10 Key Facts About VideoLAN's New dav2d AV2 Decoder

The world of video codecs is constantly evolving, with each new standard promising better compression and quality. The latest buzz centers on AV2, the next-generation codec from the Alliance for Open Media (AOM). While the specification is still being finalized, VideoLAN has already made a bold move by releasing dav2d, an open-source decoder for AV2. Here are ten essential things you need to know about this exciting development.

1. What Is AV2?

AV2 is the successor to the AV1 video codec, designed to deliver even higher compression efficiency. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft—AV2 aims to reduce bandwidth usage while maintaining visual fidelity. The codec leverages advanced techniques such as neural network-based tools and improved motion compensation. Although still in draft form, AV2 promises to be a royalty-free, open standard that could redefine streaming, broadcasting, and video storage. Learn about the timeline below.

2. The AV2 Timeline: Aiming for 2025

The Alliance for Open Media originally targeted an AV2 release by the end of 2025. However, as of now, the specification remains in draft status, indicating that the final version may arrive later. This timeline reflects the complexity of creating a next-generation codec that balances performance, patent concerns, and broad industry adoption. Despite the delays, early work by organizations like VideoLAN shows that development is already underway, paving the way for a smoother transition once the spec is finalized.

3. VideoLAN Takes the Lead with dav2d

VideoLAN, the nonprofit behind the popular VLC media player, has a history of supporting open-source video technologies. This weekend, they published dav2d, an open-source decoder for AV2. The project name echoes their earlier work on dav1d, the high-performance AV1 decoder. By releasing the code now, VideoLAN ensures that when AV2 becomes official, there will already be a mature, community-tested decoder ready for integration.

4. What Is dav2d?

dav2d is a dedicated decoder library for the AV2 video format. Written in C and assembly, it focuses on speed and efficiency, leveraging SIMD instructions for modern CPUs. The decoder is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it suitable for everything from smartphones to high-end servers. As an open-source project under a permissive license, it invites contributions from developers worldwide to optimize and expand its capabilities.

5. Months of Pre-Release Work

VideoLAN didn't just start working on dav2d after the AV2 spec draft; they've been developing it for months. This proactive approach means that early versions already support a significant portion of the AV2 bitstream features. By testing against the evolving draft, the team can identify bugs and performance bottlenecks early, ensuring that the decoder is robust when the final spec is released.

6. Open Source Benefits for AV2 Adoption

Releasing dav2d as open source is a strategic move to accelerate AV2 adoption. An open-source decoder lowers the barrier for developers to integrate AV2 playback into applications. It also fosters transparency—anyone can inspect the code for security issues or patent concerns. This approach mirrors the success of dav1d, which became the gold standard for AV1 decoding and encouraged widespread use of the codec.

7. How dav2d Compares to dav1d

If you’re familiar with dav1d, dav2d follows the same philosophy: prioritize decoding speed while maintaining correctness. Early benchmarks suggest that dav2d’s architecture is even more optimized for the new codec’s unique features, such as adaptive loop filters and neural network tools. However, because AV2 is still in draft, these numbers may change. The team expects dav2d to be as efficient—or more—than its predecessor when finalized.

8. Performance Goals and Targets

VideoLAN aims for dav2d to decode AV2 content in real time on a wide range of hardware. The decoder already supports multi-threading and dynamic dispatch for different CPU architectures, including x86 and ARM. Once the spec is stable, optimizations will focus on reducing memory bandwidth and utilizing hardware-specific instructions. The ultimate goal is to make AV2 playback accessible without requiring expensive, specialized hardware.

9. The Future of AV2: Beyond Streaming

While AV2 is often touted for streaming, its applications extend to video conferencing, virtual reality, and archival storage. The higher compression ratio means lower data costs and reduced environmental impact from data transmission. With dav2d in place, developers can start experimenting with AV2 content creation tools and players, even before the codec is officially released.

10. How to Get Involved with dav2d

If you’re excited about dav2d, the project is hosted on VideoLAN’s GitLab repository. You can download the source code, compile it, and test it with sample AV2 bitstreams. The community welcomes contributions in areas like bug fixes, optimization, and documentation. By participating early, you can shape the future of this important decoder. Check the project page for contribution guidelines and mailing lists.

The release of dav2d marks a significant milestone for the AV2 ecosystem. VideoLAN’s proactive, open-source approach ensures that when the AV2 specification is finalized, the tools to decode it will already be mature and widely available. As the codec evolves, dav2d will likely become a cornerstone of video playback across devices, continuing the legacy of dav1d. Keep an eye on this project—it’s paving the way for the next generation of video.