VP9 is a video encoding format launched by Google on June 17, 2013. It was developed as an evolution of its predecessor, the VP8 format, with the aim of developing a more efficient codec that produces a much more compact bit-stream, especially for high- and ultrahigh-definition content, while limiting the increase in decoding complexity. The “advances made by VP9 over VP8” have been defined as “natural generational progression”.

VP9 is intended to compete with AVC and HEVC for video distribution over the web. It is mainly used by Over the Top Services and is an optional codec for video calls using WebRTC.

VP9 decoding is supported by the majority of browsers and Android devices.

For additional technical information relating to the VP9 technology visit https://www.webmproject.org/vp9/