Agora launches advanced video technology to enhance live stream quality

Agora, Inc, a platform for real-time engagement APIs, unveiled its latest innovation, Adaptive Video Optimization (AVO) along with support for the AV1 video codec. This advanced technology harnesses the power of machine learning to adjust parameters at every step from capture to playback to deliver an enhanced live video streaming experience. 

In today’s fast-paced digital world, live video calling and streaming often encounter hurdles such as network conditions, packet loss, and limited bandwidth. These challenges can result in freezing, stuttering, grainy video, and dropped connections, diminishing the real-time video experience and negatively impacting user engagement.

Adaptive Video Optimization^TM uses a series of advanced machine learning algorithms to address these common issues. By optimizing video quality in real-time based on network conditions, device capabilities, and available bandwidth, AVO ensures the highest possible video quality and optimal performance even under varying network scenarios. 

Tony Zhao, CEO and Co-Founder of Agora, said, “Reliable and high-quality live streaming is essential in today’s video-dominated media landscape. Our Adaptive Video Optimization technology enables smooth delivery of every video call and livestream—despite network variability, user’s location or device type. These improvements empower Agora’s customers to provide the highest-quality live video user experience.”

Agora’s commitment to delivering a real-time video experience with AVO rests on three core pillars:

• Optimized Image Quality: Ensures that every frame is crisp, with enhanced contrast and vibrant details that make the viewing experience clearer and more engaging.
• Unmatched Video Fluency: Eliminates common streaming issues like buffering and stuttering, providing a smooth and natural flow.
• Ultra-Low Latency: Allows users to interact in real-time, whether with hosts or other viewers and enjoy quick loading times and instant first-frame rendering for seamless transitions between video streams.

AVO^TM takes a machine learning approach to ensure the highest quality video streaming experience by optimizing every stage of the video processing pipeline — pre-processing, encoding, transmission, decoding, and post-processing.

A key component of this solution is Agora’s Coding Technology (ACT), designed to optimize user experiences by selecting the best video codec (like AV1 or VP9) based on device capabilities and interoperability requirements.

By employing advanced techniques and compression methods, the technology adapts, configuring parameters dynamically, and ensures crisp visuals, efficient bandwidth utilization, and a consistent, experience for all users, from the moment the video is captured to the final display on the viewer’s screen.

From video capture through playback, the technology continuously adapts to changing network conditions and device capabilities, guaranteeing a streaming experience. Any imperfections that may arise during transmission are rapidly mitigated, and the final video is polished to provide lifelike clarity, delivering a superior real-time video experience for scenarios ranging from telehealth consultations to live shopping and social media.

Ellard Capiral, VP of Engineering at social live streaming app KUMU, said, “Agora’s Adaptive Video Optimization^TM (AVO) drastically improved the real-time video experience in our app.Users get smooth, high-quality video without freezes—even on slow connections and older devices. Since implementing AVO, we’ve seen a 30% increase in session length and engagement.”

To learn more about Agora’s Adaptive Video Optimization^TM technology, check out this blog on Optimizing the Live Video User Experience and watch a side-by-side video comparison demonstrating superior real-time video quality.