What do Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube have in common? Before you scratch your head to baldness, all these platforms allow you to upload and view videos on-demand. However, the technology that supports this function is much deeper. From the time you shoot your video until you share it with the world, it has undergone several post-production procedures, including compression using the AV1 codec.
The following is everything you need to know about the AV1 codec. As you keep reading, you will learn about the history of codec AV1, why it is popular, and its application in your video post-production. In addition, you will discover the best video editors to use when working with AV1 format videos. So let your journey to video editing supremacy begin.
Initially, companies relied on proprietary technology to provide you with video content. For example, most video providers were using variants of MPEG codecs to edit their online content, with others preferring for 4K content. However, using this method proved expensive and meant that some companies were missing out on the lucrative video streaming market.
As such, the Alliance for Open Media was formed in 2015 to develop an open-source, royalty-free video codec to outperform all previous versions. Through this collaboration, the Aomedia Video 1 (AV1) codec came to be. Here are some questions to help you understand the technology much better.
What is a codec, and what is the AV01 codec?
A codec is a type of compression technology that consists of two parts:
An encoder compresses the original file to smaller sizes that you can share through the internet or other portable storage.
A decoder to decompress the file to its original format.
In addition, you can use different types of codecs depending on the file format. For example, MPEG codecs were the preferred choice for video files. However, streaming companies now use codec AV1 for their content. This is because it offers faster compression times and smaller files than other previous video codecs.
Is it popular?
Yes, it is. Since its introduction in May 2018, more companies have been integrating the codec in their offerings. Here is a list of companies that offer AV1 codec support:
Google offers AV1 codec support for Chrome web browser and all Android 10+ smart devices, including your mobile and smart TV. In addition, you can also video chat on Google Duo using the AV1 codec.
Microsoft also offers AV1 codec support for their Edge browser.
Other companies that offer codec AV1 support with their software include Opera, Mozilla Firefox, VLC Media Player, and Vivaldi.
Samsung and LG support 8K streaming on their Q950TS and ZX-OLED TVs, respectively.
Intel and NVIDIA also offer HD AV1 support with their graphics processing units.
Additionally, video content providers such as Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube offer AV01 codec support through their devices and online platforms.
Following successful tests in 2018, Facebook now uses the AV1 codec for videos on the platform.
Where is AV1 codec used?
The AV1 codec is offered on a license-free basis to any interested user. Furthermore, the AOMedia patent license is fully compliant with the W3C Patent Policy, meaning you will not face any legal ramifications if you use the technology. As such, you will find the technology available on non-AOMedia member devices. For example, Broadcom offers AV1 codec support on its BCM 72190 and 72180 chipsets for Android TVs.
Part2: What are the best video editors to edit an AV1 format video?
Now that you know what AV1 is, what are the best video editors to edit an AV1 format video? The following are the top 5 video editing software you can use for your HD AV1 videos. In addition, you will also find guides on how to get them on your devices.
Supported video formats: AV1, MPEG, Cinepak, DV, and Windows Media Video, among others
Avidemux is an open-source, cross-platform video editor suitable for beginners. Some of the editing functions you can perform include:
Video trimming
Video Sharing
Video splitting
Video merging
In addition, it offers a user-friendly interface with clearly labeled function keys for fast and easy video editing. Furthermore, the program is not heavy on your system and only requires about 20 MB of storage. But unfortunately, the program only offers basic editing functions, and you do not get customer support when using Avidemux.
Supported video formats: AV1, MOV, MXF, MP4, and MTS, among others
Lightworks is a free video editor for macOS, Windows, and Linux users. Unlike other free video editors, the program has plenty of features to enable you to create Hollywood-worthy videos. Some of the standout features include:
It features a multi-track timeline allowing you to work on different media simultaneously.
The program automatically saves your work after every edit using the Instant auto-saving feature.
The free version gives you access to a rich library of preset effects, including 3D transitions, video titles, and color correction.
You also gain access to the built-in library of stock audio files to add more life to your videos. In addition, the powerful clip-based audio leveling enables you to get the perfect sound for your clips.
In addition, you can export videos up to 720p resolution and use the social media presets for easy uploads. However, using the free version, you can only export to YouTube and Vimeo.
Furthermore, you get 1 active cloud connection to import clips to your timeline.
Title: 2024 Approved AV1 for the Uncharted Beginner