The Alliance for Open Media has released the final version 1.0.0 specification for AV2, the next-generation video codec. This matters because AV2 promises to cut bandwidth needs by nearly a third compared to its predecessor AV1, which already powers streaming on YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon.
AV2 promises 30-34% bitrate reduction
AV2 is the successor to AV1, an open and royalty-free codec widely adopted by major streaming platforms. The new specification comes from AOMedia, the industry consortium behind AV1. Members include tech giants such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta.
According to official AOMedia evaluations, AV2 delivers a 30 to 34 percent bitrate reduction at equivalent visual quality. That means streaming services can deliver the same picture quality using less data, or improve quality at the same bitrate. However, that efficiency comes at a cost: AV2 decoding is estimated to be roughly five times more complex than AV1 decoding, according to Jean-Baptiste Kempf.
Hardware acceleration is essential for AV2
The higher decoding complexity means software-based playback will be challenging. Hardware acceleration will be necessary for practical use, especially on mobile devices and laptops. AOMedia expects 88 percent of its members to implement AV2 in their products by the second half of 2027.
AV1 took years to gain hardware support, and AV2 faces a similar uphill battle. The fivefold increase in decoding complexity requires new silicon, which takes time to design and deploy. Streaming services will likely adopt AV2 gradually, starting with high-volume content where bandwidth savings justify the transition.
The AV2 specification is now final, giving hardware vendors a clear target. The codec's real-world impact will depend on how quickly chips and devices add support. For now, AV2 sets a new benchmark for compression efficiency, but its success hinges on widespread hardware adoption.
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