AV2 Open-Source Video Encoding Format Expected to Release This Week
AV2 Open-Source Video Encoding Format Expected to Release This Week
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AV2 Open-Source Video Encoding Format Expected to Release This Week
Multiple converging signals — a version-1.0.0 commit in the AVM reference implementation, a changelog pre-dated to May 29, and a newly released open-source decoder — have led the industry to widely expect the official debut of AV2 on Thursday.
AV2, the successor to AV1 developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), has been under development for more than five years as an open-source, royalty-free video encoding standard. Originally announced at AOMedia’s 10th anniversary in September 2025 with a year-end 2025 target, the specification ultimately slipped past that deadline. Now, with multiple signs aligning, an official release appears imminent — expected on May 29, 2026.
The Dav2d Decoder: VideoLAN Steps Forward
A few weeks ago, on May 2–3, VideoLAN published the source code for dav2d, an open-source, CPU-based AV2 decoder. Version 0.0.1 — codenamed “Merbanan” — was described by VideoLAN president Jean-Baptiste Kempf as “a very early preview release of an AV2 decoder.” The project directly follows the lineage of dav1d, VideoLAN’s highly regarded AV1 decoder known for its speed and cross-platform correctness.
The dav2d codebase is designed to be embeddable in closed-source software and drivers without requiring source disclosure, broadening its potential adoption path. Developers are continuing work on the full C implementation, a stable API, and platform-specific performance optimizations for AVX2, ARM, and RISC-V architectures. The release of dav2d was widely interpreted as a strong signal that AV2 ecosystem tooling is entering an active implementation phase.
Compression Gains and Technical Scope
AOMedia published a draft AV2 bitstream and decoding process specification in January 2026, following over five years of development and more than 2,700 commits to the reference software. The draft specification highlights compression gains of up to 40% bandwidth reduction compared to AV1 at equivalent visual quality — translating to meaningfully lower bitrates or higher image quality at the same bandwidth.
Beyond raw compression efficiency, AV2 broadens the codec’s scope considerably. The specification includes improved support for AR/VR applications, split-screen delivery of multiple simultaneous programs, optimized handling of screen content, and the ability to operate across a wider visual quality range. Like AV1 before it, AV2 is developed under AOMedia’s royalty-free patent policy.
Computex Taipei and Ecosystem Timing
The expected May 29 release date falls just ahead of Computex Taipei, offering chip manufacturers, browser vendors, and streaming platforms a timely opportunity to demonstrate AV2-related technologies and products at one of the industry’s most prominent hardware exhibitions. For downstream stakeholders — including GPU makers, browser developers, and content delivery networks — the official specification release marks the point at which serious optimization work and roadmap planning can begin in earnest.
Broader ecosystem adoption will nonetheless take time. Software decoders are expected to lead, with hardware decoder support in GPUs and mobile SoCs likely arriving 18 to 36 months after the final specification is published. Browser support from platforms such as YouTube and major streaming services is anticipated to follow in 2026 and beyond, contingent on DRM integration and device support milestones.
A New Milestone for Open Video
With the AVM reference implementation reaching version 1.0.0, a release date explicitly logged in its changelog, and an open-source decoder already in developers’ hands, AV2 appears ready to make its formal entrance. Should May 29 hold, it will represent another significant milestone in the open, royalty-free video codec ecosystem — following in the footsteps of AV1’s 2018 launch and setting the stage for the next decade of video compression.
Further technical details, performance benchmarks, and ecosystem support announcements from AOMedia members are expected to follow the official release.
