On 8/30/06, Lourens Veen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Wednesday 30 August 2006 00:39, Lance Hanlen wrote:
> On 8/29/06, Dieter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > Theora's IP is designed from the ground
> > > up to be as "patent-free" as our system(s) of government allow.
> >
> > That's great. But since the common sources of video (over the air
> > broadcasts, DVDs, etc.) are mpeg, we need to be able to decode
> > mpeg.
>
> In fact, MPEG and Theora are different ways of saying the same thing.
> Video uses several fundamental cores, if you have one standard worked
> out you have done the dog work for all of them, it's just a question
> of details (but that's where the devil is :)
Actually, way back (before Vorbis was standardised even) there was a
tarkin-dev mailinglist and the beginnings of a Tarkin video codec
project over at Xiph. That codec was based on 3D wavelets. And I've had
ideas of a codec that doesn't even have the concept of a frame for a
while, but I haven't had time to work it out.
I don't doubt it's a vastly superior approach. I for one am really
keen to know more.
But we're stuck with M(J)PEG like we're stuck with Intel and even
Linux, because they got there first.
Of course, neither of these are mainstream, and they probably wouldn't
have become mainstream anyway due to patent uncertainty. Video
compression is a patent minefield, but at least for MPEG you have some
idea of where the mines are, and since it's widespread the (perceived)
risk is lower. Just saying that there are other options.
I really want to emphasize that patents are not so bad unless you're a
giant corporation. You're right about MPEG, it makes patents
completely painless, something like $1 to cover all IP and you're free
to do whatever -- practically GPL :) Well maybe not, but it's very
carefully and well thought out, you don't even know you're using
patents, and all the evil tyrants who hold them still get paid.
--
Lance
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost
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