New Video Codec Turns Heads

[eric_darling]

The video production industry is rapidly gaining interest in a new version of the On2 video codec. Samples are available online - this is cutting edge stuff.

http://www.on2.com/vp7_samples.php

It is going to take some tricks in terms of adoption, but this codec is HOT.

[Corey]

Cool!

[eric_darling]

Yeah, I couldn't believe the quality on the 700 kb stuff. For WMV9 to get where that stuff is, you'd be talking another 400 kb easy. With WMV9 being the best commercially available codec otherwise, I'd say this is a quantum leap in compression technology. I am still floored.

[eric_darling]

Oh, and BTW, Flash 8 video will be based on this new codec - can we officially claim Flash as the new best standard for video delivery yet? Probably not just yet. About 6 months ago, I made the decision to learn and use Flash every chance I get. I saw this kind of thing coming. Flash is the future of video delivery on the computer. It's cross-platform, it's nearly ubiquitous, and now it will be simply unrivaled in terms of visual quality. And, of course, you get the powerful additional scripting/layout and animation features of Flash. Now, if only we can make sure everyone has a seamless upgrade experience to version 8, we're all set.

[Corey]

I agree. The new Flash player is incredible, I can hardly wait. The real time effects and new video alpha alone are amazing. Flash upgrades are about as easy as any out there, although I find a lot of computer users still don't have/upgrade their Flash. I suspect we'll have to have plug-in checks in place for most applications for some time to come. My preferred method nowadays is like what you see at TrueUpdate.com on the flash tour page, i.e. if Flash is installed it just hops to the movie because I have a small movie clip with a getURL action in it on that page. If there's no Flash, then they remain on the prompt-to-install page. Works OK.

In terms of the codec, that's amazing.

[Intrigued]

Fp 8, E.r.d ?

[eric_darling]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050405/latu124.html?.v=5

[AGRO]

http://www.moock.org/blog/archives/000146.html

[Intrigued]

http://www.moock.org/blog/archives/000146.html

I had checked out those videos before myself AGRO and they are very impressive... especially when several objects are animated on the screen. The FPS was awesome and still fluid! I see some cool Flash abilities (gaming for one) when that player goes "gold".

[AXXESS]

Text presentation has always been a weak point in Flash (I know, there are some workarounds, but...).

NOW it looks like text in Flash will really ROCK!!!!

The drop shadow built-in is also awesome...!

[Corey]

The ability to control effects dynamically with action script is nifty and/or groovy.

[Intrigued]

To bad the Run-Time will be 25MB'ish... OH WAIT! That's Visual Basic, V.S.NET! (and thus another joke was born, that should have been abor... well anyway)

8-D