Newsletter
The latest report by XDA hints that two of the major video streaming platforms, YouTube and Netflix, may soon require supporting the AV1 codec for future content.
Well, gone are the days when we used to download and watch videos offline. As fast speed internet is readily available and has become a staple food in every walk of life, streaming has taken over.
However, streaming on mobile data is still limited. Because of limited data available on internet plans. This is the reason the AV1 codec has been a topic of interest in the recent past.
AV1 codec is a better codec to save bandwidth, along with improving the quality of the content. Now, as per a press release about its new VideoSmart VS640 edge computing SoC, Synaptics has given a peek into the future of YouTube and Netflix.
It mentions that the Av1 video format will be a requirement at some point for video content on both YouTube and Netflix. Synaptics itself has announced its VideoSmart VS640 SoC that comes with AV1 codec support.
Google is already asking OEMs to include AV1 codec support in Android TVs launching after March 2021
While this may sound like a big implementation, Google is already on a roll in this path. As per our earlier report, Google is already asking the Android TV manufacturers to include built-in AV1 codec support on Android TVs launching after March 2021.
This means that makers need to include AV1 video codec support in their future Android TVs. This will be essential for them to pass certification to stream certain high-resolution YouTube content. Note that there is no official confirmation yet on this matter by Google.
But there are some cues in the recent statement by Synaptics. Giving us more reasons to believe that the AV1 codec is the future. And big players like YouTube and Netflix will soon support it.
As for the features that AV1 packs, it allows for lossless transmitting over the internet, it is royalty-free thus, scrapping any licensing fees, enhances file compression, etc.
At the moment, it is unclear what kind of YouTube and Netflix content will be delivered in the AV1 codec. Our guess is 4K@60fps HDR and 8K videos.