Netflix’s AV1 Journey: From Android to TVs and Beyond (netflixtechblog.com)

Article summary

Netflix has been using the open-source AV1 video codec to stream content to its members, with approximately 30% of all Netflix viewing now using AV1. The company began supporting AV1 on Android devices in 2020 and has since expanded support to smart TVs, web browsers, and other devices. AV1 offers improved compression efficiency and new features such as high dynamic range (HDR) and film grain synthesis. Netflix plans to continue using AV1 and is also looking forward to the release of the next-generation AV2 codec.

Main themes

• AV1 adoption
• Video codec technology
• Streaming efficiency
• Open-source standards
• Device support
• Content protection

What commenters say

• The use of open-source codecs like AV1 benefits the entire industry, even if the content is protected by proprietary DRM.
• Proprietary DRM is necessary for content providers like Netflix to protect their business model, despite its limitations.
• The effectiveness of DRM in preventing piracy is questionable, and it may be more of a security theater than a real deterrent.
• The loudness war in the music industry has not been fully resolved, and similar issues may arise with HDR video content.
• Streaming services have helped to normalize audio loudness, but the mastering process still prioritizes compression over dynamic range.
• HDR video can be problematic, particularly when used for text overlays, and may need to be normalized or removed in certain cases.
• The concept of HDR for audio is already supported through high-bit-depth formats, but it does not change the way volumes are mapped.
• The use of AV1 and other open-source codecs can drive innovation and improve the overall streaming experience, even if it is not a direct solution to piracy or content protection.