VideoLAN Launches Dav2d: Open-Source AV2 Decoder Released Despite Draft Spec
Breaking News: VideoLAN Publishes Dav2d Decoder for AV2
VideoLAN, the nonprofit behind VLC media player, has released the source code for dav2d—an open-source decoder for the next-generation AV2 video codec. The code was published this weekend, even though the AV2 specification remains in draft status.
"This is a major milestone for open-source video," said Jean-Baptiste Kempf, VideoLAN President. "We believe in shipping early and iterating, so the community can start testing and contributing now." The move comes months before the Alliance for Open Media's (AOM) target of end-2025 for the final AV2 spec.
Background: AV2 and the Alliance for Open Media
The Alliance for Open Media (AOM) has been developing AV2 as the successor to AV1, aiming for a royalty-free, high-efficiency codec. AV1 is already widely used in streaming services like YouTube and Netflix. AV2 promises up to 30% better compression than AV1 at similar quality.
However, the AV2 specification is still being finalized. AOM had targeted a release by end of 2025, but draft status has not deterred early adopters like VideoLAN. "Starting the decoder implementation now reduces the gap between spec freeze and real-world deployment," noted industry analyst Tom Nolle of CIMI Corporation.
What This Means
The release of dav2d allows developers to experiment with AV2 decoding in real-world applications. It also provides a reference implementation that can be tested against evolving drafts, giving feedback to the AOM specification process.
For end users, this could accelerate support of AV2 in VLC and other players. Once the spec is finalized, dav2d will be ready for production use. The early open-source approach mirrors VideoLAN's success with dav1d, the popular AV1 decoder that now ships in many browsers and devices.
Key Implications:
- Faster adoption: Developers can integrate dav2d now, reducing time-to-market for AV2 support.
- Community-driven improvements: Open-source contributions will help optimize performance and fix bugs before final spec.
- Rivalry with proprietary codecs: AV2 aims to compete with HEVC and VVC, offering a royalty-free alternative for streaming and broadcasting.
Technical Details of Dav2d
Dav2d is written in C and optimized for multi-core CPUs. It leverages SIMD instructions for x86 and ARM architectures. The initial release supports basic decoding features defined in the draft AV2 bitstream format.
VideoLAN has published the code on VideoLAN's GitLab under the BSD-2-Clause license. Developers are encouraged to clone and test. "We expect many contributions from the community, just like we saw with dav1d," Kempf added.
Expert Reactions
"This is a bold and strategic move," says Dr. Anne Aaron, Director of Video Algorithms at Netflix (via email). "Early decoder availability helps the ecosystem prepare for AV2. It also signals confidence that the spec is stable enough for implementation."
Others urge caution. "Draft specs can change significantly," warns Dr. Mathias Wien, a video coding researcher at RWTH Aachen. "Decoder developers must be prepared for updates. However, VideoLAN's iterative approach minimizes risk."
Timeline and Next Steps
- October 2023: VideoLAN begins dav2d development based on early AV2 drafts.
- Now: Public release of dav2d source code.
- By end of 2025: AOM targets final AV2 specification.
- Post-spec: Dav2d will be updated to match final spec; expected integration into VLC and potentially other players.
Why This Matters for Open-Source Video
VideoLAN's track record with dav1d demonstrates that early open-source decoders can become dominant. Dav1d is now the fastest AV1 decoder on the market, used by Firefox, Chrome, and many Linux distributions. Dav2d could follow a similar path.
With AV2 aiming for higher efficiency, the codec could reduce bandwidth costs for streaming services and improve video quality for consumers. VideoLAN's release ensures that open-source software will not lag behind proprietary offerings. The foundation has already committed to maintaining dav2d through the specification process.
Conclusion: A Leap Forward
The publication of dav2d is a clear signal that the open-source community is ready for AV2, regardless of the spec's draft status. VideoLAN's proactive release sets the stage for a smooth transition once AV2 is finalized.
For now, developers and early adopters can start testing the decoder. The code is available today at VideoLAN's repository. Interested parties are urged to read the Background section for context on AV2's development.