YouTube uses special tools called codecs to help deliver videos and audio smoothly, no matter what device or internet speed you have. These codecs are like translators—they shrink video and audio files so they can travel quickly over the internet but still look and sound great when you watch them.
Let’s take a look at the main ones YouTube uses.
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Video Codecs
- H.264 (AVC): This codec is the most common and works on almost every device. It’s great at compressing videos so they’re small enough to stream but still clear.
- VP9: Made by Google, this codec is often used for videos in higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. It shrinks files even more than H.264 while keeping them high-quality.
- AV1: This is the newest codec, also created for high-efficiency compression. It does an even better job than VP9, though it’s still rolling out slowly on YouTube.
Audio Codecs
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): This is YouTube’s main audio codec. It provides clear sound while keeping the file size small.
- Opus: This one is more flexible and is often used in live streams or apps like Skype. It’s designed for low delay and works across many bitrates.
Read also: Always Play Youtube Videos in High Quality: Disable Auto Quality (PC)
What Do These Codecs Do?
The main job of codecs is to compress and decompress video and audio files. Here’s why that matters:
1. Compression
- Smaller Files: Without compression, video files would be massive and hard to stream or store. Codecs use smart tricks to make files smaller without losing too much quality.
- Preserve Quality: Advanced codecs like VP9 and AV1 keep videos looking sharp, even at lower file sizes.
2. Decompression
- Smooth Playback: When you hit play, the codec unpacks the compressed file so it can be displayed on your screen in real time.
3. Better Streaming
- Saves Bandwidth: Smaller files mean less internet data is needed to stream videos. This is especially important for a platform like YouTube, which serves billions of videos every day.
- Adapts to Your Internet: Codecs help adjust video quality based on your internet speed. This is why you can still watch videos smoothly, even if your connection is slow.
4. Works on All Devices
- Compatibility: These codecs make sure videos play well on everything from phones to smart TVs.
5. Support for Advanced Features:
- Supports 4K and HDR: The latest codecs, like AV1, allow for super sharp resolutions like 4K and even 8K, along with richer colors and details.
- Future-Proof: They’re designed to handle the latest video technology as it evolves.
Read also: Why 480p Used to Look Better on Youtube Than Today’s 1080p
Summary
In simple terms, video codecs are tools that shrink and unpack video files so they can be stored, streamed, and played on all kinds of devices.
They make sure videos look great, don’t take up too much space, and stream smoothly without using too much internet data.
Thanks to codecs, watching videos online is fast, easy, and enjoyable for everyone!
Source: ChatGPT