AV2: The codec that will revolutionize video streaming

The evolution of video usage, driven by the widespread adoption of 4K, the rise of streaming, and the emergence of immersive formats, is creating unprecedented compression demands. In this context, the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) is preparing to finalize AV2, the successor to AV1, with the ambition of optimizing the balance between image quality, efficiency, and technological accessibility.

AV2 continues AOMedia’s open and collaborative approach, bringing together major industry players (Google, Apple, Netflix, NVIDIA, Microsoft, etc.). The stated goal: improve compression efficiency by around 30% compared to AV1, resulting in a significant reduction in video file size at equivalent quality. This advancement is especially anticipated for UHD content (4K, 8K), where bandwidth and storage become critical concerns.

AV2’s technical progress is based on several pillars:

• Advanced intra-frame prediction: better anticipation of spatial variations within an image to reduce redundancy.
• Optimized block partitioning: more precise adaptation of coding block sizes, allowing the codec to better follow image details.
• Improved motion estimation: more accurate handling of motion between successive frames, essential for dynamic scenes or sports content.

These innovations aim to maintain, or even enhance, perceived quality at the same bitrate, while reducing bandwidth consumption—a central issue for streaming platforms and telecom operators.

Features: addressing diverse use cases

AV2 is not limited to raw compression. The codec natively integrates features tailored to new use cases:

• HDR10+ support: advanced handling of dynamic metadata for faithful reproduction of contrast and color.
• 360° video compatibility: optimization for immersive content, virtual reality, and interactive experiences.
• Multi-resolution adaptive streaming: dynamic quality adjustment based on available bandwidth, ensuring a smooth experience across all networks.
• Reduced latency: an asset for live broadcasting and interactive applications, where response time is critical.

This versatility positions AV2 as a relevant tool for both mainstream streaming platforms and immersive or professional applications.

Technical challenges and adoption

Improved compression comes with increased complexity. AV2 encoding requires significantly more computing power than AV1, which implies, for large-scale use, relying on dedicated hardware solutions (next-generation GPUs, specific video accelerators). At this stage, there are no public benchmarks yet on real-world encoding or decoding performance, nor field feedback from device manufacturers.

Widespread hardware compatibility is not expected for several years. However, the adoption momentum appears strong: according to a survey of AOMedia members, 53% plan to integrate AV2 within 12 months of its official release, and 88% within two years. This trajectory mirrors that of AV1, now widely deployed across numerous devices and platforms.

Outlook: a codec designed for diverse screens

AV2 is designed to adapt to a wide range of devices, from smartphones to connected televisions, and including virtual reality headsets. Its purpose is to accommodate the continued growth of high-quality video streaming while minimizing the load on networks and storage infrastructures.

AOMedia’s open, royalty-free approach encourages rapid and cross-sector adoption, even if the issue of third-party patents remains something to monitor for certain specific use cases. As video establishes itself as the dominant format on the web and across media, AV2 is poised to be a strategic lever for balancing innovation, accessibility, and resource stewardship.

Will the arrival of AV2 mark a turning point in the distribution of UHD and immersive content? The first large-scale deployments, expected as early as 2026 on major platforms, will make it possible to gauge its concrete impact on user experience and the digital ecosystem.