AOMedia unveils next-generation AV2 Video Codex
AOMedia plans to release its new AV2 video codec before the end of 2025
The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) has confirmed that it plans to release its next-generation video codec (AV2) before the end of this year. With this new codec, AOMedia promises “significantly better compression performance than AV1”, the video codec the group launched seven years ago.
AOMedia is an industry group that includes industry partners like Amazon, AMD, Apple, Disney, Microsoft, Nvidia, and others. AV1 is a royalty-free video codec that acts as an alternative to HEVC. Even now, HEVC remains the dominant codec. AV2 is designed to be more efficient than VVC, HEVC’s successor. This should result in higher levels of video streaming quality without requiring additional bandwidth.
AV2, a generation leap in open video coding and the answer to the world’s growing streaming demands, delivers significantly better compression performance than AV1. AV2 provides enhanced support for AR/VR applications, split-screen delivery of multiple programs, improved handling of screen content, and an ability to operate over a wider visual quality range. AV2 marks a milestone on the path to an open, innovative future of media experiences.
– AOMedia
AOMedia claims that 53% of its partners aim to adopt AV2 within 12 months of its finalisation later this year. 88% of their partners aim to implement it within two years of release. If that’s true, that should bring AV2 codec support to a wide range of future media and devices.
Like all new codecs, AV2 promises higher levels of image quality without increasing bandwidth requirements. As always, its adoption will depend on how long it takes for devices to support the standard. Furthermore, it depends on how long it takes for enough devices to support it for streaming companies to take it seriously. After all, even if new devices support it, older devices won’t. Older codecs will always be supported by a broader range of devices.
You can join the discussion on AOMedia’s upcoming AV2 video codec on the OC3D Forums.
