VideoEncoding
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USB-IF releases extensions to USB video class 1.1, offloading compression is a go
For those unaware, a USB video class describes a device that's capable of streaming video -- you know, things like webcams, camcorders, TV tuners and even still-image cameras. For the longest time, you needed to rely on your machine to do the grunt work associated with encoding video, but new extensions to the USB video class 1.1 have enabled those very devices to support H.264. In other words, H.264 encoding can now be offloaded to the device itself, and furthermore, the compression provides more bandwidth for additional USB devices. We're told that the H.264 Payload specification is compatible with drivers based upon the USB-IF's UVC 1.0 and 1.1 specifications and relies on proper support of the MJPG and/or Stream Based payload format, and if you're an engineer looking to integrate, the goods you need are stocked away in the source link below.
Sixteen new Apple patents, from CoverFlow to iDVD
The USPTO published a whole slew of new patent applications from Apple today, covering everything from iChat to some CoverFlow animation. Patently Apple has the whole writeup as usual. Probably the most interesting thing among them is a "virtual keyboard for media players" that uses a modified QWERTY keyboard, with more than one letter on each key. That doesn't seem like an idea that Apple will ever use, but maybe that was one of the prototypes that was originally being worked on for the iPhone. There are also some more technical patents for iChat video encoding and error adjustments on touchscreens, as well as overall patents for the MacBook Air SuperDrive and iDVD. It seems like the USPTO is just cleaning out Apple's old patents -- most of these were filed back in 2007. Now, maybe they can set the legal patent team up on newer accomplishments.
Ask Engadget HD: Best video encoding process to maximize quality & compatibility?
One of the more time consuming aspects of getting all our digital media in one place is ensuring quality and compatibility across different devices, which sounds like exactly the problem faced by our friend Kris: "To save my precious DVD's and BD's from the horror of scratches, I encode all my videos to a networked PC. This PC then streams the video out to multiple different receivers (PS3, PCs, Xbox 360.) Usually what works on one may not work in another, or does not encode surround sound, or has some other quibble. Currently I'm using Tversity to pick up the slack, but it doesn't work 100% with every video type i have. (for example on some files the PS3 will not play the file at normal speed [too slow/too fast]) I do all my encoding on a Core I7 920 equipped box, and filesize is not a concern of mine. Any recommendations on a batch encoder/settings that can take care of my compatibility problems and still retain near full quality?" It sounds simple enough, but finding that silver bullet of software, hardware and settings that lets you just press "play" and know the file will come through in full quality no matter where it came from or is being streamed to can be one of the trickiest parts of all. Let us know what solutions you've figured out. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
SpursEngine-based Winfast HPVC1100 video encoder hits Japan this month
Intrigued by the thought of some SpursEngine-powered video encoding promised by the Leadtek Winfast HPVC1100 external video encoder that first cropped up way back in May? Then it looks like you're now in luck -- if you live in Japan, that is. According to Akihabara News, the device will finally be hitting store shelves in the country sometime this month, and set you back a somewhat hefty ¥40,000, or about $430 -- although we're sure that's more than acceptable for some folks looking to save some time in the field. Still no word on a release 'round here, unfortunately, although that should be a fairly solid bet if the company's WinFast PxVC1100 PCI-E card is any indication.
Fixstars CE-10 encoder puts Playstation 3 to work on h.264 video
Maybe you don't do enough video conversion to make copping a dedicated SpursEngine card a good investment, but that doesn't mean you can't put the Cell processor in your PlayStation 3 to work in between sessions of Killzone 2, (not like it's busy curing cancer or anything.) Fixstars' CE-10 encoder doesn't exactly fit the "Cell Storage" pie in the sky promises of yesterday, but by installing it on a PC it lets users tap into the PS3's number crunching power to achieve professional encoding quality. No word on what an "affordable prosumer price" is, but if ultra fast HD encoding is something you'd be interested in -- those 1080p vids won't compress themselves -- stop by the Broadcast International booth at NAB next week for an early preview before the software launches in June.
Leadtek intros SpursEngine-packing PCI-E card
Well, it looks like Toshiba isn't just keeping its Cell-based SpursEngine chip confined to its laptops and super-resolution DVD players, as Leadtek has now also taken the wraps off a PCI-E card that'll let you add some of that "faster than real-time" HD video transcoding to your desktop PC. Dubbed the WinFast PxVC1100, the card promises to encode and decode H.264, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video with ease (and entirely in hardware), and it includes 128MB of 1.6GHz XDR memory to aid in the process. Just don't expect it to come cheap, as the card's apparently set to demand ¥30,000 (or $286) when it hits Japan later this month.[Via Custom PC]
VisualHub updated
VisualHub, the terrific video encoder, has just been updated. The update brings support for multi-processor Macs (both G5 and Intel flavors), as well as an increase in scaling quality on Intel Macs. A few other fixes have been included in this release.If you're doing video on a Mac (perhaps for a video podcast) you owe it to yourself to check out VisualHub. It'll be the best $23.32 you have ever spent.
