Netflix TechBlog | Medium
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AV1 @ Scale: Film Grain Synthesis, The Awakening
Netflix has introduced AV1 Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) streams, which preserve the artistic integrity of film grain while optimizing data efficiency. Film grain is a key element in storytelling, adding depth and realism to films, but it's difficult to compress using traditional algorithms. The AV1 FGS tool models film grain through two components: film grain pattern and film grain intensity. The film grain pattern is replicated using an auto-regressive model, while the film grain intensity is controlled by a scaling function. The encoding process removes film grain from the video, compresses it, and transmits the grain's pattern and intensity alongside the compressed video data. During playback, the film grain is recreated and reintegrated into the video using a block-based method. Enabling AV1 FGS has led to significant bitrate reduction, allowing for high-quality video streaming with less data. The technology has also improved visual quality, with synthesized noise effectively masking compression artifacts. Netflix has rolled out FGS across its platform, and users can now enjoy FGS-enabled streams on supported devices. The rollout has resulted in a smoother and more reliable Quality of Experience for Netflix members, with lower bitrate, decreased playback errors, and improved playback stability.