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If you've ever stared at a recording folder wondering how one hour of footage managed to eat 40GB of storage, this update is for you. Meld Studio is rolling out support for AV1 and H.265 (HEVC) recording, two modern video codecs that deliver better quality at a fraction of the file size of standard H.264.
This is one of the most requested upgrades from our creator community, and it's finally here!
What Are AV1 and HEVC?
AV1 and HEVC (also called H.265) are next-generation video codecs designed to replace the aging H.264 standard most recording software still defaults to. Both codecs compress video far more efficiently, which means you get:
- Smaller file sizes for the same visual quality
- Higher visual quality at the same file size, if you'd rather keep your bitrate steady
- Less strain on storage, especially for long recording sessions of multi-camera setups
- Faster uploads and transfers, since smaller files more quicker
In practical terms, a recording that used to take up 20GB in H.264 might land closer to 10 to 12GB in HEVC or AV1, with no visible drop in quality. For creators recording long streams, tutorials, or multi-hour sessions, that adds up fast.
How to Use AV1 and HEVC Recording
Getting started takes less than a minute to setup:
- Go to your Settings
- Head to Recording Output → Edit
- Toggle on Hardware Encoder
- Select H.265 (HEVC) or AV1 from the new Codec menu
Meld handles the rest automatically. Codec and file format compatibility are matched behind the scenes, so you don't need to manually troubleshoot container settings.
A few important details to keep in mind:
- The Codec menu only appears if your hardware and encoder support additional codecs. If you don't see it, your setup currently supports H.264 only.
- AV1 is not compatible with the MOV file format. If you need AV1, choose a different container like MP4 or MKV.
- FLV recordings remain locked to H.264, regardless of your hardware.
- If you switch from a hardware encoder to a software encoder, your recording codec will automatically reset to H.264.
What Hardware Supports AV1 and HEVC Recording?
Codec support depends entirely on your GPU generation, so it's worth checking where your setup lands before diving in.
NVIDIA HEVC encoding has been supported since the GTX 900 series (Maxwell architecture). AV1 encoding is newer and requires an RTX 40 series GPU or later, on both desktop and laptop.
AMD HEVC 8-bit encoding works on Radeon RX 400 series (Polaris) and newer. HEVC 10-bit needs a Ryzen 4000 series APU or Radeon RX 5000 series (Navi 1x) or later. AV1 encoding requires the Radeon RX 7000 series (Navi 3x) or newer, including recent Ryzen APUs with integrated graphics.
Intel Intel Arc GPUs were among the first consumer graphics cards to offer native AV1 hardware encoding. Newer generations of Intel Quick Sync, found in recent Intel CPUs, also support AV1 and HEVC.
If your GPU falls outside these ranges, Meld will simply keep you on H.264, and that's expected behavior, not a bug.
Saving Your Recordings
Storage is one of the quiet, ongoing costs of content creation. Every hour of unedited footage sits on a drive somewhere, often for weeks before it gets touched. Switching to AV1 or HEVC means:
- You can archive more footage without upgrading your storage
- Backups and cloud uploads finish faster and cost less in bandwidth
- Editing proxies and transfers to collaborators are lighter and quicker
- You get more usable recording time on the same hard drive
For creators juggling multiple projects or long-form content, this isn't a small convenience. It's a meaningful shift in how sustainable your recording workflow is over time.
Conclusion
AV1 and HEVC recording in Meld Studio is about giving creators more control over quality and storage without adding extra steps to your workflow. If your hardware supports it, turning it on takes seconds, and the payoff shows up every time you record.
Update your settings, give it a try, and let us know what you find.
FAQ
Do I need new hardware to use AV1 or HEVC recording in Meld Studio?
Not necessarily. If your GPU already supports hardware encoding for AV1 or HEVC (see the hardware breakdown above), you can enable it right away in Settings. If your GPU doesn't support it, Meld will continue recording in H.264.
Will AV1 or HEVC recordings look better than H.264?
At the same file size, yes, both codecs typically produce sharper, cleaner video than H.264. You can also keep the same visual quality while significantly reducing file size, depending on what matters more for your workflow.
Why can't I select AV1 with MOV files?
AV1 currently isn't supported in the MOV container. If you want to record in AV1, choose MP4 or another supported format instead.
Why does my recording switch back to H.264 automatically?
This happens if you switch from a hardware encoder to a software encoder. Software encoding in Meld currently defaults to H.264, so you'll need to re-enable your hardware encoder to pick AV1 or HEVC again.
Can I use HEVC or AV1 for FLV recordings?
No. FLV recordings are locked to H.264 regardless of your hardware or codec settings.
Where can I check if my GPU supports these codecs?
Check your GPU manufacturer's specs for hardware encoding support (NVENC for NVIDIA, AMF/VCN for AMD, or Quick Sync for Intel). Generally, GPUs from the last three to four years support HEVC, and AV1 encoding requires more recent hardware like RTX 40 series, RX 7000 series, or Intel Arc.
Is this feature available to everyone right now?
This is currently rolling out as part of an early access release. Availability may vary while we continue testing across hardware configurations and refining the experience based on creator feedback.
