AV1 Video Codec
AV1 is an open, royalty-free video codec designed for video transmissions over the Internet. It was developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), a consortium of major technology companies.
Key Features
- Royalty-Free: Unlike some other codecs, AV1 is completely free to use
- High Compression Efficiency: Offers better compression than H.264 and H.265
- Wide Industry Support: Backed by major tech companies including Google, Apple, and Netflix
- Modern Features: Supports HDR, 10-bit color, and 4K/8K resolutions
Technical Details
AV1 uses several advanced compression techniques:
- Block Partitioning: Flexible block sizes for better compression
- Transform Coding: Multiple transform types for different content
- Prediction Modes: Advanced intra and inter prediction
- Entropy Coding: Context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC)
Use Cases
AV1 is particularly well-suited for:
- Streaming Services: Netflix, YouTube, and other platforms
- Video Conferencing: Real-time video compression
- Browser Video: Native support in modern web browsers
- Mobile Devices: Efficient compression for mobile video
Browser Support
Most modern browsers support AV1 playback:
- Chrome (since version 70)
- Firefox (since version 65)
- Edge (since version 75)
- Safari (since version 16.4)