Meta & Norsk: Key Factors in Streaming Codec Selection
▼ Summary
– H.264 remains the dominant codec for live streaming due to its broad compatibility with playback devices, as noted by Norsk’s Steve Strong.
– Norsk balances software and hardware codec solutions (e.g., x264, x265, NVIDIA) to meet varying customer priorities like cost, quality, and latency.
– Meta supports multiple codecs (AV1, VP9, AVC), with AV1 now exceeding 50% of VOD delivery due to its quality and bitrate efficiency benefits.
– AV1 is critical for users with limited bandwidth, enabling video playback where it might otherwise be impossible, according to Meta’s Hassene Tmar.
– Both Meta and Norsk prioritize low latency, even in VOD, to ensure quick video availability for users, such as Facebook posts appearing instantly.
Choosing the right video codec remains a critical decision for streaming platforms, balancing technical innovation with real-world compatibility. Industry leaders like Meta and Norsk navigate complex trade-offs between cutting-edge compression and universal playback when selecting formats for live and on-demand content. Their insights reveal how practical considerations often outweigh theoretical advantages in large-scale deployments.
During a recent industry discussion, Norsk CTO Steve Strong emphasized that despite the buzz around newer formats, H.264 still dominates live streaming due to its universal device support. “Our customers prioritize reliability over novelty,” he explained. “When distributing at scale, compatibility becomes non-negotiable – viewers expect content to play seamlessly across all devices.” Norsk accommodates diverse needs by offering both software-based solutions like x264/x265 and hardware-accelerated options from NVIDIA and NETINT, allowing clients to optimize for cost, quality, or latency based on specific use cases.
Meta takes a multi-codec approach, blending AV1, VP9, and AVC depending on the application. Technical Program Manager Hassene Tmar shared that AV1 now handles over half of their VOD traffic, initially adopted for quality enhancement before evolving into a bandwidth-saving tool. “For users with limited connectivity, AV1 can mean the difference between watching video or seeing nothing at all,” he noted. Even with on-demand content, Meta prioritizes near-instant processing – what Tmar calls the “Facebook mom test” – ensuring uploads appear immediately in feeds without frustrating delays.
Both companies demonstrate how successful codec strategies balance innovation with pragmatism. While newer formats like AV1 deliver measurable benefits in bandwidth reduction and quality, widespread adoption requires overcoming hardware limitations and viewer expectations. The transition happens gradually, with legacy codecs maintaining dominance where universal accessibility trumps technical superiority. As streaming continues evolving, these real-world insights from major platforms provide valuable guidance for content providers weighing their encoding options.
(Source: Streaming Media)
