Which profile does H.264 use to achieve low latency?

The Baseline profile of H.264 is specifically designed to provide low latency, making it particularly suitable for applications where quick transmission is essential, such as video conferencing and streaming. This profile achieves lower latency by simplifying certain features found in higher profiles, which can introduce additional encoding complexity and potential delays.

The Baseline profile omits some advanced features like B-frames (bi-directional frames) and uses only I-frames (intra-coded frames) and P-frames (predicted frames), enabling faster processing and prompting quicker transmission times. This is crucial in scenarios where real-time performance is a priority, such as in live video broadcasts or interactive applications.

While the Main, High, and Extended profiles offer a range of advanced video compression capabilities and higher quality for applications like HDTV and Blu-ray, they introduce complexities and features that can lead to increased latency. Therefore, they are less suitable for applications requiring minimal delays in video delivery. The choice of Baseline profile aligns well with the need for efficient and low-latency video communication.