Microsoft has mentioned that it is working to add support for Google's WebM video file format — an open-source royalty-free alternative to the H.264 format — in its Edge browser. With Google ditching Flash Player for HTML5 earlier this year, native support for the WebM format will ensure better compatibility with video streaming sites such as YouTube.
The WebM container originally consisted of the VP8 video codec, with audio encoded through Vorbis. Google has since launched the VP9 format, which reduces bit rate by half as much while retaining the same quality. YouTube is using the newer VP9 format to encode 4K content. The integration of WebM means that VP9 will also be included in Edge by default.
The addition of WebM, followed by the integration of Dolby Audio earlier this year, is an indication as to how Microsoft is continually building on the feature-set of its latest browser.
Source: Microsoft UserVoice; Via: Neowin
