About AV1 & H.265
Before getting into AV1 vs H.265, let’s understand the video codec and its importance.
A video codec is a hardware or software that compresses and decompresses digital video to make the video file size smaller and upload for the Internet. For instance, the uncompressed footage you shot has a large file size and it will rise with the increasing quality of the video. To make this video file size smaller, you have to use a video codec.
In other words, a video codec is a specialized compression standard or algorithm to reduce the video file size.
What Is AV1?
Developed by Alliance for Open Media, AV1 (AOMedia Video 1), a successor to VP9, is an open and royalty-free video codec initially designed for video transmissions over the Internet. Because of its royalty-free licensing modes, this video coding format can be used by anyone without paying royalties to the developers.
What Is H.265?
H.265, also known as HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) or MPEG-H Part 2, is a video compression standard and it’s developed as the successor to a widely-used codec – AVC, H.264.
Compared to AVC, HEVC provides 25% to 50% better data compression at the same level of video quality, or significantly higher video quality at the same bitrate. And, it supports resolutions up to 8192×4320, including 8K UHD.
MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
AV1 vs H.265: 3 Aspects
After learning about the basic information, now, let’s focus on the differences between AV1 vs HEVC/H.265 from the following aspects.
#Compression Ratio and Quality
When you need a video codec to reduce the file size of a 4K video, you have to consider the compression ratio. Undoubtedly, the video quality will decrease as you keep compressing it. Therefore, when you select a video codec, both the compression ratio and quality should be taken into consideration.
Generally speaking, AV1 delivers better compressibility and better image quality than H.265. If you want the best video compression without degrading the quality, AV1 is right for you.
#Compatibility
If you want to play a video on a certain device, it should have the same codec to decompress the video. Hence, compatibility is also an important factor you should consider when choosing a compression standard.
AV1 is a relatively new and complex algorithm to reduce the video file size but it can’t be viewed on many devices. Instead, it’s mainly used by web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, but Safari and Microsoft Edge don’t support AV1 codec.
In comparison to AV1, H.265/HEVC has better compatibility. This video codec is supported by various devices like iPhone, iPad, Samsung, HTC mobiles, and more. Moreover, most cameras like GoPro, DJI drones, and Canon use HEVC codes to record videos. Also, HEVC codec is compatible with modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
In terms of compatibility, HEVC codec wins when it comes to AV1 vs HEVC. However, Windows doesn’t have the HEVC codec by default. You need to install the HEVC codec on your PC to play HEVC video with Media Player or Movies & TV.
#Encoding Speed
No matter what you do, it takes time, and video compression is no exception. So, encoding speed is another important factor to consider when you choose a codec between AV1 and HEVC to reduce video file size.
AV1 has better encoding efficiency than HEVC. On the other hand, it requires more encoding time and it almost takes 3x the encoding time of HEVC to encode a video.
Conclusion
That’s all about AV1 vs H.265 in this post. Every video codec has unique features, and you should choose the perfect one according to your needs. If you want the best video quality, use AV1. If you need better compatibility, H.265/HEVC is the right option.
You may also like:
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Cora works as an editor at MiniTool for many years, writing articles about video editing, video conversion, and screen recording. She also writes articles about Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. During her spare time, Cora loves reading, traveling, and watching movies.