A codec is a tool that helps compress and decompress digital media files like videos, music, or images. The word comes from "coder-decoder" or "compressor-decompressor."

On our service, we use 3 codecs to stream video from our servers to the user's device. Our system automatically determines which codec is best to use for maximum quality, depending on the client you use and the specifications of your device. Also, it's possible that a certain server doesn't support a specific codec.

H.264

This is the standard codec used on our service and is available on almost every supported device.

H.265

This codec is available in desktop applications and in the Android app. It allows using 30% less bitrate for the same picture quality as H.264, but it requires more device performance.

AV1

This codec is available in the browser (if the graphics card supports it), Android app and in the TV app. To achieve the same picture quality, it needs half the bitrate compared to H.264. Therefore, the maximum bitrate is 40 Mbps, not 80 Mbps as in H.264 and H.265.