VideoLAN released dav2d, an early CPU AV2 decoder derived from dav1d. It focuses on speed and cross-platform support; the AV2 standard is still unfinished.
VideoLAN has released a new open-source tool called dav2d. It is a CPU-based decoder for AV2 video, AV2 is the next open video format after AV1 and promises better compression and higher quality. dav2d is based on VideoLAN’s popular dav1d decoder for AV1, works on many platforms and focuses on being fast and correct. The code is now public on VideoLAN’s GitLab site. This is an early project because the full AV2 standard is not finished yet.
Real-time analysis of public opinion and engagement
What the community is saying — both sides
Videolan shipping a working AV2 decoder before the spec mirrors dav1d’s path with AV1—community implementations often land in browsers and apps before hardware does.
Many argue a CPU-ready decoder is the right order—get stable, battle-tested decoders in software before waiting on silicon.
Some replies claim robust CPU decoders make dedicated video hardware less necessary, especially as GPUs are increasingly consumed by AI workloads.
Early software work is framed as preparation—so encoding tools, platform support, and developer workflows can mature while hardware catches up.
Users expect AV2 to significantly outperform AV1—comments call it potentially “god-tier” for compression efficiency.
Replies show strong praise for Videolan/VLC and for the open-source codec trajectory (including lighthearted nods like “dav1d to dav2d”).
A few voices warn the broader implications for content creation and distribution haven’t fully registered yet, implying bigger shifts may follow once AV2 is widely usable.
several users report the latest VLC takes noticeably longer to load the initial video compared with the previous version.
praise for MPC‑HC’s cleaner interface and HDR/RTX HDR support, recommendations for K‑Lite, and loyalty to FFmpeg as a more reliable stack.
frustration that AV1 hasn’t become widespread, while talk of AV2/AV4 fuels skepticism about endless new codecs and reinforces reliance on HEVC.
a vocal desire for high resolution without compression or the constant tradeoffs of new codecs.
complaints that major apps (notably Adobe) still lack proper AV1 support, blocking workflows for creators.
calls for GPU decoding to be the standard to speed playback and reduce CPU burden.
users want simple additions like Whisper auto‑subtitles rather than purely codec/format debates.
Most popular replies, ranked by engagement
videolan shipped a working AV2 decoder before the AV2 spec is even finalized dav1d did the same thing for AV1 and ended up in chrome , safari , firefox , and android before hardware decoders caught up they clearly don't wait for the standard to ship before building the tooling
AV2 on CPU already? open source just ended the codec wars lmao no need of GPU's anyway they are getting used by AI now
Starting early on AV2 is smart. By the time hardware catches up, software decode is already mature. dav1d set the bar, so expectations for this one are pretty high.
MPC-HC still clears. Cleaner interface with better HDR and RTX HDR support.
we still do not have av1 anywhere much... btw
cant wait for AV4
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