Next-generation image format "AVIF" using compression technology of next-generation video codec "AV 1"

With the aim of developing a royalty-free video codec, the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), which includes Google, Mozilla, Netflix, etc., will add the next generation video codecAV1"Has been developed. By using the encoding technology of AV1 expected to be the favorite of its next-generation video codec, it is also possible to use a royalty-free image (still image) format "AV1 Still Image File Format (AVIF)"Has been developed.

AV1 Still Image File Format (AVIF)
https://aomediacodec.github.io/av1-avif/


By utilizing the encoding technology of AV1, "AVIF" is developed aiming at high compression ratio of high image quality & small size. AVIF is a file format (so-called container), and compression techniques other than AV1 will be available.

As an example of exploiting the encoding technology of such a moving picture codec for compressing still pictures, we will use "HEVC (H.265)HEIF (HIEF)"Using VP 8 or"WebP (web)HEIF is known by AppleIt is already adopted in iOS and macOS.

HDR and WCG (wide color gamut) technology etc. are reflected in the encoding of the next generation video codec AV 1, but AVIF will also be compatible with HDR and WCG. In addition to having a master image and thumbnail images of smaller sizes, Image Collection etc. which shares properties and metadata, etc., with the aim of becoming the successor format of JPEG which is the image format standard Development is ongoing. On December 13, 2017, the draft "AVIF version 1.0", which is the initial version, has been released and preparations for official release are in progress.

The following sites can compare the image quality of compressed images using AV1 in addition to JPEG and X.265.

AV1 Still Image Comparison
https://people.xiph.org/~tdaede/av1stilldemo/