Libaom 3.12.0 Now Available from Codec Working Group

The Codec Working Group is pleased to share the latest release of its libaom library, version 3.12.0. This new release includes all improvements to the libaom AV1 codec that were made in the past three months.

What Stands Out?

The highlight of the libaom v3.12.0 release is a new AOM_TUNE_IQ (image quality) tuning mode for still images. The AOM_TUNE_IQ tuning mode increases image quality by using the SSIMULACRA 2 metric as a guide and validating with subjective visual quality checks. It optimizes image quality by using techniques such as Variance Boost, adaptive CDEF, and quantization matrices.

This release also boasts improvements in compression efficiency and visual quality of real-time encoding to speed 11 for camera and screen content modes.

How Can it be Used?

AVIF encoders such as libavif and libheif can use the new AOM_TUNE_IQ tuning mode in libaom v3.12.0 by setting the aom codec option tune=iq.

Where Can it be Found?

The source code of the release can be viewed in the git repository using the release tag v3.12.0. Alternatively, the release tarball, along with the signature file, is now available for download.

Next Steps

The Codec Working Group wants your feedback! Please try the new AOM_TUNE_IQ tuning mode, also available as the –tune=iq command-line option, and share your thoughts. Your input is valuable and helps the group improve on the next version. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to wg-codec-chair@aomedia.org.

Thank you to all Codec Working Group members who contributed to this release.