Easily Convert HEVC to AV1 format

Last updated on July 29, 2024 by , Posted to convert video

hevc to av1

HEVC (also known as H.265) and AV1 (AOMedia Video 1) are two of the most popular and modern video codecs. The VVC codec could compete with them in terms of video compression efficiency, but it has never been widely used due to high license fees. Most likely, they will be replaced by codecs based on neural networks, but it will happen not soon.

License fees are probably the main drawback of HEVC, while AV1 is a free video codec of the latest generation. Add to that a parky 20% compression gain and the winner is obvious. AV1 has already gained enough popularity on mass video distribution platforms, which means that when you upload video to these platforms all content will be transcoded into this format.

Many of you have already faced the situation when a video in excellent quality looks completely different after uploading it to social networks. To avoid this, it is better to convert HEVC files yourself by selecting the settings you need.

1 Is it worth converting H.265 to AV1?

As I said above - the main reason could be uploading the clip to social networks and video hosting services. Video storage is relatively expensive, so services are forced to save disk space and traffic. The uploaded video is converted to the internal format of the service and you have no control over this process. To avoid this you can pre-convert the video to a format that is native to the service. AV1 is exactly this format.

AV1 encoding can reduce the size of video files by 20-40% compared to HEVC without reducing the quality of the experience. Yes, this is true, but there is a nuance. During testing we compare the results of compression of the same source material by different codecs. We will convert from one format to another. Of course, the gain depends on the content and encoding settings. Will transcoding reduce quality? Of course! The quality of the converted files depends on the quality of the HEVC source files and the converter tool you use. Even if the frame resolution and color space are the same, the picture detail will be reduced. Would you convert individual movies? I think not. It is justified only for large collections, where the difference in volume will be counted in tens of gigabytes. For example, for TV series with several seasons.

Quite recently the disadvantage of AV1 was the lack of hardware support for playback in mobile devices. This had a significant impact on battery life battery life. Fortunately, it's already 2024 and hardware support is available almost everywhere - from smartphones to TVs. Hardware acceleration AV1 compression is already available in Intel Arc and Nvidia 4000-series graphics cards. But don't forget that hardware compression loses out in quality.

2 HEVC to AV1 conversion instructions

Video Converter Plus is an easy-to-use video processor that makes the HEVC to AV1 conversion process a routine affair. You won't find a huge selection of exotic output formats or huge lists of target devices (long discontinued). Instead, you'll get a selection of of modern codecs and high-definition resolutions. With just a few clicks, you can convert video files from HEVC to AV1.

Video Converter Plus

Key features of Video Converter Plus

  • UHD/HD and 4K Format Support
  • H.264/H.265 and AV1 Format Support
  • Image scaling and color space conversion
  • Processing metadata, subtitles, closed captions
  • Support for modern CPUs and GPUs

Whether you are a seasoned video enthusiast or a novice user, the interface of Video Converter Plus resembles Windows Explorer which makes it accessible to everyone. Download the free version of the converter from the link above, and then let's delve into the step-by-step process of using this wonderful software.

Step 1 - Add HEVC files

Install and launch Video Converter Plus. Then click the "Add File" button to add HEVC files to the file list. Alternatively quick drag and drop is also allowed.

Step 2: Select AV1 profile

Then click the "Output Format" drop-down menu at the bottom of the window to expand the full list of the most popular presets. Select the MKV/AV1 category and in it the most suitable AV1 profile. If you are not satisfied with the presets, you can change them to your liking by clicking the "Encoder Settings" button.


av1 profile
Step 3 - Convert HEVC to AV1

Below the format selection menu you can see the current output path for the finished AV1 video files. If you're happy with it, click the orange "Convert" button on the toolbar to start the HEVC to AV1 conversion process with GPU acceleration enabled. A progress bar will show you how much time is left until the conversion is complete.

3 Final thoughts

The next generation of web video is AV1, and now is the time to start converting your HEVC media library to this advanced codec. With professional conversion tools, format support and customization options, Video Converter Plus makes switching from HEVC to AV1 simple and efficient. We have given you the opportunity to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this conversion. Now it's up to you whether to keep your video in HEVC format or step into the AV1 era!


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