4K now intelligently avoids interference from WiFi, Bluetooth, and other crowded signals. This is claimed to guarantee uninterrupted, stable video transmission even in demanding environments such as film sets, live events, and exhibitions.
From my tests, I did find some improvements when it came to having a cleaner image with less interference; however, like any wireless video transmission system, where you are using it will ultimately determine the range and quality of the signal.
Enhanced MFi Transmission for iOS
The firmware also refines stability for MFi-certified iPhone and iPad monitoring, delivering more reliable video performance.
Available now
The CineView Master 4K Version 3.30 firmware update is available now for all existing users via an update in the SEE app.
