Does Jellyfin Support AV1? Here's What You Need to Know!

The short answer is yes! Jellyfin has been working on implementing AV1 support, and recent versions have made significant strides in this area. The media server can handle AV1 files, meaning it can stream AV1-encoded videos as long as your client devices (the devices you're watching on) also support the AV1 codec.

To ensure AV1 direct play in Jellyfin, here are a few steps:

• Jellyfin Version: Make sure you're running the latest version of Jellyfin to get the most up-to-date AV1 support.
• Smartphones and Tablets: Many newer Android and iOS devices support AV1, especially if they were released in the last couple of years. You can check your device's specs to see if AV1 is listed as a supported codec.
• Browsers: Modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge offer AV1 support. If you’re streaming from Jellyfin in a browser, make sure it’s up to date.
• TVs and Streaming Boxes: Devices like Roku, Chromecast with Google TV, and certain smart TVs have begun supporting AV1. But, again, check the specs if you're unsure.

However, AV1 is relatively new, and not all devices can decode AV1 natively. This is especially true for older hardware, which might struggle to play AV1 videos. This is where Jellyfin's transcoding comes into play. If a device can't play an AV1 video, Jellyfin will attempt to transcode it to a more compatible format like H.264 or HEVC, but this can demand a lot of processing power.

Transcoding AV1 is extremely CPU-intensive, especially if you don't have a powerful machine or dedicated hardware for video encoding. At the moment, hardware acceleration for AV1 encoding and decoding is still in its infancy. There are some GPUs and media encoders that support hardware acceleration for AV1, but they aren't as widespread as their support for H.264 or HEVC.

So, Jellyfin AV1 transcoding on the fly might not be a seamless experience on lower-end hardware. If you have an older system, expect transcoding process to be slow and potentially cause playback issues.

• Reduced Bandwidth: AV1 is designed to deliver high-quality video at lower bitrates, which means you can stream high-definition content using less bandwidth. If you have a limited internet connection, this is a huge win.
• Future-Proofing: AV1 is becoming the codec of choice for major streaming platforms and media players. Using AV1 means you're staying ahead of the curve.
• Free and Open-Source: Like Jellyfin itself, AV1 is royalty-free and open-source, so you won’t have to worry about any licensing fees.

• Hardware Compatibility: As mentioned, not all devices support AV1 yet. If you're trying to stream AV1 content on an unsupported device, you'll need Jellyfin to transcode the file, which can be resource-heavy.
• CPU Load: Transcoding AV1 is no easy task. Unless you have a robust server with the necessary hardware (like GPUs that support AV1 encoding), you might experience slow performance or stuttering streams.
• Limited Hardware Acceleration: While hardware acceleration for AV1 is coming to newer devices, it's still not as prevalent as it is for H.264 or HEVC, which means the process can be slow.

If you expect a smooth direct play experience in Jellyfin on your AV1 non-compatible devices, a simple solution is to transcode your AV1-encoded videos to a more universal format like H.264. For this purpose, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a reliable tool that offers a hassle-free conversion process. It supports batch conversion, high-speed encoding, and even allows you to adjust settings like bitrate and sample rate for optimal results. Here's how to use it:

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• DownloadDownload, install, and launch the application on your PC.
• Open "Converter", drag and drop your AV1 videos into the window.
• Expand the output format list, go to "Video" category, and choose "H.264".
• (Optional) Click "Parameter settings" to modify bitrate, resolution, and more.
• Specify an output folder and hit "Run" to start the conversion in bulk.
• Once the conversion is complete, you'll have videos that should play without a hitch in your Jellyfin.

A: If you have modern hardware that supports AV1, it's absolutely worth using. You'll benefit from reduced bandwidth consumption without sacrificing video quality. However, if your devices or server are older, you might experience issues with performance.

A: If you're set on using AV1 with Jellyfin, there are a few things you can do to optimize playback and ensure smooth streaming:

• Upgrade Your Hardware: If your server struggles to transcode AV1, consider upgrading your CPU or GPU. Look for hardware that supports AV1 encoding and decoding natively.
• Direct Play: Instead of relying on transcoding, try to use Direct Play as much as possible. Direct Play allows Jellyfin to stream the video without any additional processing, so the AV1 file is sent directly to your device.
• Use Compatible Devices: If possible, use devices that support AV1 natively to avoid unnecessary transcoding. Many newer devices, including some TVs and streaming boxes, have AV1 support built in.

A: If your device doesn't support AV1, Jellyfin will attempt to transcode the video to a format the device can handle, like H.264 or HEVC. This process can be resource-heavy, depending on your server's capabilities. You can also pre-transcode your AV1 content to H.264 for hassle-free playback in Jellyfin.