Quick summary
AV1 Video Extensions is a codec package from Yellow Elephant Productions designed to enable playback of AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) content on Windows. It supplies the libraries required for opening AV1 video files and is intended to be used alongside the developer’s bundled Media Player application.
Main capabilities
- Adds support for decoding AV1-encoded videos so files will play in the target player.
- Supplies the necessary runtime components and dependencies for AV1 playback.
- Offers a streamlined, one-step installation that requires no additional configuration.
- Targets web-friendly compression use cases where AV1’s efficiency is preferred.
Setup and how it works
Installation is straightforward: run the codec package and it installs the required components automatically. Once installed, opening an AV1 file in the supported Media Player should begin playback immediately without extra steps.
Platform compatibility and limits
- This codec pack is proprietary and only integrates with the developer’s Media Player; it doesn’t provide system-wide AV1 support for other applications.
- It’s intended specifically for AOMedia Video 1 content and won’t affect unrelated codecs or formats.
Stability and real-world performance
- Playback can be inconsistent at times, and users have reported occasional application crashes during video playback.
- The overall viewing experience depends on both the codec pack and the stability of the host Media Player; improvements will be necessary to make it consistently reliable.
Recommendation
If you regularly use the included Media Player and find it cannot open AV1 files, this extension is a convenient, easy-to-install fix that adds the required decoding support. However, because of current stability issues, expect a somewhat uneven experience until future updates address the crashes and performance inconsistencies.
Alternative option
Consider trying the free AV1 Video Extension (Beta) codec add-on as another option if you need broader or different AV1 support.
Technical
- Windows
- Full