Streaming high-quality video comes with a familiar challenge: The better the picture gets, the more data it takes to deliver. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), the AV1 codec delivers strong visual quality at lower bitrates, helping streaming platforms make more efficient use of the available bandwidth as video streaming resolutions increase.
But compression efficiency is only part of the story. For video teams streaming online, the AV1 codec’s efficiency makes a difference at higher resolutions. This guide explores how AV1 works and what video teams should consider before adopting it.
What is the AV1 codec?
AV1, or AOMedia Video 1, is an open and royalty-free video codec engineered to efficiently compress video for storage and streaming. A codec differs from a video file format, which determines how users package video, audio, and other data together in a file.
AV1 is a modern alternative to older video standards. Its royalty-free licensing model allows companies to implement the codec without licensing fees associated with other codecs. AOMedia provides its own AV1 encoding and decoding software, called libaom. Most video creators and streaming teams won’t need to work with libaom directly because AV1 support is typically part of the software and platforms they already use.
Why does AV1 matter for video streaming?
Streaming video is a balancing act between maintaining picture quality and managing the amount of data necessary to deliver it. AV1 gives video platforms more freedom to maintain good image quality at lower bitrates than many older codecs.
As a royalty-free coding format, AV1 lets users avoid licensing fees necessary with some other standards.
How AV1 reduces bitrate and bandwidth
Bitrate measures how much data streaming services use to deliver video in a given period, typically in bits per second. By pushing the bitrate too low, you can lose image quality. At higher bitrates, viewers need more streaming bandwidth to keep the video playing smoothly.
More efficient compression helps AV1 get more out of bitrate data. A streaming platform can encode an AV1 stream at a lower bitrate while maintaining similar visual quality to a stream encoded with an older codec.
AV1’s impact on efficient image quality only increases with higher-resolution video. Streaming in 4K requires moving a lot of data. Lowering the bitrate can make those streams easier to deliver over connections with limited bandwidth. Multiply those savings across a large streaming audience, and the amount of data necessary to deliver high resolution can drop considerably.
The tradeoff: AV1 takes more work to encode
AV1 video encoding can require more time and processing power, depending on the encoder and hardware doing the work. A team encoding a handful of finished videos may barely notice. A platform processing thousands of videos has to account for extra video encoding work.
Newer hardware with built-in AV1 video encoding can speed up that process, so AV1 encode times depend heavily on your system.
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AV1 vs. HEVC, VP9, and H.264
There isn’t one video codec that’s best for every job. AV1, HEVC, VP9, and H.264 trade advantages and disadvantages between compression, encoding demands, licensing, and devices that can play finished video.
| Codec | Compression | Licensing | Compatibility | Best suited for |
| AV1 | High efficiency, with good quality at lower bitrates | Royalty-free | Growing support across modern browsers, devices, and hardware | Streaming where bandwidth efficiency is a priority |
| H.264/AVC | Less efficient than newer codecs | May involve licensing fees | Very broad support across browsers, devices, and video software | Workflows where reliable playback across older and newer devices matters |
| HEVC/H.265 | More efficient than H.264, particularly for higher-resolution video | Licensing fees may apply | Strong support on many newer devices, but less universal than H.264 | High-resolution video and workflows with compatible hardware |
| VP9 | More efficient than H.264 in many streaming scenarios | Royalty-free | Broad browser support, although hardware support varies | Web video and streaming workflows already built around VP9 |
The AV1 codec is a strong option when bitrate reduction is essential and your audience has compatible devices. H.264, also known as AVC, remains useful when playback needs to work across the widest possible range of hardware and software. HEVC can be a practical choice for high-resolution video, while VP9 continues to serve web-based streaming well.
Your encoding workflow matters, too. A codec that saves bandwidth may require more time or computing resources to encode, while another may be easier to produce and play almost anywhere. Before choosing a codec and encoder, consider where viewers will see the video and what your existing video workflow can support.
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Where is AV1 supported?
AV1 support is now common, but whether a video plays correctly still depends on the user’s browser, software, and hardware. Browsers may understand the AV1 codec, while an older operating system or media player does not. Some devices can only support AV1 decoding through software processing, rather than dedicated hardware.
Check the software you already use
A device can decode AV1 using software, with the CPU handling the processing, or through dedicated hardware built for the codec. Hardware decoding usually requires less processing power, and the difference becomes more noticeable with higher-resolution video.
If you regularly watch 4K or other demanding AV1 video, hardware support can help deliver smoother playback while reducing the strain on your system. Device and chip manufacturers usually list supported video codecs in their technical specifications.
Use official codec support when it’s required
Some operating systems may need an additional component before they can play AV1 video. Windows users, for example, can install Microsoft’s official AV1 video extension when AV1 playback support is missing.
Stick with extensions and downloads provided by the operating system, browser, device manufacturer, or official app store. Outdated third-party codec packs can add software you don’t need and are rarely the recommended first step for fixing AV1 playback.
Stream high-quality video with Vimeo
AV1 encoders work behind the scenes — splitting frames into smaller, flexible blocks based on the level of detail or movement in the image — to efficiently deliver high-quality video. The codec reduces bandwidth and supports better streaming playback at lower bitrates.
Vimeo takes care of much of that work so creators and businesses can focus on their videos’ content instead of the technology necessary to deliver them. From upload to playback, Vimeo handles the technical side of getting high-quality video to your audience.
If you want a simpler way to publish high-quality video and make sure it reaches your audience reliably, Vimeo provides one simple platform for hosting and streaming.
FAQ
When should you choose AV1 over HEVC for streaming?
AV1 can be a strong choice when reducing bandwidth is a priority and your audience uses compatible devices. Its royalty-free licensing is also useful for platforms delivering video at scale. HEVC may make more sense when your existing workflow or target devices already have strong H.265 support.
How do I know if my device supports AV1 playback?
Check your device manufacturer’s specifications or support documentation to see whether your device supports AV1 decoding. For high-resolution playback, check whether your device includes hardware AV1 decoding rather than relying entirely on software.
What impact does AV1 have on video quality at lower bitrates?
AV1’s compression can preserve more visual detail at lower bitrates than older codecs, such as H.264. That helps streams maintain good picture quality while sending less data. Final results will still depend on the source video and encoding settings.
