Codec Nazi's Rejoice:VC-1 is in Da HizZouse!

[BTBuck1]

Found this over on Hometheatrespot.com, figured i'd post over here!

I usually just post this kind of information in the HD DVD/BD forum, right below the DVD forum here. But for those that don't read down that far (hint, hint), Warner just confirmed for me that of their second wave of BD titles, Full Metal Jacket will be the only one that uses MPEG2. Lethal Weapon, Blazing Saddles, and Firewall will all be encoded using VC1.

Original Link

[shido]

This is great news, but there is only one problem - how long will it take before other studios begin following Warner's lead? I'm seriously wondering what Sony will do, as they're the ones who decided to back Mpeg2 so vehemently.

[Applefiend]

Jah Vol! *clicks heels*

Screw MPEG2, frankly...

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by shido

This is great news, but there is only one problem - how long will it take before other studios begin following Warner's lead? I'm seriously wondering what Sony will do, as they're the ones who decided to back Mpeg2 so vehemently.

I seriously doubt Sony will use VC-1 as Microsoft is the primary patent holder on that technology. I would expect Sony to go the H.264 route.

But only time will tell.

[JTK]

I've said this a million times but I'll say it again here:

This is a smart move because it takes away any of your space problems. BD doesn't HAVE to rush out BD50's if they start using more efficient codecs.

If Sony really can't stand to go VC-1, then they should go to H.264/AVC/MPEG4. Pick one or the other and move forward.

On that same note, it still doesn't matter a hill of beans one way or the other if your master/source material is suspect to begin with.

Good news here, though.

[AV_Integrated]

I think perhaps the biggest thing about all this is that WB, making movies for both formats, will finally have near identical results for both. It is lousy that HD-DVD discs look better than Blu-ray discs coming from the same company and the same masters. This will really give people more of an opportunity to see how the Samsung compares to the Toshiba.

Right now, the reviews have been all screwy because they try to compare the players when the movies aren't the same... and then most reviews go on to complain about Blu-ray as a format in general (poor journalism typically).

Until BD50 is out, EVERYONE needs advanced codecs right away.

[ProvenFlipper]

I can't wait for Firewall now... Is this going to be the first reference title? I was hoping that the new Warner titles were going to be VC-1. I also hope this means that Paramount and Disney are going to be VC-1 exclusive. The best is yet to come and I hope that BD has a great 4th quarter.

[Chad Varnadore]

Joe Kane has already indicated that Disney will use VC1 out of the gate. I'll be surprised if Paramount doesn't as well. From a practical stand point it just makes more sense for them to make the HD DVDs and BDs as similar as possible - it's more efficient.

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by JTK

I've said this a million times but I'll say it again here:
This is a smart move because it takes away any of your space problems. BD doesn't HAVE to rush out BD50's if they start using more efficient codecs.

I think BD camp still has to get their act together and get DL BD ROMs out ASAP. Otherwise what's the point? Get SL BD with VC-1 when DL HD DVDs are already out there with VC-1 codec and players are twice as cheap?
Basically we pay twice as much for 5gb less disc using the same codec. Well, at least that's beter than MPEG2 + PCM but still, doesn't justify the double price.
Real frustrating.
And, in the end even VC-1 wont' take away space problems (at least w/o sacrificing PQ) for longer movies.

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by Chad Varnadore

From a practical stand point it just makes more sense for them to make the HD DVDs and BDs as similar as possible - it's more efficient.

Donno about them my friend, but I personally support BD because I hope and believe it is BETTER. Otherwise I have no reason to pay twice the price for the "similar" products, and neither do you

[marzetta7]

Umm, all this talk about VC-1, granted is good that most studios will be going to a more advanced codec than MPEG2, but I'm seeing everyone talk about all the next releases with only VC-1 in mind, and leaving H.264/MPEG4 in the dark.

If this is the case--that indeed all studios will be using VC-1 for releases--as much of you make it sound, then wow Microsoft certainly won't go home empty handed in this format war.

Is there a reason H.264/MPEG4 will be less utilized than VC-1 as most of you make it seem?

Moreover can we get a link where Joe Kane states that VC-1 will be used and preferred over let's say MPEG4?

[BTBuck1]

VC-! has proven it's worth more so than mpeg4 thus far.

[ProvenFlipper]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Is there a reason H.264/MPEG4 will be less utilized than VC-1 as most of you make it seem?

From what I've read so far, MPEG4 H.264 is a newer and more advanced codec. Which means that it may take awile for people to gain the experience needed to fully take advantage of the codec and begin to implement it well.

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Moreover can we get a link where Joe Kane states that VC-1 will be used and preferred over let's say MPEG4?

Indeed.

I have seen more pointers indicating Disney was aiming for H.264.

The first time I heard this I was horrified (!) cos it was so new and there was very little in the way of good encodes around. After seeing the Cars trailer in H.264 I say bring it on. It is one of the best encodes I have seen, and even under close scrutiny it holds up very well.

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by Zvi

Donno about them my friend, but I personally support BD because I hope and believe it is BETTER. Otherwise I have no reason to pay twice the price for the "similar" products, and neither do you

The issue for me of BD versus HD DVD is with regard to the epics. While many of the older epics (The Robe, Ten Commandments, etc.) have intermissions which will create the perfect place to switch disks if everything in the 4+ hour movie won't fit on one disk, many of the newer ultra long movies don't have an intermission (e.g., all three LOTR movies). I don't want to have to sacrifice either quality or splitting over multiple disks on those long movies.

Since I have read no where any details that supports the concept that 4+ hour movies can fit onto 30GB or less with decent sound and video quality at 1080p and lossless audio I certainly hope the Blu-ray Disk group gets the 50GB disks out soon with either VC-1 or H.264. Then maybe 100% of these ultralong movies will fit on a single disk.

(And for those who try to point to 45GB HD DVD disks... those are no futher along than 100 GB Blu-ray Disks. Both are purely laboratory demonstrations at this point. Neither may materialize as consumer items.)

[Longshot]

Originally Posted by Brian@BBY

Found this over on Hometheatrespot.com, figured i'd post over here!


Original Link

"Codec Nazi's" That's hilarious. No MPEG2 for you!

[ProvenFlipper]

Now that it has been confirmed that Warner is using VC-1 encodes, hopefully Warner will continue the trend of releasing a few catalog titles at the beginning of each month. I can't wait to see what October brings us.

I also hope that now since they are able to master their BD titles in VC-1, that they release the catalog titles on BD and HD-DVD on the same day.

[vick vega]

So is The Matrix already done in mpeg2 or will it be in vc-1?

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by vick vega

So is The Matrix already done in mpeg2 or will it be in vc-1?

There has been no sign of that being released in either format that I have seen (other than promos and box covers at CES). I imagine it will be a 'big deal' in both formats and they will be sure that it is all cool and interactive and stuff...

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

From what I've read so far, MPEG4 H.264 is a newer and more advanced codec. Which means that it may take awile for people to gain the experience needed to fully take advantage of the codec and begin to implement it well.

So could Apple be the "key partner announcement" unveiling software tools for H.264/MPEG4 encodes? HMMM? Speculation, yes, but fun to think about nonetheless.