Using AV1 Video Extensions on Windows

AV1 is a free video compression standard. According to Cisco, video content accounts for over 70% of all Internet traffic, and that number is expected to grow to over 80% by 2021. In the past, many companies have developed proprietary codecs, but the AV1 standard makes file sizes much smaller and image quality better. Despite the drawbacks, av1 is an open-source codec, and developers are encouraged to submit suggestions for improvements.

In order to use this codec on Windows devices, you must first install the AV1 video coding standard. After installing the AV1 video extension, go to Settings > System Updates and select ‘Applications’. Choose the AV1 option, and click Continue. You’ll see a message that says your device has AV1 supported video extensions. This is a beta version, so it may not work perfectly or may cause performance issues.

The AV1 video codec is royalty-free, which means it will never cost anyone anything to use. This means it won’t be subject to patent claims or licensing fees. The Alliance for Open Media is pushing for even bigger gains, so you’ll likely see it on newer devices in the near future. You can also expect AV1 to become a standard in a few years. However, there are several caveats with using this codec.