JPEG XS

Visually Lossless Speed: The Live Production Codec

JPEG XS is a relatively new and highly specialized video compression standard (codec) designed not for final consumer delivery, but for the demanding, high-bitrate workflows of live production and broadcast. Its defining characteristic is its ability to provide visually lossless quality—meaning the compressed image is virtually indistinguishable from the uncompressed original—at moderate compression ratios (from 2:1 to 10:1) while introducing only a tiny fraction of a single video frame’s worth of latency (delay).

The Bandwidth and Latency Problem

A single, uncompressed 4K video signal requires a massive amount of bandwidth to transmit, often exceeding the capacity of standard IP networks like Ethernet. While traditional distribution codecs like H.264 or HEVC can compress video very efficiently, they do so at the cost of significant processing latency, which is unacceptable in a live environment where every millisecond counts. JPEG XS was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (the creators of the original JPEG) to solve this specific problem, prioritizing speed and quality over extreme compression.

Where JPEG XS is Used in the Industry

JPEG XS is an ideal “mezzanine” or “contribution” codec for professional, real-time video workflows:

• Virtual Production: Used to transmit the video signal from the Unreal Engine render servers to the individual processor boxes that drive the LED panels in a volume, ensuring perfect synchronization with near-zero delay.
• Broadcast and Live Events: Sending high-quality camera feeds over an IP network from the stage or field to a central production truck or control room.
• On-Set Monitoring: High-end wireless video transmitters can use JPEG XS to send the camera’s feed to the director’s monitor, preserving pristine image quality without the noticeable lag of other codecs.