At Stream, we’re dedicated to making video calls smooth and efficient for everyone, especially those using older devices or lower-powered CPUs. To this end, we’re excited to announce that the VP9 SVC codec is now available for Stream Video users on JavaScript, React, and React Native SDKs. This addition delivers significant bandwidth and performance optimizations, which means video calls with Stream will now be even better for users across a range of devices.
Key Upgrades for Better Video Quality and Efficiency
Our latest VP9 SVC codec update brings a host of benefits, especially in terms of CPU and GPU usage. Here are some of the standout improvements:
Enhanced Dynascale Technology
Stream’s proprietary Dynascale technology optimizes video quality and bandwidth usage. With the new VP9 codec, Dynascale dynamically scales the video quality based on each user’s device capabilities and network conditions. As a result, users only receive the highest quality video their device can handle, reducing strain on older or less powerful hardware. This enhancement will apply automatically to all video calls, so there’s no need for customers to make adjustments.
VP9 SVC Codec Now Available
VP9 SVC not only reduces CPU and GPU load but also cuts bandwidth usage, making calls more reliable in challenging network environments. For example, tests on 1:1 video calls showed a 50% reduction in required bitrate compared to VP8, our previous codec. This is especially valuable for users in remote locations or with limited network access, as the VP9 codec offers a smooth video experience even at lower bitrates.
VP9 Codec vs. VP8: Real-World Metrics
To highlight the improvements, here’s a quick comparison of video quality and bitrate for 1:1 calls on VP9 versus VP8:
These improvements show that VP9 can deliver clear, stable video quality even at lower bitrates, making it ideal for customers who may have limited bandwidth.
Optimized for Different Call Scenarios
The VP9 SVC codec dynamically adapts to different call setups. For one-on-one calls, it optimizes bandwidth usage, cutting bitrates in half compared to previous versions. In group calls, it automatically adjusts video quality based on the number of participants, ensuring smooth performance no matter the call size.
Try VP9 with Stream Today
Expanding codec support has been a key goal for our team, and we're grateful to customers and developers for their feedback and collaboration. We invite you to try VP9 on Stream by checking out our video calling demo or diving into the React Video Calling tutorial.
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