JPEG XS vs. AV1: Different Tools for Different Jobs

Tim Tselikovski -

By 2025, both JPEG XS and AV1 are widely deployed in media workflows. They solve very different problems, and engineers must understand when to use each.

JPEG XS

  • Purpose: Lightweight compression for contribution and production.
  • Latency: Microseconds — effectively real-time.
  • Quality: Visually lossless at 6:1 to 10:1 compression ratios.
  • Use cases: Live production, remote contribution, monitoring feeds.

JPEG XS is about transporting high-quality signals over limited bandwidth while keeping timing intact.

AV1

  • Purpose: High-efficiency compression for distribution.
  • Latency: Higher; not suited for live production.
  • Quality: Excellent efficiency, 20–30% better than HEVC.
  • Use cases: VOD, streaming to consumers, large-scale archives.

AV1 is about reducing storage and delivery costs at internet scale.

Key Differences

  • Timing: JPEG XS is real-time; AV1 is not.
  • Efficiency: AV1 saves more bandwidth but adds latency.
  • Deployment: JPEG XS in contribution, AV1 in distribution.

It’s not JPEG XS or AV1 — it’s JPEG XS and AV1. Each fits a distinct stage of the media chain. Using the right tool in the right place delivers both efficiency and quality.