Why is Opus not more poplular than G.711 and G.729?

Why is Opus not more poplular than G.711 and G.729 on VoIP codec?

Why is Opus not more poplular than G.711 and G.729 on VoIP codec?

Opus is actually quite popular in the VoIP world and is widely regarded as one of the best audio codecs available.

However, the popularity of codecs like G.711 and G.729 can be attributed to historical reasons and specific use cases.

Legacy systems:

G.711 and G.729 have been around for a long time and were some of the early codecs used in VoIP.

Many older VoIP systems and devices might still rely on these codecs, especially G.711, due to their legacy compatibility and widespread adoption in the past.

Interoperability:

G.711, in particular, is widely used in traditional telephony and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Its popularity is due to its interoperability with legacy telephony infrastructure, which allows VoIP calls to seamlessly connect with traditional phone lines.

Bandwidth and Compatibility:

G.729 is a low-bitrate codec, making it useful for conserving bandwidth in low-quality networks or regions with limited internet connectivity.

It was commonly used in situations where bandwidth was a significant concern.

Patent Issues:

G.711 and G.729 are older codecs with expired patents, which means they can be used freely without incurring licensing fees.

On the other hand, Opus is a more recent codec, and while it is widely supported, there may still be licensing considerations for some use cases.

Despite the popularity of G.711 and G.729 in specific scenarios, Opus has gained significant traction due to its many advantages.

Opus offers better sound quality than G.711 and G.729 at lower bitrates and is designed to perform well under varying network conditions.

It’s highly regarded for its flexibility and adaptability, making it a preferred choice for modern VoIP applications and services.

Remember, the technology landscape is continually evolving, and codec preferences can change over time.

For the latest information, it’s always best to refer to recent sources and official documentation from VoIP service providers and application developers.

The bandwith comparison: Opus, G.711 and G.729

The bandwidth of audio codecs refers to the amount of data they require to transmit audio over a network.

Different codecs have varying bandwidth requirements, which can impact call quality and network utilization. Here are the approximate bandwidths for Opus, G.711, and G.729:

Opus:

Bitrate: Opus is a highly flexible codec and supports a wide range of bitrates, typically ranging from 6 kbps to 510 kbps.
Recommended Bitrate: For standard VoIP calls, a common Opus bitrate is around 32 to 64 kbps, which provides good audio quality with reasonable bandwidth usage.

G.711:

Bitrate: G.711 is a relatively high-bitrate codec. It comes in two variants: G.711u (also known as PCMU) and G.711a (also known as PCMA).
Bitrate for G.711u: 64 kbps (kilobits per second)
Bitrate for G.711a: 64 kbps (kilobits per second)

Note: G.711 uses a constant bitrate, which means it always consumes the specified bitrate, even during silent or less active periods.

G.729:

Bitrate: G.729 is a low-bitrate codec designed for efficient voice transmission over low-bandwidth networks.
Bitrate for G.729: 8 kbps (kilobits per second)

G.729 compresses the audio more aggressively than G.711 or Opus, which results in lower bandwidth consumption.

It is often used in scenarios where bandwidth is limited, such as in remote areas or congested networks.

In summary:

Opus offers a wide range of bitrates, making it suitable for various network conditions and audio quality requirements.

G.711 provides higher audio quality but consumes more bandwidth, while G.729 sacrifices some audio quality to achieve lower bandwidth usage, making it suitable for low-bandwidth environments.

The choice of codec depends on factors like network conditions, available bandwidth, and desired call quality.

Why is Opus not more poplular than G.711 and G.729 on VoIP codec?