Next generation of SIF Codec is available

[BlackQQQ]

SIF Video Codec project was started about 20 years ago as a pure new video compression approach based on human visual cortex model (now known as Feynman Machine). As the results SIF Codec has adaptive bitrate management and in-frame parallelization natively embedded into the core of compression technology.
We are glad to share its latest version for a community here. You can find a follow set of files:
- Direct Show Decoder and VFW Encoder for Windows
- Console Utilities and Libraries for Windows (documentation is included)
- Console Utilities and Libraries for Linux (documentation is included)
here: https://sifcodec.com/downloads

You may use dynamic libraries to embed SIF compression technology into your projects based on non-commercial research license from SIF Codec LLC. SIF Codec architecture is fully independent from any third-party IP rights, including patents and copyrights.

SIF Codec has its own:
- patented texture coding technology
- patented entropy engine (more effective than CABAC)
- original and optimized technology of movement compensation
SIF Codec does not use:
- any loop filtering technologies and have better texture details because of it
- predictors and merge for movement vectors coding

Planned further improvements:
- B-frames implementation (right now SIF Codec works in zero latency mode only)
- Further optimization from pure C and SSE to more advanced structures
- Encoder and decoder GPU implementation. Parallelization.

Some technical details:

The main encoding mode of the SIF Codec is the coding with a fix level of visual quality. It is CRF mode analogue, but implemented by new independent methods.

Quality level key: --viz_dist=<arg>
Its values:
0 - loseless mode
<30 - “almost loseless” mode
40 - high level of quality
<70 - acceptable level of quality.

Console encoder (both Win and Linux) input formats: raw file (with or without title).
Windows console encoder can also process AviSynth scripts, including 10 bits and 16 bits input formats. Console encoders can save compressed data to AVI container or in RAW format.

[benwaggoner]

It sounds interesting! Is there any documentation on subjective quality results? Any sense of how far out it is from a practical implementation? Any market segments it is targeted for?

[BlackQQQ]

Originally Posted by benwaggoner

It sounds interesting! Is there any documentation on subjective quality results? Any sense of how far out it is from a practical implementation? Any market segments it is targeted for?

We are participating in all last international tests for codecs organized by Vatolin MSU group. I would be happy to share our latest results, both subjective and objective.

We have started a few partnership projects already. Main niches are:
- sport broadcasting (hi-res, real time)
- cloud gaming (zero latency, real time)
- drones (broadcasting from events, industrial surveillance)

[benwaggoner]

This sounds very interesting. Is the long-term goal to make this into a commercial proprietary codec, contribute technologies for AV2/H.267, the basis of a new codec standard, or what?

[Neiromaster]

This uses a completely different basic compression scheme and architecture than MPEG-based codecs.
Therefore, direct integration of this technology into the H26X line is almost impossible.
It is possible that some MPEG technologies can be adapted for SIFX codecs.
This can increase to AV1++, but requires significant investment in technology and RD. Within a few years, this can still be greatly improved.
However, the current development goal is to obtain a codec better than the basic EVC profile in terms of computational complexity/efficiency.

[BlackQQQ]

Originally Posted by benwaggoner

This sounds very interesting. Is the long-term goal to make this into a commercial proprietary codec, contribute technologies for AV2/H.267, the basis of a new codec standard, or what?

We believe that for certain niches like mentioned before SIF Codec can provide a better alternative on the crossroad of the high resolution and high speed.

Some of those niches (like drones) are close and we don't need to support a big variety of devices and spend a lot of effort for a standardization.

For the broadcasting and gaming it will depend on industry trends. Console gaming may work pretty well without standardization I believe. But a few big partnership will be very helpful for sure.

[soresu]

Probably a stupid question but is it MDCT block based like most modern codecs?