iQIYI Deploys AV1 Video Codec and Introduces QAV1 Encoder for Bandwidth Savings
iQIYI has become the first Chinese video platform to deploy the open‑source AV1 codec on its PC web and Android apps, cutting video file size by about 20%, and its in‑house QAV1 encoder further reduces bitrate over 40% and runs roughly five times faster than competing encoders, enabling smoother 4K/8K streaming while saving bandwidth.
Recently, iQIYI launched the AV1 video codec on its PC web platform and Android mobile app, becoming the first and currently the only domestic video website to adopt AV1.
AV1 can maintain video quality while reducing the video size by about 20%, thereby saving roughly 20% of bandwidth. For users, this means that a 1080p video that previously required 1000 MB can be streamed with only about 800 MB, facilitating smoother playback of ultra‑high‑definition content such as 4K and 8K.
The first batch of movies encoded with AV1 has already been made available on iQIYI, and users can watch them on both the PC browser and Android mobile client.
AV1 is a next‑generation open‑source video coding format created by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), which includes companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Intel, Netflix, and Apple. The alliance aims to deliver high‑quality video with lower bandwidth consumption.
iQIYI officially joined the AOM alliance in 2018 as its first Chinese member. With strong support from the alliance, AV1 has gained widespread industry backing, and platforms like Netflix and YouTube are accelerating its deployment.
To further improve encoding efficiency, iQIYI independently developed the QAV1 encoder based on the AV1 standard, significantly alleviating AV1’s high computational complexity and long encoding times. Tests show that compared with the popular X265 encoder, QAV1 can save more than 40% of bitrate, reducing bandwidth by nearly half; at the same compression ratio, QAV1 is about five times faster than the open‑source SVT‑AV1 encoder jointly released by Netflix and Intel.
Because raw video material is large, compression is essential for storage and transmission. With 4K, 8K and other ultra‑high‑definition videos becoming mainstream, new generation codecs like AV1 help video platforms deliver clearer video at lower cost, allowing viewers to watch ultra‑HD content with less data.
As a leading online video service platform in China, iQIYI will continue to work with AOM members to develop open, high‑quality technical standards, strengthen cooperation with industry partners, chip manufacturers, and phone makers, and promote the expansion of AV1 to more hardware devices, creating high‑quality entertainment experiences for users.
iQIYI Technical Product Team
The technical product team of iQIYI
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