Netflix to roll out AV1 codec streaming for smart TVs, PlayStation 4 Pro

Netflix has announced that they will be rolling out AV1 format to compatible smart TVs and the PlayStation 4 Pro console.

According to Netflix, they started streaming the AV1 format to Android mobile apps which improved its subscriber’s viewing experience, especially with challenging network conditions. Because a number of its subscribers do stream on TVs, Netflix has decided to start streaming AV1 to TVs.

Check out the details and benefits for this new codec format.
• Encoding at the highest available source resolution and frame rate.
• All AV1 streams are encoded with 10 bit-depth even if AV1 Main Profile allows both 8 and 10 bit-depths. This covers a large number of movies and TV shows on the platform.
• Dynamic optimization that allocates more bits to more complex shots to meet a high bar of visual quality.
• Higher Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion.
• Higher compression efficiency, meaning bandwidth needed for streaming is reduced resulting in easier playback.
• Reduced drops in quality by as much as 38% according to Netflix.
• Reduction of in play delay by up to 2%.

The next steps for Netflix include a number of AV1 capable TVs as well as TVs connected with the PS4 Pro. Netflix mentioned that they are working with external partners to enable more and more devices for AV1 streaming.

Source: Netflix