Key Takeaways:
AV1 is a royalty-free video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM). It compresses video more efficiently than H.264 and VP9, allowing smaller file sizes with similar or better quality. AV1 is widely used by streaming platforms including YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
AV1 codec (AOMedia Video 1) is an open-source video codec designed to deliver better compression efficiency than traditional codecs like H.264 and VP9. It can reduce video file sizes while maintaining high image quality, making it increasingly popular for 4K/8K streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix.
In this guide, we will explain what AV1 codec is, how AV1 compression works, AV1 vs H.264/HEVC differences, and how to play or convert AV1 videos on different devices.
Part 1. Part 1: What Is AV1 Codec? Definition and How It Works
What is the AV1 codec? Briefly, AV1 is a video codec used for compressing and decompressing video content. As a relatively new video codec, AV1 is designed for efficient video compression and streaming, and it was developed by the Alliance for Open Media, which is a consortium of many leading companies in the technology industry.
Like other modern video codecs, AV1 divides video frames into smaller blocks and analyzes the differences between frames to remove unnecessary data. It uses advanced prediction techniques, transform coding, and entropy coding methods to achieve higher compression efficiency.
The main benefits of the AV1 codec are its royalty-free nature and excellent compression efficiency. According to Facebook Engineering's test in 2018, the AV1 encoder achieved 34%, 46%, and 50% better compression efficiency than VP9, x264 High Profile, and x264 Main Profile, respectively. It means that viewers can get a higher quality than ever before with the same internet connection speed. At the same time, AV1 allows high-quality videos, such as 4K videos, to be distributed on various platforms. YouTube, for example, supports AV1, and users can enable AV1 settings in the account settings page. Plus, many modern smartphones support AV1 decoding.
Currently, a wide range of hardware brands and streaming services have adopted the AV1 video format, like Amazon, Intel, Cisco, Microsoft, Mozilla, Netflix, Adobe, etc.
Moreover, Microsoft released AV1 Video Extension for playing AV1 on Windows 11/10.
Why Was AV1 Developed?
Before AV1, most online video services relied on codecs such as H.264 and VP9. However, increasing demand for 4K, 8K, and high-frame-rate streaming required a more efficient codec without expensive licensing fees. Therefore, the Alliance for Open Media developed AV1 as a royalty-free alternative.
Advantages of AV1 Video Codec:
- Smaller File Size with Similar Quality: AV1 has higher compression efficiency compared to previous codecs. And, it can reduce file sizes significantly while maintaining high image quality.
- Better Compression for 4K and 8K Videos: AV1 excels in compressing high-resolution videos, making it ideal for 4K and 8K streaming.
- Royalty-Free and Open Source: AV1 is an open-source codec, meaning it can be used freely without licensing fees.
- Support for HDR and Higher Color Depth: AV1 supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) and higher color depth, providing a more vivid and realistic viewing experience.
Use Cases of AV1
- Streaming Platforms: AV1 is widely adopted by streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video for delivering high-quality video content.
- Video Conferencing: AV1 can be used in video conferencing applications to provide better video quality with lower bandwidth usage.
- VR, AR, and MR: AV1 is suitable for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) applications due to its efficient compression capabilities.
- Game Streaming Services: Game streaming services can benefit from AV1's efficient compression to deliver high-quality gameplay streams.
- Broadcasting Platforms: AV1 can be used in broadcasting platforms to deliver high-quality video content over the internet.
Devices and Platforms That Support AV1
- OS: Windows 10/11, macOS Sonoma or higher, Android 12 and newer, iOS 17 or higher, etc.
- Browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari (macOS Sonoma or higher and iOS 17 or higher), and more common browsers.
- Streaming Platforms: YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, Amazon Prime Video, and other platforms.
- Graphics Cards for Decoding and Encoding: NVIDIA RTX 30/40 series or higher, Intel Arc or higher, AMD RX 7000 series or higher, and Apple Silicon chips with AV1 decoding support, depending on the model.
Part 2. AV1 vs. H.264 vs. H.265 vs. VP9
H.264 has been the standard for video streaming for years and is widely used for streaming platforms. However, it is not as efficient as AV1. In other words, compared to AV1, H.264 requires more bandwidth for similar video quality.
HEVC stands for High-Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265. It provides better performance than H.264. The biggest difference between AV1 and HEVC or H.265 is the licensing. AV1 is royalty-free, and companies can use it for free, while HEVC comes with licensing complexities and higher costs.
The main difference between AV1 and VP9 is video compression performance. VP9 was developed by Google as a successor to VP8. It offers significant performance over H.264. VP9 is open source, too. However, AV1 offers better compression efficiency.
AV1 vs H.264 vs HEVC vs VP9: Which Codec Is Better?
| Codec | Compression | License | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 | Good | Patent license | General video playback |
| HEVC (H.265) | Better | Licensing required | 4K Blu-ray and high-quality video |
| VP9 | Better than H.264 | Open source | YouTube and web streaming |
| AV1 | Excellent | Royalty-free | Modern streaming and 4K/8K video |
Is AV1 Better Than HEVC?
AV1 and HEVC both provide excellent compression efficiency. HEVC is still widely used in 4K Blu-ray, cameras, and Apple devices, while AV1 is becoming more popular for online streaming because it offers similar compression efficiency without licensing fees.
Part 3. How to Play, Edit, and Convert AV1
How to Play AV1
Method 1. Use VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source video player that supports many modern codecs, including AV1. You can simply install the latest version of VLC on your computer, open it, and drag an AV1 video file into the player. VLC will automatically decode the AV1 codec and play the video without requiring additional codec packs.
Method 2. Use AV1 Video Extension
If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 cannot support AV1 natively due to unknown reasons, you can install the AV1 Video Extension from the Microsoft Store to add native AV1 playback support. After installation, apps like Windows Media Player and Movies & TV can open AV1 videos directly. This method is convenient, but playback performance may still depend on your hardware support for AV1 decoding.
How to Convert and Edit AV1 Videos
If you want to create AV1 videos or convert AV1 videos to other codecs, such as H.264 or HEVC, you can use Tipard Video Converter Ultimate. It features a built-in AV1 decoder that supports AV1 videos in various containers and allows you to convert them to popular codecs, including H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP9, MPEG-4, DivX, and more.
- Decode AV1 and play videos smoothly.
- Integrate a variety of AV1 video editing tools.
- Protect AV1 video quality while playback and editing.
- Encode videos between AV1 and other codecs in batch.
- Support a wide range of video formats.
How to Convert AV1 Videos
Step 1 Import Your Videos
Download, install, and launch Tipard Video Converter Ultimate. Then, click the Add Files button to import your videos. This AV1 converter can convert AV1 to other video codecs or vice versa.
Step 2 Choose an Output Format with Desired Video Codec
Click the Output Format option to open the output format dialog. Choose a video format in the Video tab and select a preset. Then, click the Settings button. Pull down the Encoder option and choose the desired encoder, like AV1. You can also convert AV1 to MP4, which will change AV1 to HEVC.
You can also choose an output preset with a ccertain resolution, and then click the Custom Profile button (with a gear icon) to adjust the video codec.
How to Edit AV1 Videos
Step 1 Add AV1 videos
Enter the Converter window and click the Add Files menu to import all AV1 video files you want to edit. Then, click the Edit button on one video to open it in the Video Editor.
Step 2 Edit AV1
Then, switch to the desired tool, like Rotate & Crop, Effect & Filter, Watermark, Audio, or Subtitle. For instance, go to the Rotate & Crop tab and rotate the AV1 video. After video editing, click OK to confirm it. Edit the other AV1 video file according to your needs.
Step 3 Export videos
Finally, go back to the main interface, set the output format and location. Click the Convert All button.
Part 4. FAQs of AV1 Video Codec
Does Mac support AV1?
macOS can decode AV1 videos, but native support may vary depending on the macOS version. However, macOS cannot encode AV1 videos natively.
Can VLC play AV1 videos?
Yes, VLC Media Player can directly open an AV1 video unless your version is outdated or the AV1 codec is not properly installed.
Can phones play AV1 videos?
Yes, some modern phones can play AV1 videos with built-in AV1 decoding support. However, compatibility depends on the device model and video player. For unsupported devices, converting AV1 to H.264 or HEVC can improve playback compatibility.
Conclusion
AV1 is becoming an important video codec for modern streaming because it delivers better compression efficiency while keeping excellent video quality. Although AV1 support is still expanding, more platforms and devices are adopting it every year. If you need to play, edit, or convert AV1 videos easily, Tipard Video Converter Ultimate provides a convenient solution with built-in AV1 support. It can convert AV1 videos to other codecs or vice versa. It also has a built-in video player tool that can play AV1 videos smoothly.
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