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Video Codec Comparisons

Discussions compare video codecs like H.264, HEVC, VP9, and AV1, focusing on efficiency, hardware support, licensing advantages, and adoption by streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix.

📉 Falling 0.5x Hardware
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19
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#545
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Top Contributors

ksec (102) ZeroGravitas (75) shmerl (67) clouddrover (67) CharlesW (37)

Keywords

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Sample Comments

TingPing • Aug 5, 2022 • View on HN

It's just anti-user. Use the AV1 codec, some hardware supports it.

stephenr • Jul 14, 2016 • View on HN

How does h.264/5 not fit the bill?

qwerty456127 • Nov 27, 2024 • View on HN

Does it still only encode to H.264, no HEVC/AV1?

TiredOfLife • Dec 24, 2025 • View on HN

Youtube 4k uses VP9 and AV1 codecs that are multiple generations ahead of H.264

ranger_danger • Aug 8, 2024 • View on HN

Ok that's cool, I didn't know that. Did avc/h264 have this?

shmerl • Nov 12, 2025 • View on HN

Today? AV1 should be OK at least for decoding. Encoding case needs more considerations still. If you can - use AV1 as well.

orastor • Feb 5, 2019 • View on HN

Why not admit AV1 is all around better and work on it instead

billconan • Nov 17, 2014 • View on HN

I thought this is vp9/h265 era already?

irrational • Jul 7, 2020 • View on HN

Anyone know how this compares to AV1?

mondainx • Oct 22, 2025 • View on HN

H.264 vs H.265 vs VP9 are covered to help you understand the strengths, weaknesses, and practical uses of each video codec.