A video codec is an algorithm that compresses a video to send it more easily on the internet, then decompresses it to display it on your device. Without this operation, a 4K film would weigh hundreds of gigabytes, impossible to stream without cuts. The role of a codec is therefore to find the right balance between a reduced weight and the best possible quality. The more efficient the codec, the less the bandwidth is requested and the more fluid the experience.
A visible improvement if everyone follows
Today, even with the most upscale subscription, Netflix or YouTube users do not always benefit from the best possible quality. The reason is due to the way the videos are compressed: for flows to pass without interruption, part of the visual data is sacrificed. Details are lacking, dark areas lose precision, and the experience remains below what is obtained with an ultra HD blu-ray.
With AV2, the situation could change. The codec is announced as ” significantly more efficientThat AV1, itself already 30 % more efficient than standards such as HEVC or VP9. This means that Netflix will be able to offer a high quality image more quickly, even on modest connections. The user would thus benefit from a reduction in cache time and a faster rise in adaptive reading.
For YouTube, the promise is similar: less gourmet bandwidth videos, therefore more accessible in the regions where broadband Internet remains limited. The creators could also distribute content in 4K or 8K with fewer technical constraints and reduced diffusion costs.
Beyond films and series, AV2 also opens the way to new practices. The codec manages the multi-screen better, which will facilitate the simultaneous broadcast of several video flows-for example during sports retransmissions, with several camera angles displayed in parallel. It also supports the contents in augmented and virtual reality better.
There remains the question of adoption. Aomedia brings together giants from the sector – Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Netflix – and 88 % of them are already planning to integrate AV2 within two years. The official launch is planned by the end of the year, which suggests the first commercial uses in 2026.
In theory, AV2 should allow streaming services to offer a richer image, with less cuts while consuming less. But history recalls that AV1, launched in 2018, still takes time to win, especially at Apple. The success of the AV2 will therefore depend on the speed with which the players in the industry, from flea manufacturers to platform software publishers – will integrate it into their products.
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