Mar 30, 2023 21:00:00

YouTube supports live distribution using AV1 and enables ultra-lightweight distribution of 4K 60fps movies

It has become clear that YouTube has started a beta test of live distribution using the video codec '

AV1 '. Users who participated in the beta test reported that they were able to achieve live streaming with image quality equivalent to that of conventional codecs at an overwhelmingly low bitrate.

AV1 Live Streaming Is Finally Coming To YouTube | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/av1-live-streaming-is-finally-coming-to-youtube

The AV1 codec is a video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media, a non-profit organization that includes major technology manufacturers such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. AV1 is attracting a lot of attention because it can achieve a higher compression ratio than HEVC (H.265) and does not require a license fee when used, and various software, hardware, and services are steadily supporting it. increase.

Can Apple's open source video codec 'AV1' really take over the industry standard? -GIGAZINE

Around 2023, a new beta test of live distribution using AV1 will start on YouTube. YouTuber EposVox , who participated in the beta test, has released a movie summarizing the bit rate in live distribution using AV1.

AV1 Streaming is LIVE! First Look at REVOLUTIONARY Quality-YouTube


YouTube's official help requires that the bit rate be set in the range of 9000 Kbps to 18,000 Kbps when performing live distribution of 1440p / 60fps.

However, when Mr. EposVox tried live distribution at a very low bit rate of 500 Kbps using the AV1 codec, although it can not be said that the image quality is high, it succeeded in distributing with a level of image quality that can be understood without problems. .

Subsequently, as a result of setting the bit rate to 8 Mbps (about 8000 Kbps) at 1440 p / 60 fps, we succeeded in delivering high image quality and low data transfer amount.

Furthermore, as a result of searching for a bit rate that can achieve high image quality and low data transfer volume with 4K 60 fps setting, it was possible to realize comfortable live distribution at 15 Mbps (about 15,000 Kbps).

The official help recommends setting the bitrate between 20,000 Kbps and 51,000 Kbps when live streaming at 4K/60fps. In other words, if you use the AV1 codec, you can achieve high-quality live distribution even at a bit rate below the recommended lower limit of the conventional codec.

As mentioned above, live distribution using the AV1 codec on YouTube is under beta testing, and the timing of official provision is not clear.