Quite a good synopsis of the issue, Jim. Although hobbiests and experimenters may "hack" their ICOM DSTAR radios to implement other codecs, it's apparent doing so across the board is beyond reasonable expectation at this point (unless ICOM opens their arms and releases a dual-codec UT-118, or hobbiests implement a cost effective type design , again not likely).
In terms of potential, David is one of the few guys who could probably pull it's development off. He's one of the original developers open source Speex VoIP codec, and did his PhD research in codec technology. However, he can't develop Codec2 in a vacuum. He's gotta pay the bills like all of us, and doesn't have the hundred/thousands of hours needed to fully develop Codec2 without one of two things: money to help pay the bills, or development help. He's looking at Google's Summer of Code as a potential resource of help, however that won't come around til next year. If any of you speak the C language he could use your hand! At the very least, getting Codec2 to a beta-testing stage would be exciting to say the least! However, it won't happen without community support. -73, KE7HQY ________________________________ From: J. Moen <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 8:03:26 PM Subject: Re: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Codec2 development - open source vocoder When talking about DV hardware approaches, I have no problem with D-STAR's use of the proprietary AMBE coded that sells for about $20 per chip in small quantities. It was chosen because it was the best codec available. Most other DV systems use AMBE chips too. But when talking about DV software approaches, the AMBE chip does limit development, not so much because it's proprietary, but because you can only get it at that inexpensive price on a chip. This greatly limits experimentation. So a couple of new codecs legally available to amateurs would be very welcome. David's codec2 web page also points out the value for amateur satellites of having open code that could be uploaded to the sats. He advocates at least two new codecs, one with better audio quality and wider bandwidth for use on VHF+, the other using narrow bandwidth (like MELP) for HF. If this really happens, there will be a lot of happy amateurs worldwide. But I am skeptical that it will happen anytime soon. We are told it is very hard to write quality, workable codecs that work in a reasonable bandwidth. David's site currently conjectures how to go about this archtecturally, but this project needs more than good plans and good intentions. But, I wish him luck. Jim - K6JM ----- Original Message ----- >From: a cutler22 >To: dstar_digital@ yahoogroups. com >Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 5:18 PM >Subject: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] Codec2 > development - open source vocoder >Some > of you may have heard of "codec2": www.codec2.org > >David Rowe, VK5DGR has > been working on its development - it is an open source alternative to the > closed AMBE chip required for the current version of the DSTAR protocol. His > development site is: http://www.rowetel. com/ucasterisk/ codec2.html > >Current > development status is available here: http://www.rowetel. com/ucasterisk/ > codec2.html# plan > >He > is currenty looking for assistance, either financially or coding. Because of > financial obligations he's had to take a hiatus from development to pay > bills > with other work. > >His email is: da...@rowetel. com > >The > prospect of an open-source vocoder, ham-developed would open a lot of doors > in > the way of experimentation, and reduce the $$$ barrier. A DSTAR protocol > implementing Codec2 Digital Voice would significantly drop the entrance and > appeal to a much wider audience! > >-73 de Anthony, > KE7HQY >
