-i-
7th April 2002, 03:57
I got the following off of a list that I am on, thought some would be interested...
:start quote:
"I did a post a while back asking for feedback on a new MPEG 1 encoding
process. Some people were amazed at my sample and others thought I was using
some kind of smoke and mirrors technique. Over the past couple of years I've
done a lot of experimenting and finally have been able to consistently
encode video that will play back with Windows Mediaplayer and Windows 98
(and above--ME,XP,NT,2000, etc.) OS.
_No_plugins,_codec_installs_or_software_is_needed. Just click and it plays.
The video has about 3.5 times the number of pixels per frame as compared to
video CD / VCD (just under 640 x 480, VCD is 352 x 240)
The data rate of the 10 second test.mpg file indicated below is
approximately 702K bits per second. (10 second file, 857K bytes) That's
about 1/2 the datarate of VCD. It is a bit high for streaming video (most
streaming video is at 300K bits per second) but it is not unrealistic to
download files that are a minute or so in length. A 1 minute file would be
about 5 megabytes. On a CD-ROM you'd be talking about 135 minutes give or
take using the sample below as a guide.
The big thing that has always bugged me about highly compressed files is
text always looks like crap. Well, take a look at the text on the example
below and I think you will be surprised at what is achievable.
The reason I'm posting to this list is to hold myself up to criticism - be
put in my place if you will. I think my process is really exceptional, but
I'd feel a lot better hearing it from you seasoned experts. Or told why I'm
full of crap. ;>)
I really don't like reading hype, especially when it's not true. But I am
impressed when people in the know comment pro or con on a new process. The
file below uses, what I believe, is a unique process to encode MPEG1 decoder
compatible files (at least Windows PCs). For some reason Macintosh computers
don't like the files. I think I know why, and suspect that there isn't an
easy way to fix this problem - my apologies to Mac users.
For those of you who like to gripe, yes, I know it is a talking head and
easier to encode than quick paced edited video. It wasn't a locked down
camera though and is typical of talking head shots. For more difficult
encodes, I reduce the frame size somewhat and employ other data saving
techniques. Send me a video (up to :30 seconds) and I'll encode it and you
can see for yourself what is possible -- FREE. Then you can gripe all you
want ;>)
My goal is to begin offering Questa-MPEG1-HQ video encoding services to
resellers using a "Priceline.com" pricing scheme where resellers would name
their own price. The way it would work is, resellers with higher prices
would go to the top of the list and resellers with lower prices would have
to wait in line behind those willing to pay more. For resellers who need it
same day or within 24 hours, the price would be $250 per minute. Otherwise
jobs will be finished as they get done in the que. (we would provide an
estimated completion date). We will not license or sell the technology and
patents are pending. What is the lowest price we would accept? 5 cents per
minute (but you might be waiting a long time to get your encoded file).
Price does not include shipping and handling, however sending the file over
the internet is free.
I know this post is sort of an advertisement, and I hope you won't be too
offended by it. The real aspect to my comments has to do with making this
new technology known. Most people I have spoken with do not believe that an
MPEG 1 file can look anywhere near this good. And certainly don't know that
it can be done at data rates nearly 1/2 that of VCD.
AND
If you used a DVD-5, you could fit over 13 hours of video on a single side
of a disc. (Of course it would only play back on a PC).
Thanks very much for reading. Check out the file by clicking the link (or
typing it into your browser). Let me know what you think - good or bad. I
hope you are as amazed as I am at this technology.
Link: http://www.filmplaylinks.com/test.mpg (Don't use Quicktime to
play it! Use MediaPlayer.)
Thanks!
Gregory Green
Questa Corporation
312 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
email me at: gregreen@touchman.com or g.green@filmplaylinks.com"
:start quote:
"I did a post a while back asking for feedback on a new MPEG 1 encoding
process. Some people were amazed at my sample and others thought I was using
some kind of smoke and mirrors technique. Over the past couple of years I've
done a lot of experimenting and finally have been able to consistently
encode video that will play back with Windows Mediaplayer and Windows 98
(and above--ME,XP,NT,2000, etc.) OS.
_No_plugins,_codec_installs_or_software_is_needed. Just click and it plays.
The video has about 3.5 times the number of pixels per frame as compared to
video CD / VCD (just under 640 x 480, VCD is 352 x 240)
The data rate of the 10 second test.mpg file indicated below is
approximately 702K bits per second. (10 second file, 857K bytes) That's
about 1/2 the datarate of VCD. It is a bit high for streaming video (most
streaming video is at 300K bits per second) but it is not unrealistic to
download files that are a minute or so in length. A 1 minute file would be
about 5 megabytes. On a CD-ROM you'd be talking about 135 minutes give or
take using the sample below as a guide.
The big thing that has always bugged me about highly compressed files is
text always looks like crap. Well, take a look at the text on the example
below and I think you will be surprised at what is achievable.
The reason I'm posting to this list is to hold myself up to criticism - be
put in my place if you will. I think my process is really exceptional, but
I'd feel a lot better hearing it from you seasoned experts. Or told why I'm
full of crap. ;>)
I really don't like reading hype, especially when it's not true. But I am
impressed when people in the know comment pro or con on a new process. The
file below uses, what I believe, is a unique process to encode MPEG1 decoder
compatible files (at least Windows PCs). For some reason Macintosh computers
don't like the files. I think I know why, and suspect that there isn't an
easy way to fix this problem - my apologies to Mac users.
For those of you who like to gripe, yes, I know it is a talking head and
easier to encode than quick paced edited video. It wasn't a locked down
camera though and is typical of talking head shots. For more difficult
encodes, I reduce the frame size somewhat and employ other data saving
techniques. Send me a video (up to :30 seconds) and I'll encode it and you
can see for yourself what is possible -- FREE. Then you can gripe all you
want ;>)
My goal is to begin offering Questa-MPEG1-HQ video encoding services to
resellers using a "Priceline.com" pricing scheme where resellers would name
their own price. The way it would work is, resellers with higher prices
would go to the top of the list and resellers with lower prices would have
to wait in line behind those willing to pay more. For resellers who need it
same day or within 24 hours, the price would be $250 per minute. Otherwise
jobs will be finished as they get done in the que. (we would provide an
estimated completion date). We will not license or sell the technology and
patents are pending. What is the lowest price we would accept? 5 cents per
minute (but you might be waiting a long time to get your encoded file).
Price does not include shipping and handling, however sending the file over
the internet is free.
I know this post is sort of an advertisement, and I hope you won't be too
offended by it. The real aspect to my comments has to do with making this
new technology known. Most people I have spoken with do not believe that an
MPEG 1 file can look anywhere near this good. And certainly don't know that
it can be done at data rates nearly 1/2 that of VCD.
AND
If you used a DVD-5, you could fit over 13 hours of video on a single side
of a disc. (Of course it would only play back on a PC).
Thanks very much for reading. Check out the file by clicking the link (or
typing it into your browser). Let me know what you think - good or bad. I
hope you are as amazed as I am at this technology.
Link: http://www.filmplaylinks.com/test.mpg (Don't use Quicktime to
play it! Use MediaPlayer.)
Thanks!
Gregory Green
Questa Corporation
312 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
email me at: gregreen@touchman.com or g.green@filmplaylinks.com"