Premium Encoding hops ahead: now supporting H.265 and AV1

Since its inception, Bunny Stream has focused on delivering seamless video experiences. Initially, we supported H.264 (x264) and VP9 codecs. Now, we’re excited to announce that Bunny Stream's Premium Encoding supports H.265 (HEVC) and AV1. This expansion is part of our mission to empower developers and businesses with cutting-edge tools for seamless, efficient, and future-proof video streaming.

In this post, we’ll dive into why this matters, how the addition of H.265 and AV1 codecs compares to H.264 and VP9, when to use each codec, and how Bunny Stream's unique features like Just-in-Time (JIT) encoding, make video delivery faster and more flexible than ever.

Flexibility for every workflow

With Premium Encoding, you can quickly and effortlessly deliver the best video quality, cut costs, and create exceptional user experiences. We added H.265 and AV1 to Bunny Stream’s Premium Encoding so that customers now have unparalleled flexibility in their encoding solutions. Whether you prioritize cost savings, cutting-edge quality, or future-proof compatibility, we’ve got you covered. 

Premium Encoding provides:

• Optimized performance for every codec choice
• Advanced features, like JIT encoding, that allow near-instant playback 
• HDR support and global edge delivery

In particular, our Just-in-Time (JIT) encoding technology eliminates delays caused by video encoding. It is a game-changing approach that pre-segments videos during upload and uses our global edge network to make them instantly playable by transcoding only the necessary video chunks on the fly while processing the rest of the video in the background.

Best of all, Premium Encoding is seamlessly integrated into the existing Bunny Stream workflow. That means you get access to globally distributed storage, an industry-leading CDN, a customizable video player, and other advanced features, like AI-powered transcription, AI content tagging, and built-in multi-DRM support—all with just a few clicks or API calls.But now that there are so many codec options, which should you choose? Read on to learn the differences between H.265, AV1, H.264, and VP9.

What are H.265 and AV1, and how do they compare to H.264 and VP9?

With our release of H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 support for Premium Encoding, we’re bringing additional flexibility to your video needs. Here’s how these codecs compare to the existing options:

When to use VP9

When we first introduced Premium Encoding, we included VP9 support to massively improve compression performance while delivering high-quality video at lower bitrates.VP9 provides significant improvements over H.264, offering up to 50% bandwidth savings at the same quality level. As a royalty-free, open-source codec developed by Google, VP9 provides an excellent middle ground for businesses looking to reduce costs without compromising quality. Key benefits of VP9 include:

• Lower bitrates while maintaining the same quality
• Broad browser and platform support
• Support for HDR content with 10-bit encoding

While VP9 remains a strong choice for many use cases, its adoption has some limitations, particularly in hardware compatibility compared to newer codecs.

When to use H.265

H.265 (HEVC) excels in delivering superior compression for high-resolution content. It’s particularly valuable for:

• 4K and HDR video, where visual fidelity is paramount
• Reducing bandwidth costs for premium streaming services
• Workflows where licensing fees are justified by the quality gains
• Reducing file sizes by approximately 50% compared to H.264, with no visible quality loss

When to use AV1

AV1, developed by the Alliance for Open Media, is designed as the future codec. It offers:

• Up to 30% better compression efficiency than H.265, further reducing costs 
• Open-source, license-free adoption, making it ideal for businesses looking to avoid licensing complexities
• Superior flexibility for 8K, VR, and high-frame-rate content

Major platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Vimeo have already embraced AV1, signaling its readiness for widespread adoption.

When to use H.264

H.264, also known as AVC, has long been the standard for video encoding. Its widespread hardware and software compatibility make it a reliable choice for most workflows. It offers a balance of performance and efficiency, making it ideal for:

• General-purpose streaming
• Applications where backward compatibility is essential

However, H.264’s compression efficiency is no longer sufficient for high-quality, data-intensive use cases like 4K streaming or VR. This limitation highlights the need for advanced codecs.

Hop into the future of video delivery

Ready to elevate your video delivery? With Bunny Stream’s Premium Encoding, you can achieve flexibility and efficiency, reduce costs, and future-proof your workflows. Sign up today to explore the next generation of video streaming technology, designed to make every byte count.

Hop on board and join us in shaping the future of online video delivery. For more technical details or assistance, contact our support team or join our Discord community.