[Ned Scott]

I don't mind the commercial intent of h.265, but yeah, I don't look forward to the push for 4K and 3D and other stuff that will be pushed even more with h.265. I still look forward to h.265 in general, but mostly because most of my video content is under my own control (rips, etc). One can hope that enough sane people in the world will exist to prevent h.265 being exclusively used on some online video services. I'm a bit of a tree hugger, after all, and hate it when perfectly good devices are pushed aside just to sell new ones.

I feel like I didn't explain a lot of this, and that maybe the article didn't explain it either. x265 will be just like x264 availability wise. It won't be restricted, you'll be able to use it.

As for playback like I said before, mobile processors are able to handle 1080p, 30 fps playback. Platforms of XBMC will certainly be able to handle x265 content. The only exceptions will be high bitrate stuff, but we already have problems with that kind of stuff for RasPi, and other devices that can't handle some very high bitrate 1080p stuff anyway. So I highly doubt that will be a hinderance.

As for 4K? I don't really care about 4K at all at the moment. It's still 2-3 years out it seems. I personally think it's the worst resolution to come out for HDTV. No one sits close enough to a TV to see the benefits of 4K. Many people's living rooms/TVs aren't even set up to see the benefit of 1080p over 720p. 4K TVs push back many advancements that we actually need in TVs just for a branding point that is easy to sell.

We still need:
Better Black Levels
Better Contrast
Better viewing angles

All these to me are more important than a resolution that I can only see teh benefit of at 6 feet from my TV on displays of 80 inches or bigger (CNET article).

Either way though, this is a huge development for HTPCs. Especially considering that these are PRELIMINARY reviews. Many of the stuff that is in x264 that makes it so efficient hasn't even been implemented yet into this.

I've known all about h.256 before this thread or that posted article. I'm not saying it's restricted. I'm trying to present a middle ground because both users and team XBMC members are acting stupid in this thread regarding h.265 (not you, but others). There's no reason for the pre-emptive hate, but there's no conspiracy going on, but there's good reason to be cautious, etc etc etc.

Whatever, though. I'm looking forward to it, and whatever happens happens.