Charting the Future: VVC and AV2 Revolutionizing 4K and 8K Video Delivery
The drive for richer visual experiences has propelled 4K and 8K resolutions to the forefront of the video industry. These higher resolutions offer mesmerizing detail and clarity, transforming our viewing experience. However, the increased data volume that comes with these formats demands more efficient compression techniques. This is where the emerging video codecs, Versatile Video Coding (VVC) and AOMedia Video 2 (AV2), promise to be game-changers. In this blog post, we delve into their impact on 4K and 8K video delivery, explore examples of these codecs at work, and discuss the status quo of hardware and software decoders and their current market adoption.
The Foundations: HEVC and AV1
To appreciate the future, it’s crucial to understand the present. The foundational role of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265) and AOMedia Video 1 (AV1) can’t be overstated. For instance, a 4K video clip encoded using HEVC might have a bitrate of 15 Mbps, while an 8K video clip might require about 80 Mbps. These figures have enabled the proliferation of 4K streaming on platforms like Netflix and even laid the groundwork for 8K broadcasting.
Building on this, AV1 provides an impressive improvement in efficiency, delivering similar quality to HEVC at a reduced bitrate. For example, the same 4K clip encoded in AV1 could require a bitrate of approximately 12 Mbps, and the 8K clip might be reduced to around 60 Mbps.
The Game Changers: VVC and AV2
The latest advancements, VVC and AV2, promise even better compression efficiency. For instance, a 4K clip encoded in VVC might only need a bitrate of about 10 Mbps, while an 8K clip could be reduced to around 40 Mbps, both maintaining the same visual quality as their HEVC equivalents.
AV2, still in its early stages, aims to provide a royalty-free, highly efficient alternative. Initial reports indicate that a 4K video encoded with AV2 could maintain the same quality as AV1 but reduce the bitrate to around 9 Mbps. Similarly, an 8K video could potentially be compressed to around 48 Mbps. However, as AV2 is still in development, we can expect further improvements in its compression performance, especially for 8K content.
Codec Evolution: A Snapshot
Consider the following bar chart for a clearer comparison:
As can be seen from the chart, both VVC and AV2 demonstrate promising performance in terms of bitrate savings, particularly when it comes to 8K content encoding.
The universal adoption of these codecs, however, isn’t solely about their encoding performance. Compatibility with decoders in the market, especially in commonly used devices such as televisions and smartphones, is a crucial factor. Currently, the majority of smart TVs and top-tier smartphones are capable of decoding HEVC and AV1 content. VVC support is gradually emerging in the newest models, and in due time, AV2 will follow suit. It’s a period of transition, and these technologies will need time to achieve widespread adoption, similar to their predecessors.
In summary, the 4K and 8K video delivery landscape is vibrant and ripe with potential. With VVC and AV2 leading the charge, the promise of superior video content delivered more efficiently is a reality within reach. These early stages of adoption may present a few challenges, but the journey has been set in motion, and the destination is clear. The dawn of a new era in video delivery is upon us, and it’s brimming with promise.
