Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mozilla caves, will support H.264 to avoid 'irrelevance']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/mozilla-caves-will-support-h-264-to-avoid-irrelevance/#commentsFirefoxIt looks like Mozilla is ready to throw in the towel in its battle against the patent-laden H.264 video codec. Over the last week or so, the software foundation has struggled publicly with whether or not to support the MPEG-LA-owned format. Now several of Firefox's biggest players have all come out in support of the move and all that's left is to actually bake the appropriate code into the browser. Both chairman Mitchell Baker and CTO Brendan Eich embraced the decision this weekend, however begrudgingly, in blog posts. Both admit that success in the mobile space requires them to abandon the quest to make WebM the standard for streaming video in HTML5. Even with Google's support, at least on the desktop, VP8 was never able to seriously threaten the entrenched and battery-friendly (not to mention, Apple and Microsoft backed) H.264. For more details check out the source links.

Mozilla caves, will support H.264 to avoid 'irrelevance' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeccodecsfirefoxfirefox for androidfirefox for mobileFirefoxForAndroidFirefoxForMobileh.264html5mozillawebmMon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Skype 5.5 uses VP8 for video chats, keeps the WebM love aflame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/skype-5-5-uses-vp8-for-video-chats-keeps-the-webm-love-aflame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/skype-5-5-uses-vp8-for-video-chats-keeps-the-webm-love-aflame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/skype-5-5-uses-vp8-for-video-chats-keeps-the-webm-love-aflame/#comments
Despite forming a coalition with a bevy of companies, Google's radical WebM video libertarianism has yet to take the world by storm -- unless you're talking El Goog's browser or YouTube. Well, Mountain View can breathe a sigh of relief, as Skype -- even after being bought by Microsoft -- has carried through with its earlier support of the open-source standard, bundling it within last week's Windows-only update. One-to-one and group video calls between version 5.5 clients now use WebM's VP8 codec, succeeding its ancestor, On2's VP7. Hey Redmond, who's speaking Esperanto now?

Skype 5.5 uses VP8 for video chats, keeps the WebM love aflame originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>el googElGooggooglegoogle VP8Google webMGoogleVp8GoogleWebmgroup video chatGroupVideoChatmicrosoftskypeSkype 5.5Skype5.5video chatvideo chattingvideo codecvideo codecsVideoChatVideoChattingVideoCodecVideoCodecsVP8VP8 codecVp8CodecwebMwindowsSat, 06 Aug 2011 16:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/coalition-of-companies-creates-webm-community-cross-license-init/#comments When Google unveiled its WebM open source media format and declared it to be the one codec to rule all others, there were those who decried its usefulness and felt that H.264 should inherit the earth. WebM's power converted some of those staunch detractors, and to rally more to the VP8 / Vorbis cause, 17 companies have now formed the WebM Community Cross-License (CCL) initiative by inter-mingling their WebM-related IP resources. The initiative was founded so that all may use El Goog's preferred multimedia codec free from the threat of patent litigation, and the CCL superfriends will welcome more members to bolster their legal might -- but those wishing to join must grant a royalty-free license to any of their patents that cover WebM technology. A passion for streamlining web standards and a willingness to spread the word about WebM couldn't hurt, either -- new formats don't sell themselves, y'know.

Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsercclcodeccross licensecross licensingcross-licensecross-licensingcross-licensing agreementCross-licensingAgreementCrossLicenseCrossLicensingformatgoogleh.264licensemediastandardsvideovideo formatVideoFormatweb browserweb standardsWebBrowserwebmwebm cclWebmCclWebStandardsTue, 26 Apr 2011 05:41:00 EST<![CDATA[YouTube starts transcoding all new uploads to WebM, already has a third of its library ready]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/youtube-starts-transcoding-all-new-uploads-to-webm-already-has/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/youtube-starts-transcoding-all-new-uploads-to-webm-already-has/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/youtube-starts-transcoding-all-new-uploads-to-webm-already-has/#comments Google's resolve to bring WebM video streaming to the masses doesn't seem to have been weakened by a general lack of interest from the rest of the tech world, and the company's announced that each and every new YouTube upload will now be automatically transcoded into a WebM version. Nearly a third of YouTube's archives have already made the transition to the open source format, though if you think that's a small proportion, you should probably know that those 30 percent account for 99 percent of all views on the site. Apparently, we all have a narrower set of interests than we like to believe. So, with all popular vids encoded and every incoming one getting the transcoding treatment, all you really need now is a compatible browser -- Chrome (naturally), Firefox 4, Opera, or IE9 with a plug-in -- and to enroll in YouTube's HTML5 trial linked below to get rolling with WebM playback. Appending "&webm=1" to a search string or a video's URL will also help you ensure you're getting the good stuff.

YouTube starts transcoding all new uploads to WebM, already has a third of its library ready originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>file formatFileFormatformatgooglehtml5onlineonline videoOnlineVideoopen sourceOpenSourcestreamstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideotranscodetranscodingvideovideo formatVideoFormatwebmyoutubeWed, 20 Apr 2011 04:11:00 EST<![CDATA[WebM components for IE9 bring further video compatibility to Windows, end to codec conflict?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/webm-components-for-ie9-bring-further-video-compatibility-to-win/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/webm-components-for-ie9-bring-further-video-compatibility-to-win/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/webm-components-for-ie9-bring-further-video-compatibility-to-win/#comments
We've been reporting on the drama over Google's WebM ever since Microsoft compared the video format to Esperanto earlier this year, but despite a war of words, Google and Microsoft seem to be playing nice as of late. What originally appeared to be a mere WebM plug-in for IE9, has turned out to be a full set of components for the Microsoft Media Foundation (MF) API, which means even more compatibility within Windows. Because the components are installed directly to the operating system, you'll be able to watch WebM videos in other programs that support MF, such as Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 7. We suppose this could be the signal for some sort of a truce over disputed video formats, but, really, what's the fun in that?

WebM components for IE9 bring further video compatibility to Windows, end to codec conflict? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apibrowserbrowserscodecodeccomponentcomponentsGoogleIe9Rcinternet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9media playerMediaPlayerMFMicrosoftMicrosoft Media FoundationMicrosoftMediaFoundationplug-inpreviewvideovideo formatVideoFormatWebMWebM componentsWebmComponentswindowswindows media playerWindowsMediaPlayerFri, 18 Mar 2011 00:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Internet Explorer 9 gets WebM support with 'preview' plug-in from Google, internet video gets more friendly]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-gets-webm-support-with-preview-plug-in-fro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-gets-webm-support-with-preview-plug-in-fro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/internet-explorer-9-gets-webm-support-with-preview-plug-in-fro/#comments Google has released an early WebM plug-in for Microsoft's latest and greatest browser, IE9 -- stepping in to fill a gap that Microsoft itself refused to fill. You may remember the firm's decision to not build in support for the new standard natively, but that it was "all in" with HTML5, WebM's close cousin. Billed as a "technology preview" at this stage of the game, the add-on will enable users to play all WebM video content just like the good Internet overlords intended them to, despite the fact that an additional download is needed. Microsoft said that it would allow for support and it appears to be following up on its word, regardless of other harsher comments made separately. Isn't it good to see big companies getting along? Now if only these same niceties played out in the mobile landscape, then we'd really be getting somewhere.

[Thanks, ChrisSsk]

Internet Explorer 9 gets WebM support with 'preview' plug-in from Google, internet video gets more friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowserscodedownloadfreegoogleieie9internet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9microsoftonline videoOnlineVideoplug-inplug-inspluginpluginsstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideoVP8web videowebmWebVideoTue, 15 Mar 2011 19:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Android 2.3.3 gives you another reason to want it: WebM support]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/android-2-3-3-gives-you-another-reason-to-want-it-webm-support/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/android-2-3-3-gives-you-another-reason-to-want-it-webm-support/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/android-2-3-3-gives-you-another-reason-to-want-it-webm-support/#comments Our first indication of a delivery date for the Gingerbread iteration of Android came way back in May when we were perusing the FAQ to Google's then newly announced WebM video format. There should be no expressions of shock, therefore, to hear that WebM support has indeed been added into Google's mobile OS, with the lowest compatible version being today's freshly introduced Android 2.3.3. Google has already demonstrated its intention to brute-force this format into our lives, which we'll be quite happy to accept just as soon as Gingerbread starts appearing on more devices than its own Nexi.

Android 2.3.3 gives you another reason to want it: WebM support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.3android 2.3.3Android2.3Android2.3.3codeccompatibilityformatgingerbreadgooglesupportupdateupgradevideovideo formatVideoFormatvp8web formatWebFormatwebmWed, 23 Feb 2011 05:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft releases H.264 plug-in for Google Chrome, vows to support WebM video in IE9]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-releases-h-264-plug-in-for-google-chrome-vows-to-supp/#commentsHard to believe that the infamous "fragmentation" term is now being bandied about in the web browser world, but sure enough, it's Microsoft using the term today to describe the brave new realm we're living in. If you'll recall, Google defended its decision to not include H.264 support natively in Chrome, but maintained that WebM plug-ins were coming to Safari and Internet Explorer 9. Today, Microsoft's kinda-sorta returning the favor. Following the outfit's release of a Firefox add-on to bring full H.264 support to Windows machines, the outfit is releasing a plug-in for Chrome (only the Windows version for now) that provides support for H.264. Furthermore, it's committed to supporting third-party WebM video plug-ins; to quote, users "will be able to play WebM video in IE9." It's fairly obvious that Microsoft's taking this golden opportunity to push its browser as one that supports everything (rather than just its own preferred format), but regardless of the motives, we're just happy to see differences put aside and compatibility finding priority.

Microsoft releases H.264 plug-in for Google Chrome, vows to support WebM video in IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserchromefirefoxgoogleGoogle ChromeGoogleChromeh.264htmlhtml5ieie9internetinternet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9mozillasoftwarewebweb browserWebBrowserwebMwindowsWed, 02 Feb 2011 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/16/google-defends-h-264-removal-from-chrome-says-webm-plug-ins-com/#comments Google renewed a heated discussion when it said it was dropping H.264 support from Chrome's HTML5 video tag last week, but it seems the company's ready and willing to push its WebM alternative video format hard -- not only is hardware decoder IP now available for the VP8 codec, but the project team is presently readying WebM plug-ins for Safari and Internet Explorer 9, neither of which include it themselves. As to the little matter of whether any of this is the right move for the web at large, we'll paraphrase what Google had to say for itself: H.264 licenses cost money; Firefox and Opera don't support H.264 either; and big companies like Google are helping the little guy by championing this open alternative. We have to say, the eternal optimist in us is cheering them on. Oh, and the linguist in us, too. Read Google's own words at our source link, and decide for yourself.

Google defends H.264 removal from Chrome, says WebM plug-ins coming to Safari and IE9 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeccodecsFirefoxformat warformat warsFormatWarFormatWarsGoogleH.264IE9internet explorer 9InternetExplorer9licensingMPEG-LAopenopen standardopen standardsOpenStandardOpenStandardsOperaplug-inroyaltiesSafarivideovideo formatvideo formatsVideoFormatVideoFormatsVP8web videoWebMWebVideoSun, 16 Jan 2011 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft mocks Google, likens WebM to failed Esperanto language]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-mocks-google-likens-webm-to-failed-esperanto-language/#commentsIf you fancy yourself a codec nerd then you'll love a tongue-in-cheek piece penned by Tim Sneath, Senior Director of Windows and Web Evangelism at Microsoft. Sneath, posing as the President of the United States of Google, calls for Esperanto (aka, WebM) to replace English (aka, H.264) in order to foster global peace and understanding.
Though English plays an important role in speech today, as our goal is to enable open innovation, its further use as a form of communication in this country will be prohibited and our resources directed towards languages that are untainted by real-world usage.
Brilliantly played following Google's announcement to drop H.264 from Chrome. Esperanto, as you might recall, was the universal second language designed in 1887 to facilitate international communication. Something that never quite worked out judging by the preponderance of English spoken by humans everywhere except Parisian cafes and taxi cabs.

Microsoft mocks Google, likens WebM to failed Esperanto language originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromecodecesperantogoogleh.264h264humormicrosoftmockmockingtim sneathTimSneathwebmThu, 13 Jan 2011 05:33:00 EST<![CDATA[WebM VP8 specs ready for chip companies to start building hardware acceleration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/webm-vp8-specs-ready-for-chip-companies-to-start-building-hardwa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/webm-vp8-specs-ready-for-chip-companies-to-start-building-hardwa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/webm-vp8-specs-ready-for-chip-companies-to-start-building-hardwa/#comments You know how long we've been waiting for Flash video to get decent hardware acceleration? Well, it looks like the Google-backed WebM VP8 codec won't take nearly so long. The WebM hardware development team just pushed out hardware decoder IP for VP8, which will let chip folks build WebM playback into their chipsets -- most of which are currently oriented around accelerating H.Google's-gunning-for it-264 and / or Flash. A VP8 hardware encoder IP will follow later in Q1. There's nothing much more to it: it's the same ol' 720p and 1080p decoding we know and love, which will be possible on mobile devices (and already is with other codecs), but this time it's open, remember?

WebM VP8 specs ready for chip companies to start building hardware acceleration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipsetsdecodergooglehardware accelerationhardware decodingHardwareAccelerationHardwareDecodingvp8webmWed, 12 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/google-will-drop-h-264-support-from-chrome-herd-the-masses-towa/#comments We knew Google was rather fond of its WebM video standard, but we never expected a move like this: the company says it will drop support for the rival H.264 codec in its HTML5 video tag, and is justifying the move in the name of open standards somehow. Considering that H.264 is presently one of (if not the) most widely supported format out there, it sounds a little like Google shooting itself in the foot with a .357 round -- especially considering the MPEG-LA just made H.264 royalty-free as long as it's freely distributed just a few months ago. If that's the case, Chrome users will have to download a H.264 plug-in to play most web video that's not bundled up in Flash... which isn't exactly an open format itself. Or hey, perhaps everyone will magically switch to Chrome, video providers will kowtow, unicorns will gaily prance, and WebM will dominate from now on.

Google will drop H.264 support from Chrome, herd the masses towards WebM and Theora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromechromiumcodeccodecsformatformat warformatsFormatWargoogleh.264h264html5legalmpeg-lastreaming videoStreamingVideotheoravideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingvp8Web videoWebMWebVideoTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:11:00 EST<![CDATA[MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/mpeg-la-makes-h-264-video-royalty-free-forever-as-long-as-its/#commentsThe H.264 codec that makes a good deal of digital video possible has actually been free to use (under certain conditions) for many years, but following recent controversies over the future of web video, rightholders have agreed to extend that freedom in perpetuity. Whereas originally standards organization MPEG-LA had said it wouldn't collect royalties from those freely distributing AVC/H.264 video until 2016, the limitless new timeframe may mean that content providers banking on WebM and HTML5 video won't have an expensive surprise in the years to come. Then again, patent licensing is complicated stuff and we'd hate to get your hopes up -- just know that if you're an end-user uploading H.264 content you own and intend to freely share with the world, you shouldn't expect a collection agency to come knocking on your door. PR after the break.

Continue reading MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed

MPEG-LA makes H.264 video royalty-free forever, as long as it's freely distributed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AVCcodeccodecsformatformat warFormatWarfreeh.264HTML5legallicensingMPEGmpeg laMPEG-4MPEG-LAMpegLapatent licensingPatentLicensingroyaltiesroyalty freeroyalty-freeRoyaltyFreestreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideovideovideo formatvideo formatsvideo streamingVideoFormatVideoFormatsVideoStreamingVP8web videoWebMWebVideoThu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:00 EST<![CDATA[VLC 1.1 released, adds hardware acceleration and new codec support]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/04/vlc-1-1-released-adds-hardware-acceleration-and-new-codec-suppo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/04/vlc-1-1-released-adds-hardware-acceleration-and-new-codec-suppo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/04/vlc-1-1-released-adds-hardware-acceleration-and-new-codec-suppo/#comments VLC 1.1 was just released, adding hardware acceleration on Windows Vista, 7, and Linux (no mention of the Mac just yet), along with a general 40 percent speed boost from a massive code cleanup. A new add-on and script framework now enables extensions, which should lead to some interesting additions, and the VP8 and MEPG-4 lossless codecs have been added, along with container support for MKV HD and Google's open-source WebM format. We just gave it a quick try and things certainly do seem to perform as advertised -- hit the source link for the download.

Filed under:

VLC 1.1 released, adds hardware acceleration and new codec support originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appaudiocodecsdigital mediaDigitalMediahdmedia playermedia playersmkvmkv hdMPEG-4MPEG4musicmusic playbackopen sourceplayersoftwarestreamingvideovideo codecsvideo playbackvideo streamingVLCvlc 1.1VP-8vp8webmSun, 04 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Google: HTML5 is good, Flash is the 'best platform' for YouTube today, WebM is the future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/google-html5-is-good-flash-is-the-best-platform-for-youtube/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/google-html5-is-good-flash-is-the-best-platform-for-youtube/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/google-html5-is-good-flash-is-the-best-platform-for-youtube/#comments We can't say there's a ton of surprises here, but, if you're curious to know exactly where Google stands on the whole HTML5 / Flash debate, the company has now laid out its position in a post on its official YouTube API Blog. The short of it is that while Google says it has been "excited" about HTML5 for some time now and that the <video> tag is a "big step forward for open standards," it says that Flash will continue to play a "critical role in video distribution," and that it remains the "best platform" for YouTube's requirements today. Of course, Google also didn't let slip the opportunity to once again talk up the recently-announced WebM video standard, which it says is the open video format the web has been waiting for. It isn't saying, however, that it will replace Flash for video, and notes that Adobe itself has committed to supporting VP8, the video codec for WebM. Hit up the link below to read the company's complete argument for yourself.

Google: HTML5 is good, Flash is the 'best platform' for YouTube today, WebM is the future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flashgooglehtml5videoweb videowebmWebVideoyoutubeWed, 30 Jun 2010 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Mozilla bundles WebM support into nightly Firefox builds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/mozilla-bundles-webm-support-into-nightly-firefox-builds/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/mozilla-bundles-webm-support-into-nightly-firefox-builds/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/mozilla-bundles-webm-support-into-nightly-firefox-builds/#comments Google's new web video standard seems to be gathering a bit of momentum, as today Firefox is following in the ultrafast steps of Chrome by offering built-in support for WebM video. Bugs are still being worked out, but the fundamentals are there, and we'll hopefully see all kinks ironed out in time for the release of Firefox 4 Beta, which is expected to land later this month. This is now the third big browser to announce compatibility, with Microsoft already promising it for IE 9, provided users download the necessary VP8 codec first. The HTML5-obsessed Apple hasn't yet decided which way it's going with the standard while Opera is presumably busy figuring out how to parody the whole thing in video form.

Mozilla bundles WebM support into nightly Firefox builds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowserscodecfirefoxformatgplieie 9Ie9internet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9mozillamozilla firefoxMozillaFirefoxstandardssupportvideovideo formatVideoFormatvp8web browserweb browsersweb standardsWebBrowserWebBrowserswebmWebStandardsThu, 10 Jun 2010 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel mulling WebM hardware acceleration in Atom CE4100 chip]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/intel-mulling-webm-hardware-acceleration-in-atom-ce4100-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/intel-mulling-webm-hardware-acceleration-in-atom-ce4100-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/intel-mulling-webm-hardware-acceleration-in-atom-ce4100-chip/#commentsHey Google, shall we try the other box? Maybe it has hardware acceleration built in for your new WebM video format? Intel's Wilfred Martis has told IDG News that his company is keeping a close eye on Google's new VP8-based format, and should it prove popular enough, hardware acceleration for it will be built into the CE4100 and other Atom chips headed to TVs and overpowered cable boxes in the future:
Just like we did with other codecs like MPEG2, H.264 & VC1, if VP8 establishes itself in the Smart TV space, we will add it to our [hardware] decoders.
Not exactly astonishing news, as Google TV is still likely to proceed on those chips with WebM getting decoded by software in the mean time, but at least Intel's absenteeism from the WebM hardware partner list can now be explained as simple precaution, rather than some deeper division between the companies.

Intel mulling WebM hardware acceleration in Atom CE4100 chip originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomAtom CE4100AtomCe4100codecdecodingformatgoogle tvgoogle webmGoogleTvGoogleWebmhardware accelerationhardware decodinghardware supportHardwareAccelerationHardwareDecodingHardwareSupportintelintel atomIntelAtomprocessingprocessorssupportvp8webmwilfred martisWilfredMartisFri, 28 May 2010 06:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's WebM video format might not be so free after all, says MPEG-LA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/googles-webm-video-format-might-not-be-so-free-after-all-says/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/googles-webm-video-format-might-not-be-so-free-after-all-says/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/googles-webm-video-format-might-not-be-so-free-after-all-says/#comments Google might be trying to shake up video on the web by releasing the WebM video format and VP8 codec under a royalty-free open-source license, but we've already heard the format's uncomfortably close relationship to H.264 might cause some patent concerns, and the MPEG-LA, which licenses the H.264 patents, doesn't seem to be sitting still. CEO Larry Horn told All Things Digital that MPEG-LA is looking into forming a patent pool in order to license vendors who want stay clear of any patent disputes while using WebM -- the idea would be to avoid any patent liability down the road by simply paying for a license now, especially since Google doesn't seem to be promising anything when it comes to protection from lawsuits. We'd wager all this means WebM will go from royalty-free to patent-encumbered just as soon as MPEG-LA gets its paperwork in order -- the same thing essentially happened to Microsoft when it tried to release the VC-1 format royalty-free -- and that means video on the web might soon be right back where it started. We'll see what happens.

Google's WebM video format might not be so free after all, says MPEG-LA originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 May 2010 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlelarry hornLarryHornlegallicenselicensingmpeg lampeg-laMpegLapatentpatentsvp8webmFri, 21 May 2010 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Android Gingerbread is 'planned for Q4 2010']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/android-gingerbread-is-planned-for-q4-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/android-gingerbread-is-planned-for-q4-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/android-gingerbread-is-planned-for-q4-2010/#comments While we're all busy laboring in the shadow of Android 2.2's impending release, here's Google's sneaky first indication of the next version's release. In the FAQ for its newly announced WebM format, the Mountain View team tells us that Android support will come in the Gingerbread iteration, which is "currently planned for Q4, 2010." We still don't know the particular point version of the latest tasty treat, but at least there's finally something to put on the feature list and a date (range) to look forward to.

Android Gingerbread is 'planned for Q4 2010' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 May 2010 06:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid gingerbreadandroid osAndroidGingerbreadAndroidOsgingerbreadgoogleiterationmobile osMobileOsplansroadmapscheduleversionwebmThu, 20 May 2010 06:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Google launches open WebM web video format based on VP8 (update: hardware partners and Microsoft statement)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/google-launches-open-webm-web-video-format-based-on-vp8/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/google-launches-open-webm-web-video-format-based-on-vp8/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/google-launches-open-webm-web-video-format-based-on-vp8/#comments Google's plan to open-source the VP8 video codec it acquired when it purchased a company called On2 hasn't exactly been a secret, and the company's finally made it official today as part of a new format called WebM. The WebM container is based on Matroska, with VP8 video and Ogg Vorbis audio streams packed inside -- Google says the format is efficient enough to support playback on lower-power devices like netbooks, tablets, and handhelds, while the encoding profiles are simple enough to limit complexity when you're trying to create WebM files. WebM is open-sourced and licensed royalty-free under a BSD-style license, so all those H.264 patent licensing concerns shouldn't be an issue -- and as you'd expect, Mozilla is supporting WebM right off the bat, with support in Firefox nightly builds as of today. Chromium nightlies will also support WebM as of today, with Chrome early access builds getting support on May 24 -- and Opera is listed as "coming soon."

Google's also going to be supporting the format as an option for YouTube playback, so that should drive adoption in a big way -- if you're running these latest Firefox or Chromium nightlies you can actually try it out now. The big question, of course, is whether Apple and Microsoft will roll WebM support into Safari and IE and onto their mobile platforms. We'll see -- Google definitely has the ability to push a format into the mainstream.

Update: Industry support announced at I/O -- including Adobe, who'll be rolling VP8 support into Flash Player. Take note of the hardware partners, though: AMD, ARM, Broadcom, Freescale, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and TI, among others. Missing in action? Intel.

Update 2: The always-reliable Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet says she's heard Microsoft will be supporting WebM in IE9. That's a big deal if it's true, but we'll have to wait for confirmation -- IE9 isn't due out for a year, so a lot can change in the meantime. Fingers crossed.

Update 3: Microsoft's made an official statement on its blog -- while the company is "all in" with HTML5, IE9 will only come with H.264 installed be default due to technical and IP concerns. HTML5 / VP8 playback will be supported, but users will have to download and install the codec separately, which doesn't bode well for widespread adoption. Here's the money quote:
In its HTML5 support, IE9 will support playback of H.264 video as well as VP8 video when the user has installed a VP8 codec on Windows.
[Thanks, Sean]

Continue reading Google launches open WebM web video format based on VP8 (update: hardware partners and Microsoft statement)

Google launches open WebM web video format based on VP8 (update: hardware partners and Microsoft statement) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscodecgooglegoogle iogoogle io 2010GoogleIoGoogleIo2010on2open sourceOpenSourcevideovideo codecVideoCodecvp8webmWed, 19 May 2010 12:22:00 EST