The video codecs with the highest compression: comparison

Video codecs have become the cornerstone of the digital audiovisual world. Every time we stream a series, upload it to social media, or store a video on our device, we're using some kind of codec, often without even realizing it. The evolution of these technologies has allowed us to enjoy sharper images, higher resolution, and all while consuming less storage space and bandwidth.

However, the range of video codecs with higher compression and formats is so vast that choosing the right one for each need can be overwhelming. Which codecs are the most advanced today? Which ones stand out for their compression capabilities? When is it best to stick with traditional solutions like H.264 and when should you make the leap to AV1 or H.266? Throughout this article, you'll find answers to all these questions and many more, with clear and practical explanations so you don't get lost in the maze of acronyms and technologies.

Video codecs: what are they and why are they so important?

A video codec is simply the device responsible for compressing and decompressing digital video data . The term comes from the contraction of "COder-DECoder" or "COmpressor-DECompressor" and plays an essential role in the era of streaming and massive storage of audiovisual content. In practice, when we record or play video, the codec works to make the file take up much less space, with virtually no noticeable loss of quality.

Video file compression involves identifying patterns, colors, and repeated movements, saving only the essential information and removing or merging redundant details. This results in much smaller files, ideal for both streaming over the internet and saving on any device. This is why we can watch 4K series, share videos on social media, or store our favorite recordings without filling up our hard drive in two days.

The importance of codecs goes far beyond simply reducing file size: they determine visual quality, access speed, and video compatibility with different devices. An efficient codec can be the difference between smooth playback on any device and an experience riddled with stuttering or incompatibilities.

Container and codec: two different concepts

One of the most common mistakes when entering this world is confusing container and codec . While the codec is the algorithm that encodes and decodes the video (and audio), the container is like a box that groups different streams of video, audio, and other associated data, such as subtitles , menus, metadata, etc.

Some very popular container formats are .mp4 , .mkv , .mov , and .avi . Within these formats, the video can be compressed using H.264, H.265, VP9, ​​AV1, and others, and the audio can simultaneously use codecs such as AAC, Opus, or MP3 . For example, an .mp4 file typically contains H.264 video and AAC audio, but it can also use HEVC, VP9, ​​or AV1, depending on the specific format.

How does compression work in video codecs?

The operation of a codec is based on reducing the stored information using different techniques:

• • Intra-frame compression: Works on a single frame, looking for repeated patterns within the same image. Very useful for editing but less efficient in terms of size.
  • Interframe compression (inter-frame): Takes advantage of similarities between successive frames to save only the changes. This is the basis for efficient streaming and storage.
  • Predictive coding: Only differences from previous or subsequent images are stored, instead of saving each entire frame.

Resolution and color reduction techniques : depending on the complexity, irrelevant colors can be removed or the resolution can be reduced in barely perceptible areas.

The key is achieving the ideal balance: maximum compression with the least possible loss of visual quality. The most advanced algorithms even take into account how the human eye perceives details, focusing on preserving the most sensitive areas and discarding the least perceptible.

Main current video codecs and their compression

At this point, it's time to review the most widely used codecs and those that stand out for their superior compression capabilities . The evolution over the last two decades has been frenetic, with a veritable battle between proprietary and open-source standards, patent wars, and the entry of large corporations into the development of new formats. Let's look at the most relevant ones:

H.264 (AVC): The standard that changed everything

H.264 , also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding), revolutionized compression efficiency . Its popularity stems from its ability to store high-quality video (even 4K) in very small file sizes, and its broad compatibility with almost any device, browser, and service. It has been adopted for Blu-ray, streaming, and digital camera recordings.

H.264 employs techniques such as block-based motion compensation , variable-size blocks , intra- and inter-frame prediction, and entropy coding . All of this contributes to a reduction in raw file size of around 70% in most cases, while maintaining excellent visual quality.

Advantages: High compression, great visual quality, compatible with almost any equipment, it is the favorite for streaming and home editing.

Disadvantages: It starts to fall short for 4K and higher resolutions, extreme compression complicates editing on less powerful computers, and it already seems "old" compared to more efficient successors.

HEVC/H.265: Doubling the Efficiency

With the arrival of 4K and 8K content , a leap forward was necessary. This led to the creation of HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) or H.265, capable of offering the same visual quality as H.264 but with half the transmission speed or file size—more compression and less data consumption!

Innovations over H.264 include larger blocks (CTUs) , improved motion prediction algorithms, more segmentation modes, and special optimization for multi-core processors.

Advantages: Perfect for 4K and higher resolutions, the quality is excellent at medium or even low network speeds, ideal for streaming with bandwidth limitations.

Disadvantages: Complex and expensive licensing system, still limited support on some older devices, higher power demand when decoding and encoding, and initial adoption problems due to incompatibilities.

AV1: the future, without paying licenses

The AV1 codec has revolutionized the industry as an open, royalty-free standard , championed by the Open Media Alliance (AOMedia), with members such as Google , Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Netflix . AV1 stands out for offering 30% more compression than HEVC at the same quality, enabling a high-quality video streaming experience even with limited connections.

Key improvements include block encoding up to 128x128 pixels , adaptive quantization , and next-generation prediction techniques. It's also the best alternative for HDR and 8K content.

Advantages: Outstanding compression efficiency, license-free, future-proof scalability (8K and beyond). Adopted by leading platforms like YouTube.

Disadvantages: Greater coding complexity, requires modern hardware and software (although compatibility is increasing), is still in the process of mass adoption, and some older equipment may not support it.

H.266 (VVC): The Next Generation

The H.266 or VVC (Versatile Video Coding) standard is presented as the next step in video compression, halving the data requirements compared to HEVC . Its development is intended to address the explosion of ultra-high-definition video, mobile streaming, and applications such as virtual reality . It is still in the implementation phase: it promises video files of the same size as HEVC but with twice the visual quality, or, put another way, videos of identical quality with half the data.

The main challenge: it doesn't yet have widespread support in hardware or software, so for now AV1, H.265, and H.264 remain the most practical options for most users.

VP8, VP9 and other competitors

VP8 and VP9 , ​​developed by Google, are primarily used for playback in web browsers and HTML5 platforms . VP9 is the direct alternative to HEVC, also patent-free and widely adopted by YouTube for delivering 4K video. Its efficiency is slightly lower than AV1, but significantly better than H.264.

Other relevant codecs and use cases

• MPEG-4: Predecessor to H.264, still used in older cameras and systems that do not require maximum efficiency.
• WMV (Windows Media Video): Widely used in Windows environments, especially for compressed and small-sized videos.
• ProRes: Apple's professional codec, designed for editing and post-production, less compressed and easier to edit (at the cost of much larger files).
• DNxHR: Professional cross-platform alternative for editing, especially on AVID systems.

Codecs by use: professional vs. consumer

Professional codecs ( ProRes, DNxHR, MPEG-2 for broadcast, XAVC) prioritize maximum quality and ease of editing in television, film, and post-production studios . The resulting files are larger, but the compression is less aggressive, facilitating retouching without significant loss of quality. On the other hand, consumer codecs ( H.264 , H.265 , VP8/9 ) aim for the ideal balance between size and quality and are optimized for streaming, recording with mobile devices, and compact cameras.

Differences and advantages between the most used codecs

• H.264: : The best in compatibility, ideal for almost any device and platform, good for streaming and general storage.
• H.265: allows you to double efficiency while maintaining quality, very useful in 4K/8K and when space or bandwidth are critical.
• AV1: The most innovative compression option, especially interesting for those looking for a future without license limits.
• VP9: Excellent for the web, especially YouTube, and compatible with most modern browsers.

The decision often depends on the type of content, the resolution you're working with, and the compatibility level with your devices or audience.

The importance of transcoding

Video transcoding is the process of converting a video from one codec to another, or modifying its bitrate and resolution. This is essential for adapting videos to different platforms, reducing their size for streaming or storage on other devices, and ensuring the highest possible quality for each user based on their connection or equipment. To learn more about conversion techniques, you can consult how to export videos in different formats with Adobe Premiere Rush.

The process typically involves four steps:

1. Decoding: transform the video into its original format to work with it.
2. Coding: re-compress the video in the new format or with new parameters.
3. Quality setting: change resolution or bitrate parameters to balance quality and compression.
4. Final coding: save the video in the desired format and codec, ready for your destination.

Video compression and streaming on different platforms

Major streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.) adopt the most efficient codecs as technology evolves. That's why, while years ago everything was in H.264, HEVC or AV1 video is gradually gaining ground, especially for 4K, 8K, and HDR content. This strategic choice aims to reduce distribution costs, offer unparalleled quality, and make the experience much smoother, even with limited internet connections.

When you play a movie or series, the servers detect your devices and bandwidth and automatically select the optimal codec and quality. This way, you can watch without interruptions even on slow connections, and take full advantage of your TV's potential if you have fiber optic or 5G.

What is the best video codec for each situation?

• Online streaming: H.264 is the safest bet due to its compatibility, although HEVC or AV1 offer greater efficiency if your platform and device allow it.
• 4K and 8K: HEVC and AV1 are essential. For professional broadcasting, H.266 will be key in the coming years.
• Professional video editing: ProRes and DNxHR are the favorites, as they allow retouching without loss of quality.
• Long-term storage: MP4 with H.264 is the most universal, but AV1 is ideal for those thinking ahead.
• Use on web and social platforms: MP4 with H.264, VP9 or AV1 depending on compatibility. Instagram y Facebook They prefer MP4/H.264, while YouTube already accepts AV1.

Advantages and disadvantages of the main codecs

Here's a look at the pros and cons of the most advanced compression codecs:

• H.264: Very stable, universal and fast, although lower compression compared to new standards.
• HEVC/H.265: Brutal compression, but it requires more resources, still uneven support, and can incur licensing costs.
• AV1: The ultimate in efficiency and royalty-free, but not all devices support it yet and encoding requires powerful hardware.
• VP9: Very handy for web streaming, especially in browsers.
• H.266 (VVC): The future is promising in the medium term, but still poorly supported on consumer devices.
• ProRes/DNxHR: Ideal for film and advanced editing, but very large files and not suitable for streaming or mobile devices.

The role of video containers

You can't talk about codecs without mentioning containers . Their function is to group all the elements of a video—image, audio, subtitles, metadata—into a single file. The most common ones are:

• MP4: The king of compatibility, it supports H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9 video and AAC audio, among others.
• MKV: Very flexible, open source, ideal for storing multiple audio files and subtitles alongside your video. Compatible with almost all modern codecs.
• MOV: Developed by Apple, commonly used in professional publishing and brand products.
• AVI: Veteran format, supports multiple codecs but is less efficient today.
• WMV: Owned by Microsoft, oriented to compressed files and Windows systems.

Choosing the right container is essential to ensure your videos work on all the devices and platforms you share them on.

Uncompressed RAW vs. Compressed RAW: When is each one relevant?

In professional settings (film, commercials, advanced post-production), videos are typically recorded in uncompressed RAW formats , which preserve all the camera's data, making them ideal for retouching and advanced editing. However, these files take up so much space that they are rarely used outside of professional studios.

The alternative is compressed RAW video , which applies some compression (often with codecs such as ProRes RAW, BRAW, or CinemaDNG) but retains most of the original quality, making storage and editing easier.

What is the future trend in video codecs?

The audiovisual sector is constantly evolving. The arrival of 8K streaming, virtual and augmented reality, the ubiquity of mobile video, and the growth of artificial intelligence make the use of increasingly compact and efficient codecs essential . Therefore, platforms like those that facilitate transferring videos from iPhone to PC will become commonplace to streamline management and editing.

AV1 and H.266 will be the leading technologies in the coming years . The former, due to its open approach and adoption by major platforms; the latter, because it represents the pinnacle of video compression, pushing efficiency to the limit so we can enjoy 8K content or immersive experiences on increasingly smaller devices without data consumption skyrocketing.

Of course, the transition will be gradual, and in the meantime H.264, H.265, and VP9 will remain essential in many workflows for years to come.

The battle of video codecs continues, and innovation in compression and playback technologies will continue to set the standard for enjoying high-quality audiovisual content under any circumstances.