Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I don't think you need a poll!

It would surprise me if SPE ever used VC-1 though, with the amount of IP Sony has in AVC and considering Sony's own encoding solution are all AVC based...

Wouldn't make sense to use VC-1, definitely not for SPE anyhow.

Max, you’ve been absent for awhile.
I wasn’t referring to SPHE switching video codecs.
This is the parameters of the poll I had in mind………..

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...ir#post2162642

[4K2K]

Isn't AVC the 'standard' for most things nowadays? And haven't they stopped development on VC1 but they're still developing/improving AVC encoders?

If there was going to be a poll, couldn't someone independent encode video sequences using both codecs at various bitrates and have people vote for which they thought were the best quality, without telling people which codec was used for which clip?

[Jeff Kleist]

Many players will identify which codec is being used, and the clips cannot be played unless you run it on PC Blu software or burn it to a BD-R.

VC_1 has stopped development yes

[Cinema Squid]

Originally Posted by 4K2K

Isn't AVC the 'standard' for most things nowadays? And haven't they stopped development on VC1 but they're still developing/improving AVC encoders?

For their streaming solution, Netflix uses VC-1 for HD in the Silverlight player:
http://blog.netflix.com/2008/11/enco...streaming.html

I am not mistaken, a new version of VC-1 with tweaks for streaming was also introduced at NAB earlier this year. To say that development on the codec has stopped does not seem to be accurate, just that the focus has shifted to improving very low bitrate HD encodes.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I'll leave that for Jeff!

Jeff?

[Jeff Kleist]

For their streaming solution, Netflix uses VC-1 for HD in the Silverlight player:
http://blog.netflix.com/2008/11/enco...streaming.html

I am not mistaken, a new version of VC-1 with tweaks for streaming was also introduced at NAB earlier this year. To say that development on the codec has stopped does not seem to be accurate, just that the focus has shifted to improving very low bitrate HD encodes.

The focus of VC-1 was always "how low can you go". Remember amir crowing about how they got Troy down to DVD bitrates (It looked like garbage, but they did it). While Silverlight is still undergoing development, and VC-1 is part of that package, the encoder used for Blu-ray is not being developed any more.

As far as WB and AVC, reply hazy, ask again later

[MerrickG]

What is Silverlight?

[DenonCI]

Jeff,

I've been watching "30 Rock" via Netflix streaming (HD feed), and the VC-1 delivery is very good. Not Blu-ray good, but much better than DVD.

Also, have you downloaded the trailer for "LOTR" via Warner's BD-Live? It's a 720p VC-1 encode with a bitrate in the 5-7 MBPS range and looks pretty good (although faces are VERY waxy, which scares me a bit for the Blu-ray release).

I would personally never watch a movie via Netflix streaming, but for casual viewing of TV shows, I think it works great (even though it's stereo).

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by merrick97

What is Silverlight?

A Flash alternative under development by Microsoft.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

A Flash alternative under development by Microsoft.

AKA redundant and problematic proprietary junk that the market (rightly) doesn't really want to touch.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

Jeff,

I've been watching "30 Rock" via Netflix streaming (HD feed), and the VC-1 delivery is very good. Not Blu-ray good, but much better than DVD.

Also, have you downloaded the trailer for "LOTR" via Warner's BD-Live? It's a 720p VC-1 encode with a bitrate in the 5-7 MBPS range and looks pretty good (although faces are VERY waxy, which scares me a bit for the Blu-ray release).

I would personally never watch a movie via Netflix streaming, but for casual viewing of TV shows, I think it works great (even though it's stereo).

Well, it has been reported that we can expect the upcoming LotR films to have the usual DNR. Another reason I wont be picking them up. Im sure I would if it was of course the EEs.

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Well, it has been reported that we can expect the upcoming LotR films to have the usual DNR. Another reason I wont be picking them up. Im sure I would if it was of course the EEs.

Typical Warner. At least they'll look better than the DVDs.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

AKA redundant and problematic proprietary junk that the market (rightly) doesn't really want to touch.

C'mon, Flash isn't that bad...well maybe it is.

[Jeff Kleist]

lso, have you downloaded the trailer for "LOTR" via Warner's BD-Live? It's a 720p VC-1 encode with a bitrate in the 5-7 MBPS range and looks pretty good (although faces are VERY waxy, which scares me a bit for the Blu-ray release).

Yeah, I've seen it, was likewise not impressed

However, that trailer could have been cut a long time ago with the previous masters. The Blu-ray retransfer was somewhere around March/April.

Needless to say, I'm ready to be unimpressed. On the upside, there's a whole year to ***** about them and get it changed around for the versions everyone actually wants

[DenonCI]

I don't mind the theatrical cuts, although the first 15 minutes of Fellowship is much better in the extended edition, especially for viewers who aren't aware of what a hobbit is.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Yeah, I've seen it, was likewise not impressed

However, that trailer could have been cut a long time ago with the previous masters. The Blu-ray retransfer was somewhere around March/April.

Needless to say, I'm ready to be unimpressed. On the upside, there's a whole year to ***** about them and get it changed around for the versions everyone actually wants

Amen Brother!! Non DNR EE's works for me!! Id LOVE to have the movies in cases similar to dvd EEs albeit smaller for bluray.

Keep on a *****in!!

[Cinema Squid]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The focus of VC-1 was always "how low can you go".

Obviously, not particularly significant for HD optical media at this point, but an interesting theoretical problem and something that has potentially great significance for streaming HD media at single-digit Mbps bitrates (which like it or not is a very important thing).

The Microsoft WMV/VC-1 media platform delivered through the Silverlight player is particularly attractive because of its relative quality per bit with simply integrated and relatively secure DRM. Maybe not completely relevant to Blu-ray outside of potential managed and digital copy solutions, however I don't think it's something you should let slip off your radar.

With that being said, I'd rather see every BD title using AVC.

[Jeff Kleist]

It's not off the radar, but we're not looking at streaming services, and honestly, those ultra-low bitrate VC-1s like Netflix or Xbox Live uses aren't really that much better than DVD quality. Check out anything other than a closeup, and it turns to a blurry blocky mess. Better than the 480 stuff? Sure. But nothing you want to run on a screen of any real size for anything other than casual off the cuff viewing

I compared the BLu-ray to my Xbox Live download of ST:TOS I did awhile ago. It was horrible in comparison

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

The Blu-ray retransfer was somewhere around March/April.

That's not too long ago and I know Warner has heard an earful about DNR, so maybe there is some hope it will be decent?

[Jeff Kleist]

I wouldn't hold your breath

Just be glad it wasn't New Line. I've heard some horror stories about their attempts