Codec Comparison
Choosing the right codec for your device is important for smooth playback and optimal bandwidth usage.| Codec | Recommendation | Hardware Support | Compression & Bitrate | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AV01 (AV1) | Best choice, if your device supports it | First devices started coming in 2020 | Best (e.g. 1.6 Mbps) | Same |
| VP9 | Best choice on most devices | Most devices since 2015 | Better (e.g. 2.1 Mbps) | Same |
| AVC | Only for old or slow hardware | All devices | Good (e.g. 2.7 Mbps) | Same |
Examples taken from the video-only track at 1080p @ 25fps. At the same resolution, a lower bitrate is better! YouTube explicitly targets the same quality regardless of codec.
Understanding Bitrate and Quality
At the same resolution, a lower bitrate is better! YouTube explicitly targets the same quality regardless of the codec. Here’s why:Lower Bitrate = Better
Newer codecs achieve the same quality with less data, reducing bandwidth usage and saving the environment.
Same Quality
YouTube ensures all codecs provide the same visual quality at the same resolution - the difference is only in efficiency.
Which Codec to Choose
Check Your Device Year
Determine when your Android TV or TV box was manufactured:
- 2020 or newer: Try AV01 first
- 2015-2019: Use VP9
- Before 2015: Use AVC
Test Playback
Play a video and monitor for:
- Smooth playback without stuttering
- No frame drops
- Quick buffering
Hardware Support Requirements
AV01 (AV1)
Devices with AV1 Support
Devices with AV1 Support
Hardware decoding required - Most TVs and TV boxes do not offer hardware support for AV01.
- First devices with AV1 support appeared in 2020
- Provides the best compression (lowest bitrate)
- Cannot play at all without hardware support
- Most devices currently cannot play AV01
VP9
Devices with VP9 Support
Devices with VP9 Support
Best choice for most devices - Hardware support widely available.
- Supported on most devices since 2015
- Excellent compression efficiency
- Can work without hardware support on powerful CPUs (but may be slow)
- High resolutions (4K) might be slow on cheap TV boxes without hardware support
AVC (H.264)
Universal AVC Support
Universal AVC Support
Supported on all devices - Use only when newer codecs don’t work.
- Universal compatibility across all Android devices
- Higher bitrate = more bandwidth usage
- Less efficient compression
- Best for old or slow hardware that cannot handle VP9
Troubleshooting Codec Issues
Error: Unknown codec or Can't download video
Error: Unknown codec or Can't download video
Solution:
- Wait 5 seconds for the video to play
- Press the play button
- Check if you have a USB audio device attached (may cause issues)
- Verify your disk storage is not full
Error: "The video profile is not supported"
Error: "The video profile is not supported"
Solution:
- Press the HQ button in the bottom-left corner
- Select Video formats
- Select anything other than AV01 (choose VP9 or AVC)
AV01 does not play / VP9 is slow
AV01 does not play / VP9 is slow
Explanation:
- AV01 is very new - most TVs and TV boxes do not have hardware support
- Devices without hardware support cannot play AV01 at all
- VP9 may be slow on devices without hardware acceleration
- High resolutions (4K) require official 4K support for smooth playback
Best Practices
Use Newest Supported Codec
Always use the newest codec that works smoothly on your device for better compression and lower bandwidth.
Test Performance
After selecting a codec, play videos at your typical resolution to ensure smooth playback.
Don't Chase Bitrate
Higher bitrate does not mean better quality on YouTube - it only means less efficient compression.
Consider Bandwidth
Newer codecs use less bandwidth for the same quality, helping with slower internet connections.
Codec Selection in Settings
To manually select a video codec:- While playing a video, press the HQ button (bottom-left corner)
- Select Video formats
- Choose your preferred codec: AV01, VP9, or AVC
- The selection will be remembered for future videos