Filename extension |
.opus[1] |
---|---|
Internet media type | audio/ogg [2]audio/opus (RTP)[3] |
Developed by | IETF codec working group |
Initial release | September 11, 2012 |
Type of format | Lossy audio |
Contained by | Ogg, Matroska, WebM, MPEG-TS, ISOBMFF, CAF |
Extended from | SILK, CELT |
Standard | RFC 6716 |
Open format? | Yes |
Free format? | Yes |
Website | opus-codec |
Developer(s) | Xiph.Org Foundation |
---|---|
Initial release | August 26, 2012 |
Stable release | 1.5.2
/ April 12, 2024 |
Written in | C89 |
Platform | Cross-platform |
Type | Audio codec, reference implementation |
License | 3-clause BSD license (with patent license) |
Website | Opus codec downloads |
Opus is a lossy audio coding format developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation and standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force, designed to efficiently code speech and general audio in a single format, while remaining low-latency enough for real-time interactive communication and low-complexity enough for low-end embedded processors.[4][5] Opus replaces both Vorbis and Speex for new applications, and several blind listening tests have ranked it higher-quality than any other standard audio format at any given bitrate until transparency is reached, including MP3, AAC, and HE-AAC.[6][7]
Opus combines the speech-oriented LPC-based SILK algorithm and the lower-latency MDCT-based CELT algorithm, switching between or combining them as needed for maximal efficiency.[4] Bitrate, audio bandwidth, complexity, and algorithm can all be adjusted seamlessly in each frame. Opus has the low algorithmic delay (26.5 ms by default)[8] necessary for use as part of a real-time communication link, networked music performances, and live lip sync; by trading off quality or bitrate, the delay can be reduced down to 5 ms. Its delay is exceptionally low compared to competing codecs, which require well over 100 ms, yet Opus performs very competitively with these formats in terms of quality per bitrate.[9]
As an open format standardized through RFC 6716, a reference implementation called libopus is available under the New BSD License. The reference has both fixed-point and floating-point optimizations for low- and high-end devices, with SIMD optimizations on platforms that support them. All known software patents that cover Opus are licensed under royalty-free terms.[10] Opus is widely used as a voice over IP (VoIP) codec in applications such as Discord,[11] WhatsApp,[12][13][14] and the PlayStation 4.[15]
testsummary
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).96kListeningTest
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).CELT's look-ahead is 2.5 ms, while SILK's look-ahead is 5 ms, plus 1.5 ms for the resampling (including both encoder and decoder resampling). For this reason, the CELT path in the encoder adds a 4 ms delay. However, an application can restrict the encoder to CELT and omit that delay. This reduces the total look-ahead to 2.5 ms.
OpusLicense
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Register
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Srivastava
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Hazra
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).playstation
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).