10 years after its founding and 7 years after releasing the open video codec AV1, the Alliance for Open Media has announced that the next evolution, AV2, is set for release by year-end.
The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) includes major industry players such as Amazon, AMD, Apple, Disney, Google, Intel, LG, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Samsung.
Back in 2018, AOMedia released the AV1 video codec as a royalty-free alternative to HEVC. HEVC, however, remains the dominant codec for 4K and HDR content, despite Netflix and YouTube adopting AV1 for select streams.
Here comes AV2
The next-generation AV2 codec is designed to be more efficient and competitive with VVC (H.266), HEVC's (H.265) successor. The alliance described it as a "foundational piece" of its future tech stack.
- "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," announced AOMedia.
Also read: New VVC video codec 41% more efficient than HEVC for 8K, study finds
How much better than AV1? The alliance did not provide estimates for 4K or 8K video, so we will have to wait for the public release in late 2025 for answers.
Members ready to embrace AV2
AOMedia claimed that 53% of its members plan to adopt AV2 within 12 months of its final release, and 88% expect implementation within two years.
If realized, this would be a faster adoption rate than AV1. However, it will ultimately depend on how members implement the codec and on AV2’s integration into hardware such as TVs, media players, PCs, handheld devices and encoders.
- "At AOMedia, we believe innovation thrives when it’s open," said Dr. Pierre-Anthony Lemieux, Executive Director of AOMedia. "Our standards benefit from input from innovators worldwide and are developed under a royalty-free patent policy, bringing next-generation media experiences to more people, faster. We’re excited to share AV2 with the world, as we continue to lead the way in shaping the future of media through open collaboration."
