In the first month of 2018, the landscape of video codec standards was anything but calm. Apple joined the AOM Alliance to support AV1, while the domestic AVS2 announced its open-source release. Meanwhile, Leonardo Chiariglione, founder and chairman of MPEG, stated that “the MPEG business model has broken down.†Although AV1 and AVS2 are still in development, they offer users more choices, marking a shift in the industry.
Fu Deliang, a senior R&D manager at Hulu, provided an insightful analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of mainstream codecs and shared his recommendations for choosing the right codec. As the video industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by the internet, it has enabled global access to high-density video content. However, the transition between video codec standards—critical to the industry’s growth—remains uncertain.
H.264, the most successful video codec standard, has been widely adopted across encoders and decoders, from streaming services to mobile devices. Its success is attributed to advanced compression efficiency and a relatively open licensing model. HEVC, the successor to H.264, offers even better performance but faces challenges due to complex patent licensing and high costs.
VP9, developed by Google, is another strong contender, offering open-source benefits and good browser support. However, it lacks widespread encoder support and hardware decoding coverage. AV1, backed by major tech companies, aims to provide a free and open alternative to HEVC. Despite its potential, AV1 is still young and faces challenges in standardization and hardware implementation.
Other emerging standards like AVS2 and FVC also show promise. When choosing a codec, companies must consider factors such as decoder support, encoder maturity, feature compatibility, and business needs. The decision isn’t straightforward, as each standard has its strengths and limitations.
For online streaming platforms, selecting the right encoder involves evaluating quality metrics, encoding speed, common bitrates, content characteristics, and feature support. A flexible architecture that supports multiple codecs and encoders may be the best approach in this evolving landscape.
Ultimately, the future of video coding remains uncertain, with multiple standards competing for dominance. Whether HEVC will maintain its lead, or AV1 will rise, the next few years will be crucial for the industry. As users demand higher quality and new features, the battle for the next generation of video standards will continue to shape the digital world.
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