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The tech industry has welcomed the launch of another important video standard. After several years of delays, the AV2 codec has officially been presented, which is set to become the successor to the increasingly popular AV1. The new solution was developed by the Alliance for Open Media, which brings together the biggest players in the tech market. The creators argue that AV2 will allow for a significant reduction in the amount of data required to stream high-quality content. This could have a huge impact on streaming platforms and users worldwide.
AV2 aims to deliver higher image quality with lower data transfer
The biggest advantage of the new codec is expected to be significantly better compression efficiency. According to test results, AV2 can reduce bandwidth requirements by as much as around 30 percent compared to AV1. In practice, this means that streaming services will be able to offer the same image quality while using less data. It will also allow for an increase in the quality of materials without the need to raise the user's internet requirements. The new standard has been prepared with a variety of content types in mind. It will handle SD, HD, 4K, 8K materials, as well as content designed for virtual and augmented reality. The creators have introduced a number of technical improvements that contribute to more effective image compression. These include larger processing blocks and more advanced methods of predicting subsequent frames. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of data transmitted without noticeable deterioration in quality. This is particularly important in times of increasing popularity of 4K and 8K materials. Streaming platforms are constantly looking for ways to reduce data transmission costs. AV2 could prove to be one of the most important tools in achieving this goal. At the same time, end users can expect more stable streaming on weaker internet connections. In the long run, the technology could significantly impact the way video content is distributed.
Before AV2, there's a long road ahead, but the situation looks better than with the competition
Although the launch of the codec is an important event, its popularity won't happen overnight. History shows that the implementation of new video standards can take many years. AV1 made its debut back in 2018, and yet it's still not used by all streaming platforms. Currently, the biggest supporters of this solution remain Netflix and YouTube. At the same time, many services still primarily use the HEVC codec. However, the creators of AV2 are counting on a quicker rollout than its predecessor. This is aided by the fact that the development of the standard is being driven by companies that have a huge influence on the electronic device market. Among them are Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Amazon, Nvidia, and Netflix. These companies are responsible for the development of browsers, Smart TVs, smartphones, computers, and streaming services. In contrast to the competing VVC standard, which has not gained much popularity over the past few years, AV2 has a significantly stronger technological backing. Additionally, many modern devices already support AV1, which may ease the transition to its successor. The first implementations of AV2 will likely begin in the coming years. However, full adoption of the new codec will still take some time.
AV2 has officially joined the ranks of the most important video standards in the market. The new codec aims to provide up to 30 percent better compression efficiency compared to AV1, which could translate to higher streaming quality with lower data usage. Although its implementation will be a process spread over several years, support from the largest tech companies gives it a great chance of success. In the future, AV2 could become one of the foundations of the modern internet and multimedia services.
source: flatpanelshd
