VeriSilicon debuts first AV2 hardware decoding IP to boost compression efficiency
VeriSilicon has announced that its VC9800D Video Processing Unit (VPU) IP now supports AV2 decoding, expanding its advanced video codec portfolio. This development enables next-generation video technologies in consumer and multimedia devices, supporting high-quality video at lower bitrates and is based on the AV2 V1.0 specification from AOMedia.
Key Takeaways
- VC9800D IP now supports the AV2 V1.0 specification, providing superior compression over the existing AV1 standard.
- Hardware performance scales from single-core 8K at 30fps to dual-core 8K at 60fps for high-end multimedia platforms.
- Integrated multi-format support includes VVC/H.266, HEVC, and AV1, ensuring backward compatibility for global OTT and mobile ecosystems.
- VeriSilicon has already shipped the AV2-enabled IP to multiple global customers for rapid deployment in next-generation consumer devices.
Why It Matters
The commercial availability of AV2 decoding IP marks a critical transition from theoretical codec design to tangible hardware support. By enabling 8K at 60fps with reduced bitrates, VeriSilicon addresses the bandwidth constraints currently stalling high-fidelity streaming in bandwidth-sensitive mobile and automotive markets. This move puts pressure on rival IP providers to accelerate their own AV2 and VVC roadmaps as original equipment manufacturers begin locking in SoC designs for the 2027–2028 device cycles. Watch for whether YouTube and Netflix start labeling AV2-compatible streams within the next 18 months, signaling the start of a broad ecosystem shift away from AV1.
Additional Context
The release of VeriSilicon's AV2 IP aligns with a flurry of activity following the Alliance for Open Media's (AOMedia) official publication of the AV2 v1.0.0 specification on May 29, 2026. This milestone ended years of development aimed at achieving a 30% compression efficiency gain over AV1, per AOMedia documentation. While AV1 has seen significant adoption from YouTube and Netflix, achieving over 30% content delivery on some platforms, the industry has historically struggled with slow hardware penetration. According to industry analysis from HDTVTest in June 2026, while software decoders are arriving now, mainstream hardware support in smart TVs is not expected at scale until late 2027 or 2028. VeriSilicon is facing immediate competition in the silicon IP market. On June 10, 2026, South Korean IP provider Chips&Media announced it had also completed development of its WAVE63F1 hardware decoder IP with AV2 support, targeting the North American OTT market. These simultaneous launches suggest a race to capture the next generation of SoC designs. Per recent financial reporting from Yicai Global, VeriSilicon has maintained its position as the top semiconductor IP provider in China and remains seventh globally by revenue, with a growing focus on AI-driven multimedia processing to differentiate its VPU offerings from generic alternatives. Furthermore, the competition between royalty-free and licensed codecs remains a central industry tension. While AV2 targets 30% gains over its predecessor, the Versatile Video Coding (VVC/H.266) standard has already seen early deployment in specific markets like Brazil. However, AOMedia's royalty-free model continues to attract major founding members including Apple, Google, and Meta. As noted by AOMedia in June 2026, the finalization of the AV2 bitstream now allows for the development of ISO BMFF container bindings and conformance testing streams, which are essential for integrating the codec into professional broadcast and streaming workflows.
Read full article at content-technology.com
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