AV1
What is AV1?
AV1 is an advanced, open-source video coding format designed to deliver superior compression efficiency while remaining royalty-free. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), AV1 offers significant improvements over both traditional and modern proprietary codecs, making it an ideal choice for web streaming and content delivery. Compressor fully supports AV1 encoding out of the box, reflecting our commitment to open standards and superior compression technology.
Open Standards Innovation
AV1 represents a breakthrough in video compression technology, developed through collaboration between major technology companies to create a high-performance, patent-free alternative to proprietary codecs. Unlike H.264 and H.265, which require licensing fees, AV1 remains free for anyone to use. As strong proponents of open web standards, Compressor prioritizes AV1 as our primary advanced video codec, enabling users to achieve maximum compression efficiency while supporting the open web ecosystem.
Did You Know?
AV1 is so efficient that many industry experts see it as a potential successor to older codecs like H.264 and H.265. By leveraging collective know-how from top technology companies, AV1 aims to be future-proofed for upcoming advancements in video resolution, including 8K and beyond.
Technical Capabilities
Modern AV1 implementation combines several advanced features:
Compression Efficiency
AV1 typically reduces file sizes by about 30% compared to H.265/HEVC and 50% compared to VP9. For example, a 1080p video that might take up 1GB in VP9 could be compressed to around 500MB using AV1, while keeping the same visual quality. This makes it particularly useful for streaming services and mobile video.
Parallel Processing
The codec can split video encoding tasks across multiple CPU cores and processors. This means a 4K video can be encoded by dividing it into smaller chunks that are processed simultaneously, significantly speeding up the encoding process. However, this comes with higher memory requirements than older codecs.
Quality Scaling
AV1 handles different video qualities smoothly - from low-resolution mobile streams to 4K HDR content. It includes tools to automatically adjust compression based on available bandwidth, which helps prevent buffering and quality drops during streaming. For instance, it can quickly switch from high to lower quality when your internet connection slows down, then back up again without interrupting playback.
FAQs
Is AV1 slower to encode than other codecs?
While AV1 encoding can be more computationally intensive, Compressor leverages powerful infrastructure to deliver efficient processing times.
Why does Compressor prioritize AV1?
We believe in providing our users with the best possible compression technology while supporting open standards. AV1 offers superior compression efficiency, freedom from licensing fees, and represents the future of video compression.
How can Compressor help me if I already use AV1?
Even if your videos are encoded with AV1, you might still want to compress additional files, bundle projects, or optimize attachments. Compressor is designed to handle various compression tasks easily. Just upload your files, choose your settings, and enjoy faster transfers and efficient storage.
Why choose AV1 over H.265/HEVC?
AV1 offers better compression efficiency, completely free licensing, and broad industry support, making it an ideal choice for modern video delivery.