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From video codecs such as AV2 to browser engines and hardware decoding, streaming videos smoothly involves more than faster internet. Here is how the technology behind web video works
Smooth video streaming depends on more than internet connectivity, with video codecs, browser support and hardware decoding also affecting playback (AI-generated image)
Harsh Shivam New Delhi 9 min read Last Updated : Oct 26 2026 | 3:58 PM IST
YouTube plans to begin streaming videos using AV2, a next-generation video codec, on its web platform as early as 2027. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), AV2 promises around 30 per cent greater compression efficiency than its predecessor, AV1, potentially allowing streaming platforms to deliver better picture quality without increasing bandwidth requirements.
The announcement marks an important step towards the adoption of a new video compression standard. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are also exploring AV2, while Google has demonstrated playback support for the format in Chrome. The development could eventually affect how video is delivered across websites, streaming services and other internet-based applications.
However, a more efficient codec does not automatically translate into lower data consumption or smoother playback. Before viewers can benefit from AV2, browsers must be able to process it, streaming platforms must encode and deliver compatible video, and consumer devices must decode it without excessive demands on their processors and batteries.
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