Blogs

My article in the Streaming Media Sourcebook entitled the State of Codecs 2017 just published. It’s actually a review of codec-related highlights from 2016, which include: HDR market converging on two-technology solution (Dolby Vision and HDR10) Beamr acquiring Vanguard Apple supporting fragmented MP4 files in HLS Apple deprecates TN2224 Netflix loudly proclaims HEVC superior to VP9, then quietly recants Eutelsat …

I wrote a story on ad blocking for the Streaming Media Sourcebook, which did not include Instart Logic. They called to set up a briefing, and here’s what they told me. Company: Instart Logic Product: AppShield Ad Integrity Date: March 28, 2017 Discussion with: Peter Blum, VP of Product, Dan Berkowitz, Head of Communications Quick summary: AppShield Ad Integrity is …

  Here’s what’s new. First, an essay entitled Standards are Failing the Streaming Industry, explores how MPEG’s inability to set unified pricing is hindering the utilization of HEVC, and will likely stall the deployment of DASH (read this article to learn about DASH royalties). The essay also talks about the Nokia vs. Apple lawsuit, which could boost royalties on H.264, and the Alliance for Open …

One of the least well known features of the book, Video Encoding by the Numbers, is the content related to FFmpeg. Specifically, for most operations discussed in the book, from setting resolution and data rate to segmenting a file for HLS delivery, the book details the corresponding FFmpeg commands. The latest review up on Amazon includes a major description of how …

OK, so this news is a bit less compelling than the Republicans withdrawing their Obamacare replacement from the vote, but job number 1 for any book author is “flog the book,” and who doesn’t get excited about positive reviews, particularly if from behind the former Iron Curtain. So when a colleague sent me a link to the review, I just …

For three years, encoding.com has issued an annual report about the video files that it produces for its 3,000+ customers. For me, it’s a reality check on which formats are doing well, and which are flailing. The most recent report, which you can download here, includes the following key insights. HEVC is losing share (from 6% to 3%), while H.264 continues …

So a potential client calls and says, “we’ve reached encoding capacity and we’re about to buy another encoding station. Can you look at our presets and see if we can improve throughput and delay the purchase?” “Sure,” I responded.  “Send me your encoding presets and I’ll have a look.” Once the presets arrived, I noticed that the encoder was x264-based, …

V-Nova launched their PERSEUS codec on April 1, 2015, an inauspicious day, particularly for a codec vendor making claims like, “offering UHD quality at HD bitrates, HD at SD bitrates, and SD video at audio bitrates.” That day, I was on a thread that proposed alternative headlines; my favorite, which was not penned by me, was, “Startup does something proprietary that …

Imagine you’re walking through Heathrow Airport terminal, shopping for tchotchkes to bring home to spouse and children. You spot a handsome Cambridge sweatshirt, give it a quick rub and squeeze, and it feels great. What do you check next? For me, it’s price, because if it’s £30, it’s coming home, but if it’s £60, I’m buying a “Mind the Gap” …

I’m co-hosting a webinar with MediaPlatform on February 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM ET entitled Top Ten Encoding Mistakes Made by Streaming Producers. Here’s the description.  Join MediaPlatform and Jan Ozer of Streaming Media Magazine for an in-depth discussion that will cover: Live webcasting and on-demand video allow your organization to leverage the power of streaming media to improve internal …