What it’s essential know
- Google confirms it has switched to VideoLAN’s open-source libdav1d codec for AV1 video playback by its March 2024 Play Techniques replace.
- The brand new codec is claimed to have elevated efficiency and effectivity in comparison with the outdated libgav1 codec.
- The brand new software-based codec leverages a tool’s CPU, which suggests extra units can get pleasure from smoother movies with out worrying concerning the required {hardware}.
Google has confirmed that every one units operating Android 12 and up have obtained a brand new software-based AV1 decoder to facilitate smoother movies.
Mishaal Rahman highlighted Google’s confirmation on X, courtesy of Arif Dikici, software program improvement supervisor of Android video and picture codec. Dikici states that Android 12 and up units have obtained the brand new “libdav1d” codec as an OTA (over-the-air) replace. Rahman provides that it was included with the March 2024 Google Play methods replace and past.
Whereas the codec goals to enhance AV1 video playback on Android, Google confirms that “most units” can decode movies at 720p30 with libdav1d. Nonetheless, apps are required to decide into the brand new codec to learn from its capabilities.
Dikici explains that “quickly,” Google will make the brand new codec the default throughout Android’s methods.
Rahman’s analysis exhibits that the brand new software-based codec, developed by VideoLAN, performs higher and is extra environment friendly at decoding AV1 movies.
Google confirms that Android is switching to @videolan’s libdav1d decoder for AV1 video playback! I first reported again in February that Google plans to roll out a Play System Replace that permits libdav1d as Android’s default AV1 software program decoder. Yesterday, Arif Dikici,… pic.twitter.com/m0m2W20GZCApril 18, 2024
The affirmation comes two months after rumors of VideoLAN’s codec on Android began to swirl. The open-source video codec is claimed to leverage a tool’s CPU to deal with the “intricate” duties required for decoding movies easily. Nonetheless, not each machine comes outfitted with the mandatory {hardware} required to do all of the heavy lifting.
On a technical stage, AV1 works to shrink the scale of a video with out sacrificing its high quality within the course of. In flip, this reduces the pressure on a consumer’s mobile knowledge when streaming content material or watching movies on YouTube. Netflix and YouTube have since included AV1 codec help to help a variety of units.
AV1 hasn’t been adopted because the “commonplace” simply but, regardless of Qualcomm and Apple working it into their chips. That advantages flagship fashions, however it leaves midrange and price range units out of the loop. With Google’s affirmation and newest rollout, the software-based AV1 codec ought to alleviate these playback pains for extra customers.