YouTube Adopts New Technology to Improve Video Quality and Streaming Efficiency in 2027 - Sarmad

YouTube plans to adopt the new AV2 video codec via its web player in early 2027, a move aimed at improving streaming efficiency and delivering better image quality with lower data consumption, thereby enhancing the viewing experience, particularly for users with limited internet connectivity.

The tech website Digital Trends reported on Sunday that the new technology offers approximately 30 percent higher compression efficiency compared to the currently used AV1 codec. This enables video transmission at similar quality using less data, or provides better image quality when using the same data rate, without necessarily reducing data consumption by that percentage in all cases.

The AV2 technology was developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), a consortium that includes several tech companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Intel, and Netflix. The technology supports improved streaming of high dynamic range (HDR) video and enables new capabilities for displaying multiple clips or different camera angles simultaneously.

The website clarified that the technology’s rollout will begin on the web version, with no specific date set for its availability on mobile apps and smart TVs. Its spread depends on the compatibility of browsers and devices with the new codec.

Some current devices may struggle to play AV2 clips efficiently due to a lack of support for decoding via dedicated hardware, which could increase the processing load on the CPU when relying on software decoding.

The adoption of the new technology is expected to improve video streaming quality and efficiency, while offering more advanced viewing options. The actual benefits for users will become clearer as implementation begins and support expands across compatible devices and browsers.