Apple testing new video compression software
updated 10:30 am EDT, Fri June 11, 2004
Apple tests MPEG-4 part 10
Apple is currently testing that it will incorporate into future versions of QuickTime and hopes will become the successor to MPEG-2, according to Internet.com: "MPEG-4 part 10 or H.264/AVC, is the next-generation video compression technology in the MPEG-4 standard. Already ratified by both the ITU and ISO MPEG." Apple said it hopes the technology will become the standard for video encoding for 'everything from 3G to High Definition (HD) broadcast' and is now testing it internally on its Cupertino campus, after it demonstrated HD-based MPEG-4 part 10 content playback between 6.8- and 8-Mbps on a dual-processor Power Mac. The article also notes that Apple moved into the No. 2 spot in the media player market with 36.8 percent of the market, behind Microsoft's 38.2 percent and ahead of Real's 24.9 percent share.
Way to go Apple!
06/11, 11:21am reply
Maybe Apple will have the largest market share for media player once HP computers start shipping with iTunes. And shortly after they will have a larger marketshare than Microsoft in Wi-fi hardware. One battle at a time.
koolkid1976
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2003
WOW...
06/11, 11:29am reply
Real isn't so real anymore.
I always thought Quicktime had probably the best architecture ... I think it's all about codecs now?
I've resigned the fact that 'beating' Microsoft is almost impossible due to the fact they control the majority of desktops out there ... but something like Flash has proven that if something is good enough, people will adopt it.
Kinda wish the stars were aligned and Apple bought Macromedia ... Dare to Dream...
t_c
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2002
Real lost
06/11, 11:48am reply
When OS X came out there was no Real Player for more than a year.
Real Player crashes often. Also, it leaves ram file turds on your desktop. Plus, auto opening a file leads to security issues.
Real server is a memory leaking POS. Well, when I use to have to use it.
QT has mpeg 4 now. I just wish Real would go away and sites would stop using it.
Jablabla
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2000
The reason....
06/11, 11:52am reply
I think QuickTime isn't more prevalent is because it's pretty slow on older Windows boxes. You know, kinda how WiMP is on Macs. :)
adrew
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2002
Re: Real lost
06/11, 12:36pm reply
Please, those might be your annoyances, but the biggest annoyance of Real's software is just the hassle you have to go through to find/get the free version, how it infects your computer with auto-start features, icons and other business going on, and all-around bad interface.
What more do you need for it to go downhill?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
MS is ahead
06/11, 12:38pm reply
in terms of the having HD content available in the WMV format.
Sure, you need a 3ghz PC to playback T2 in 1080p but who else has 1080p out now?
klinux
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
p***
06/11, 02:01pm reply
If Apple supports the p*** industry QT's marketshare will hit at least 60%, guaranteed ;-)
Leonis
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
H.264
06/11, 02:53pm reply
I saw H.264 demo'd at NAB and it really is quite impressive. The quality as it scales from low bitrate to high bitrate is really nice.
sith33
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Re: MS is ahead
06/11, 03:21pm reply
"who else has 1080p out now?"
Ah, actually Real 10 can support 1080p now. It has unlimited scalability. Very nice results. Unfortunately the tools for encoding are just starting to get stable, 6 months after its release.
csimon2
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Apple, Get Real!
06/11, 07:08pm reply
As in BUY IT.
chas_m
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001