AMD's RDNA 2 architecture also supports AV1 video decoding

One area that typically does not get as much attention as other features in new graphics architectures is their ability to encode and decode video efficiently. Although it may not be as exciting as the number of stream processors, the amount of graphics memory and special features, the ability of media devices to handle video formats affects the user’s end experience.

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The next generation video codec is called AV1, which Nvidia’s architecture Ampere in the Geforce RTX 3000 series will be the first to support for decoding video, something that is also added in Intel’s graphics part Xe-LP in the Tiger Lake processors. The Reddit member u / stblr is now digging out support for AV1 in code extensions to the Linux kernel, code submitted by AMD. This suggests that AV1 support is added for RDNA 2-based graphics cards as part of the VCN 3.0 media device. The code extension suggests that the support, like Nvidia’s, is only about decoding (DEC) and not encoding video.

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AV1 is an open and free format developed as a replacement for the VP9 format. According to tests performed, AV1 achieves about 34 percent better compression ratio compared to VP9, and compared to H.264 with its high quality setting, AV1 achieves about 46 percent better compression. VP9 can also be replaced with HEVC, also known as H.265, but as this standard is subject to a fee, its spread has been limited. Implementation of AV1 is, unlike HEVC, free of charge, and thus increases the probability that the standard will be used in the technology industry as a whole.

AMD will unveil the RDNA 2 and Radeon RX 6000 series graphics cards on October 28, 2020, with a presumed availability shortly thereafter.