The Best Codecs

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Posted By: Dan Rayburn

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There always seems to be a lot of discussion about codecs on the
lists so I thought I would post this for those interested.

Today, StreamingMedia.com released two new research reports comparing
codecs on the market. These reports are unique for a few reasons. For
starters, they are both over 100 pages in length, come with all the
original files used for comparison and are affordable at only $295
per report. Additionally, all of the test videos were supplied to the
author of the report, Jan Ozer, directly from the vendors. Below is
more info.

Proprietary Codecs, 2006: Choosing and Using the Optimal Video Codec
This 118 page report compares RealVideo and Windows Media with the
best available MPEG-4/H.264 and Flash codecs to identify which codec
produces the best quality video at five encoding configurations
(modem, 3GPP, 100, 300 and 500 kbps). The test clip includes 38 clips
grouped in sections for business, sports, entertainment, animation
and pan and zoom content. Apple, Microsoft and Real encoded the test
clips to our parameters to ensure optimal quality. The report ranks
all codecs at all encoding configurations for each class of content,
allowing producers to instantly see which technology delivers the
best quality for their content at their intended distribution
parameters.

The report also benchmarks the quality of Windows Media and RealVideo
files output by batch encoding tools Autodesk Cleaner XL, Canopus
Procoder and Sorenson Squeeze, identifying the best encoder for each
class of video. The report concludes with a section on producing top
quality streaming video, describing how to light, shoot, and edit for
optimal Flash quality.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/research/codecs.asp

Flash Codecs, 2006: Choosing and Using the Optimal Flash Codec
This 100 page report is for streaming media producers who need
optimal quality Flash video. The report compares all Flash Codecs
(VP6, Spark, Wildform) and the most significant encoding tools
(Sorenson Squeeze, On2 Flix Pro, Macromedia Flash Video Encoder,
AutoDesk Cleaner XL 1.5) to identify which encoding tool/codec
produces the best quality video at four encoding configurations
(3GPP, 100, 300 and 500 kbps) using a 38-segment test clip containing
sections for business, sports, entertainment, animation and pan and
zoom content.

The report also evaluates the effectiveness of noise reduction and
similar quality enhancement techniques, and explains how to avoid or
work around common problems experienced with the Macromedia Flash,
Flix Pro and Squeeze encoders. The report concludes with a section on
producing top quality streaming video, describing how to light,
shoot, and edit for optimal Flash quality.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/research/flash.asp

Dan Rayburn
StreamingMedia.com
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The Best Codecs
There always seems to be a lot of discussion
about codecs on the lists so I thought I would post this for those
interested.

Today, StreamingMedia.com released two new
research reports comparing codecs on the market. These reports are
unique for a few reasons. For starters, they are both over 100 pages
in length, come with all the original files used for comparison and
are affordable at only $295 per report. Additionally, all of the test
videos were supplied to the author of the report, Jan Ozer, directly
from the vendors. Below is more info.

Proprietary Codecs, 2006: Choosing and
Using the Optimal Video Codec
This 118 page report compares
RealVideo and Windows Media with the best available MPEG-4/H.264 and
Flash codecs to identify which codec produces the best quality video
at five encoding configurations (modem, 3GPP, 100, 300 and 500 kbps).
The test clip includes 38 clips grouped in sections for business,
sports, entertainment, animation and pan and zoom content. Apple,
Microsoft and Real encoded the test clips to our parameters to ensure
optimal quality. The report ranks all codecs at all encoding
configurations for each class of content, allowing producers to
instantly see which technology delivers the best quality for their
content at their intended distribution parameters.

The report also benchmarks the
quality of Windows Media and RealVideo files output by batch encoding
tools Autodesk Cleaner XL, Canopus Procoder and Sorenson Squeeze,
identifying the best encoder for each class of video. The report
concludes with a section on producing top quality streaming video,
describing how to light, shoot, and edit for optimal Flash
quality.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/research/codecs.asp

Flash Codecs, 2006: Choosing and Using the
Optimal Flash Codec
This 100 page report is for
streaming media producers who need optimal quality Flash video. The
report compares all Flash Codecs (VP6, Spark, Wildform) and the most
significant encoding tools (Sorenson Squeeze, On2 Flix Pro, Macromedia
Flash Video Encoder, AutoDesk Cleaner XL 1.5) to identify which
encoding tool/codec produces the best quality video at four encoding
configurations (3GPP, 100, 300 and 500 kbps) using a 38-segment test
clip containing sections for business, sports, entertainment,
animation and pan and zoom content.

The report also evaluates the
effectiveness of noise reduction and similar quality enhancement
techniques, and explains how to avoid or work around common problems
experienced with the Macromedia Flash, Flix Pro and Squeeze encoders.
The report concludes with a section on producing top quality streaming
video, describing how to light, shoot, and edit for optimal Flash
quality.
http://www.streamingmedia.com/research/flash.asp

Dan Rayburn
StreamingMedia.com


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