AV1 Video Extension 1.3.4.0

AV1 Video Extension is an official add-on developed by Microsoft for Windows, which allows playback and encoding of videos in the AV1 format, an advanced video codec created by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia). This codec, the successor to VP9 and competitor to H.265/HEVC, is open-source and royalty-free, ensuring high efficiency in video compression with superior quality.

Main features

• Efficient compression: Offers about 30% more efficiency than HEVC in 4K videos, reducing file sizes without significant quality loss, ideal for streaming and storage.
• Superior quality: Supports resolutions up to 8K, HDR, and 10 or 12-bit colors, providing sharp and vibrant images.
• Wide compatibility: Allows playback of AV1 videos in formats such as MP4, WebM, and MKV on streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, Twitch) and local files.
• Hardware support: On PCs with compatible GPUs or CPUs (such as NVIDIA RTX 30, AMD Radeon RX 6000, or Intel 11th generation), it uses hardware decoding, reducing power and resource consumption.
• Open format: With no licensing costs, it facilitates adoption by developers and companies, promoting greater accessibility.

The AV1 Video Extension is essential for those who want to enjoy high-quality content with less bandwidth and storage usage. Some older devices may require third-party players, such as VLC, or format conversion for compatibility.