AV2 Codec: The Future of Video Compression is Coming

According to The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), the standards for the AV2 video codec are being finalised, with plans to release the specification by the end of 2025. The alliance, whose members include Google, Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Intel, the Mozilla Foundation, Netflix, NVIDIA, Tencent, and Microsoft, has already introduced AV1 and the AVIF image format, and AV2 represents a major leap forward from AV1.

AV2 is described as delivering significantly improved compression efficiency and enhanced support for AR/VR applications, multi-program split-screen playback, and screen content processing across a wider range of visual quality. AOMedia also stresses that its open media principles are supported by a royalty-free patent policy, making technologies broadly accessible while not being open source.

Surveys cited in the article indicate that 88% of AOMedia’s 49 member companies rate AV1 as critical or highly important, and 53% plan to adopt AV2 within 12 months of its release, with 88% expecting to implement AV2 support within the next two years.