The Future of Codecs

The world of online streaming has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, revolutionizing the way we consume media.

As video streaming becomes more ubiquitous and higher quality content becomes the norm, the role of codecs in delivering efficient and high-fidelity video is becoming increasingly critical.

We're going to explore the future of codecs by drawing insights from forecasts and expert opinions outlined in a recent report from Streaming Media.

HEVC (H.265) Continues to Dominate

High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, has been the go-to codec for high-quality video compression, providing significant bitrate savings compared to its predecessor, H.264. The report indicates that HEVC will maintain its dominance in the streaming industry for the foreseeable future. As 4K and 8K content become more prevalent, HEVC's efficient compression capabilities will remain essential for delivering high-resolution video without overburdening network infrastructure.

AV1's Rapid Rise

The Alliance for Open Media's AV1 codec has been gaining momentum in recent years, and the report predicts it will continue to rise in popularity. AV1 offers impressive compression efficiency, providing substantial bitrate reduction while maintaining quality comparable to HEVC. The codec's royalty-free nature has attracted support from major players in the streaming industry, making it an attractive option for content creators and service providers looking to reduce licensing costs.

VVC (H.266) on the Horizon

As technology never stands still, the next-generation video codec, Versatile Video Coding (VVC) or H.266, is poised to make its mark. VVC promises to bring even greater compression efficiency, enabling higher-quality streaming at lower bitrates. The report suggests that as hardware support for VVC matures, content creators and distributors will increasingly adopt this codec, further driving the proliferation of 4K and 8K content.

The Rise of Per-Title Encoding

Per-title encoding is a technique that tailors the video encoding settings based on the characteristics of each individual piece of content. By optimizing the encoding parameters, per-title encoding achieves higher quality while reducing the overall bitrate, resulting in a better viewing experience. The report emphasizes that this approach will become more prevalent as streaming platforms seek to maximize the quality-to-bandwidth ratio for their diverse content libraries.

AI-Powered Codecs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are poised to revolutionize video encoding. AI-powered codecs can intelligently analyze video content, adapt encoding settings, and apply advanced algorithms to optimize compression. The report suggests that AI-based codecs will become increasingly prevalent, further improving streaming quality, and driving a more personalized user experience.

Real-Time Content Adaptation

With the proliferation of devices with varying screen sizes and network conditions, real-time content adaptation will become vital. Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) have laid the foundation for adaptive streaming. The report forecasts that future codecs will build upon this foundation, offering even more granular content adaptation to ensure the best possible quality for each user.

The future of codecs in the streaming industry is poised for exciting advancements.

As 4K and 8K content become mainstream, codecs like HEVC, AV1, and VVC will continue to dominate the landscape.

Per-title encoding and AI-powered codecs will further enhance streaming quality, offering a personalized experience for viewers.

Moreover, real-time content adaptation will ensure seamless streaming across various devices and network conditions.