VP9 Video Extension 1.2.12.0

3 from 3 Reviews

VP9 Video Extension adds native support for Google's open-source video codec directly into Windows apps - no third-party software required.

VP9 powers most YouTube content at 1080p and above, making this extension essential for anyone downloading or streaming high-quality web video on Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Why Install VP9 Video Extension?

VP9 dominates online video streaming.

YouTube, Twitch, and countless websites use VP9 to deliver high-quality video at lower bitrates than older codecs like H.264.

Without proper codec support, you'll encounter playback errors in Windows Media Player, the Movies & TV app, and other native applications.

This extension provides:

YouTube compatibility - Play downloaded VP9 videos in any Windows app.
Hardware acceleration - Leverage your GPU for smooth 4K playback.
WebM support - Full compatibility with WebM files using VP9 encoding.
MKV container support - Works seamlessly with Matroska containers.

VP9 vs Other Video Codecs

VP9 occupies a strategic position in the codec landscape.

Developed by Google as a royalty-free alternative to HEVC/H.265, VP9 offers similar compression efficiency without licensing fees - which explains its dominance on YouTube and web platforms.

The AV1 codec represents VP9's successor, delivering approximately 30% better compression.

However, VP9 remains essential due to its massive existing content library and broader hardware decoder support on older devices.

For comprehensive format coverage, install VP9 alongside:

AV1 Video Extension - Next-generation streaming codec.
HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer - Essential for 4K video.
VP8 Video Codec - Legacy WebM support.

Hardware vs Software Decoding

Modern GPUs from Intel (7th gen+), NVIDIA (Pascal+), and AMD (Polaris+) include dedicated VP9 hardware decoders. With hardware support, you'll achieve smooth 4K60 playback with minimal CPU usage.

Devices without VP9 hardware acceleration fall back to software decoding. Performance depends on your CPU - expect smooth 1080p playback on most systems, though 4K may stutter on older hardware.

Check your GPU specifications to confirm VP9 hardware decoding support before expecting flawless 4K performance.

VP8 and VP9 Encoding Support

Beyond playback, this extension enables VP8 and VP9 encoding on devices lacking hardware encoders. Content creators can produce VP9 video for YouTube uploads directly from Windows applications that leverage Media Foundation APIs.

For professional encoding workflows, consider dedicated tools like FFmpeg or the encoding capabilities included in the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack.

Alternative Playback Solutions

If you prefer standalone media players with built-in VP9 support, these options handle VP9 without requiring the Windows extension:

VLC Media Player - Universal format support, zero configuration.
MPC-BE - Lightweight with integrated LAV Filters.
MPC-HC - Classic interface, excellent compatibility.
PotPlayer - Advanced features with hardware acceleration.

For system-wide VP9 support across all DirectShow applications, the K-Lite Codec Pack provides comprehensive codec coverage including VP9 decoding via LAV Filters.

Supported File Formats

VP9 Video Extension handles:

WebM (.webm) - Primary container for VP9 web video.
Matroska (.mkv) - Multi-track container with VP9 video streams.

System Requirements

Windows 10 version 17763.0 or higher.
Windows 11 (all versions).
Approximately 10 MB storage space.

Installation

Download the VP9 Video Extension package and run the installer. The codec integrates automatically with Windows Media Player, Movies & TV, and other Media Foundation applications. Restart your computer to activate hardware acceleration support.