The Alliance for Open Media is developing the AV2 video codec, which aims to provide 30% better compression efficiency than AV1. Google plans to begin deploying AV2 on YouTube in early 2027, with support for multi-view streaming, low-latency communications, and improved HDR rendering.
The transition to this new format represents a critical infrastructure shift for high-bandwidth services like YouTube and Netflix, potentially lowering delivery costs while enabling 8K and VR content. By integrating multi-view and low-latency features directly into the architecture, the Alliance for Open Media is positioning the standard to compete against the VVC (H.266) codec, which has seen slower market penetration. The success of this rollout hinges on the streaming ecosystem's ability to secure hardware-based decoding in consumer devices. Watch for announcements from major chip manufacturers regarding native support for the new standard throughout 2026.
The Alliance for Open Media is developing the AV2 video codec, which offers 30% better compression efficiency than AV1. Google plans to deploy this format on YouTube in early 2027. This shift is significant as it aims to lower delivery costs while enabling high-bandwidth content like 8K and VR streaming.
Google plans to begin deploying the AV2 video codec on the web version of YouTube in early 2027.
AV2 targets a 30% improvement in compression efficiency compared to its predecessor, AV1, allowing for reduced bandwidth usage or increased resolution at constant bitrates.
The Alliance for Open Media, which includes members such as Google, Netflix, Amazon, and Meta, is currently developing the necessary encoders, decoders, and hardware chipsets for the new standard.
AV2 includes native multi-view synchronization, low-latency capabilities for real-time communication, and improved HDR rendering designed to reduce banding.
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