November, 2017

• 1 November

  W2: Encoding 2017: Codecs & Packaging for PCs, Mobile, & OTT/STB/Smart TVs

  

  My first session at Streaming Media West. Here’s the description, you can download the handout below. As video resolutions increase and target playback platforms multiply, video producers must leave their H.264/HLS/HDS comfort zone and expand into HEVC, VP9, and MPEG-DASH. This workshop is divided into multiple segments by target platform to teach you the applicable standards and best strategies for …

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October, 2017

• 2 October

  Join Me at Streaming Media West November 1-3

  

  Streaming Media West is coming up on November 1-3 in Huntington Beach, CA, and there are tons of great sessions. I have a bunch of interesting sessions that I wanted to share here. I’ve posted full descriptions below, here are titles and a brief description. Pre-conference Sessions – Wednesday, November 1 I have two pre-conference sessions. 9:00 – 12:00 – …

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September, 2017

• 26 September

  Meet Me at Streaming Tech Sweden on November 22, 2017

  

  Just a quick note to say how excited I am to be the keynote speaker at Streaming Tech Sweden in Stockholm on November 22, 1017. The day-long show, which is sponsored by Swedish consultancy Eyevinn Technology, will help technology managers, architects, developers, and product managers understand how to deploy key streaming technologies. Here’s a discussion with the conference organizers, Magnus Svensson …

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• 18 September

  Apple Updates HLS Authoring Spec for 4K and HDR

  

  HLS just got really complicated. On September 9, 2017, Apple updated their HLS authoring requirements to include HDR and 4K recommendations. The updated ladder is shown below. Here are some of the new/updated requirements for HEVC and HDR. There are more in the spec, but these are the ones I wanted to comment on. 1.6. Profile, Level, and Tier for HEVC MUST …

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• 16 September

  LiveU Solo Broadcasts Local Healthcare Forum to Facebook Live

  

  On September 12, the Healthcare Information Committee of SW Virginia held a Healthcare Information Forum. In our tiny region of Virginia, all insurers had pulled out of the ACA, and there were many, many concerned and upset people in attendance (Anthem has since returned to the ACA market). One particularly informative speaker was Dr. Christina Dalton, shown above, who is …

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• 4 September

  Finding the Just Noticeable Difference with Netflix VMAF

  

  VMAF stands for Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion, but all you really need to know is that it’s the video quality metric co-invented by Netflix to replace the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) that used to fuel the company’s per-title encoding function. In the image above, which is courtesy of Netflix, you see how VMAF scores on the left more closely match …

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August, 2017

• 23 August

  Lineup Set for Per-Title Encoding Webinar

  Just a quick note about the Per-Title Encoding Webinar that I’m producing next Tuesday, August 29th, at 2:00 PM EST. In the webinar, after introducing the concept of per-title encoding, and discussing Netflix’s and YouTube’s technologies, I will compare three per-title approaches: – Capella Systems’ Source Adaptive Bitrate ladder, as implemented  in their Cambria FTC encoder, which you can read …

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• 21 August

  RealNetworks Launches New Video Codec

  

  RealNetworks is one of the most storied names in video streaming-if you’re on the wrong side of 40. If you’re younger, than odds are you never heard of the company. On Wednesday, August 16, RealNetworks announced an agreement to deploy Advanced RealMedia HD (RMHD) Technology in China. What do we know about the codec? Here’s a blurb from the product …

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• 20 August

  Apple’s Bitrate Control Strategy: Do as I Do, Not as I Say

  

  Apple’s HLS Authoring Specifications for Apple Devices approves up to 200% constrained VBR but Apple’s actual encodes are more like 110-120% constrained. What Apple Says As you probably know, Apple recently made sweeping changes to their HLS recommendations, including changing from 110% constrained VBR for VOD in TN2224, to 200% constrained VBR in the HLS Authoring Specifications for Apple Devices …

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• 15 August

  Showing Three Options for HEVC in HLS in Webinar Today

  I’m starting to get excited about the free Defining Your Encoding Ladder webinar today at 2:00 PM EST. In addition to a focus on reducing encoding and distribution costs (cut layers, cut ladders, cut bandwidth), I’ll be exploring three options for including HEVC in HLS presentations, and will be showing preliminary encoding ladders from MainConcept (hybrid HEVC/H.264), Bitmovin (HEVC only), …

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