Title: The Rise of AV1: Transforming Netflix Streaming and Paving the Way for AV2
Overview:
Since its debut in 2018, the AV1 codec has rapidly gained traction across a variety of platforms, from small start-ups to giant streaming services, all aiming to cut down on bandwidth use while delivering stunning visuals. Netflix, a key proponent of AV1, is committed to broadening its applications and exploring its upcoming successor, AV2.
Netflix has revealed that AV1 now accounts for nearly a third of all its streaming content. In a recent post on Medium, the company detailed its pivotal role in developing the codec and its ongoing implementation across numerous devices.
Launched by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia)—a group that boasts members like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft—AV1 was designed to supersede Google’s VP9 codec. It offers a more efficient method of data compression than the longstanding H.264 standard and does so with no associated licensing fees, unlike H.265/HEVC.
Widespread Adoption and Performance Gains
In recent years, decoding and encoding capabilities for AV1 have surged across modern smartphones, computer graphics chips, and other gadgets. This expansion has earned accolades from users ranging from major corporations to indie creators, who have appreciated the codec’s impressive performance improvements.
Netflix initially initiated AV1 adoption on Android in 2020, taking advantage of the codec’s flexibility and the prevalence of mobile streaming. By leveraging the optimized dav1d library, Netflix significantly enhanced video playback for users reliant on cellular networks.
Transitioning to smart TVs and home devices, however, called for hardware-accelerated decoding, which Netflix has gradually integrated through collaborations with SoC manufacturers. The rollout began in late 2021 for TVs, progressed to web browsers in 2022, and was extended to Apple’s M3 and A17 Pro chips in 2023.
A New Era for HDR Streaming
In 2023, Netflix upgraded to AV1 for HDR streaming using HDR10+, now encompassing 85% of its HDR library. The streaming giant aims to migrate all HDR content to AV1 very soon, enhancing the viewer experience significantly.
One of the exciting features of AV1 includes its capability for smarter film grain integration via Film Grain Synthesis. This innovative process removes grain during encoding and reintroduces it in the decoder, reducing bandwidth needs while ensuring quality remains intact. Netflix anticipates that the codec will also amplify live-streaming experiences with customizable graphics and improve cloud gaming performance.
Looking Ahead: The Future with AV2
AOMedia has announced plans to introduce AV2 by the year’s end, promising even better compression efficiency than AV1 while supporting advanced technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and split-screen streaming.
This advancement will be particularly beneficial for Netflix, especially with its recent landmark acquisition of Warner Bros for an astounding $82.7 billion. This move grants Netflix access to a treasure trove of popular franchises, including Game of Thrones and DC Comics, as well as numerous video game studios.
As Netflix continues to embrace and advocate for AV1 and its successor, the landscape of streaming technology is poised for a transformation that will enhance viewing experiences across the board.