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MillimeterFields & Frames
Feb 1, 2005 12:00 PM, by Dan Ochiva
In November, this column discussed claims made by EE Times reporter Junko Yoshida that Microsoft faced increased resistance in efforts to gain support for its VC-1 video codec as an open standard. (VC-1 is one of a number of components comprising WM9, or Windows Media.) ▪ In the article, Yoshida quoted unnamed sources that claimed, for example, that SMPTE faced “growing frustration and constant bickering” within its ranks over VC-1 validation, which has held up progress toward a final standard. Another unnamed observer asserted that VC-1 is “perceived as behind in quality” compared to the rival H.264/MPEG-4 AVC spec. ▪ Due to deadline constraints, we could not include Microsoft's responses in that column. However, the company recently sent a point-by-point rebuttal to EE Times. ▪ According to this document, SMPTE and Microsoft didn't underestimate the difficulties of making VC-1 an open standard. Rather, Microsoft explains, the codec's slow validation process reflects the many dozens of SMPTE member companies who each want to vet the codec in regards to their own products. ▪ The VC-1 codec isn't lagging in quality compared to the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. Communications Technology magazine, for example, declared that VC-1 is superior to other codecs in comparable scenarios. The DVD Forum stated that VC-1 achieved the “highest average scores” among the codecs it has tested. ▪ Microsoft's Amir Majidimehr told Millimeter, “Despite unsourced claims that appeared in the EE Times article, VC-1 continues to make steady and positive progress within SMPTE. Independent tests have verified the superior quality of the codec, and work is continuing with MPEG LA to finalize the licensing. As we've said publicly before, we fully expect a standardized version of this technology to be broadly available to the industry.” ▸ A new approach to help track illegal copying of movies recently debuted. In demonstrations at Post Logic Studios in Los Angeles and New York, Sarnoff demonstrated iTrace, which enables content owners to trace pirated video back through the illegal distribution chain to its last legal source. ▪ iTrace allows content owners to identify individual distributors or exhibitors of a film by embedding in the onscreen image a set of invisible digital codes that can be detected with the right equipment. Sarnoff says that's the case even when low-quality camcorders capture cinema or video content. Even if the image is compressed at low bit rates for Internet streaming, the telltale digital code persists. ▸ Ever wondered if you would be able to search for video on the Web? In our media-happy society, why not? Well, adding clips and streams to a search engine's chores is difficult, it turns out. The main reason? Lack of accepted metadata standards for video precludes most searches. ▪ One company, Blinkx (www.blinkx.tv) solves that by automatically transcribing the audio attached to the television clips it's designed to search for. Google is now testing a similar service. ▪ Meanwhile, Yahoo launched a new search engine with video capabilities, while AOL redesigned its Singingfish site (www.singingfish.com) to make it easier for users.
