MPEG-2 also is the video standard adopted by Hollywood for DVDs. MPEG-4 is a successor to MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, technologies that are instrumental for delivering digital broadcast transmissions over cable, satellite and the Web.
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Windows Media 9 uses proprietary codecs-or formulas for compression and decompression of files-for delivering streaming audio and video content over the Web, while Apple is supporting open-standard MPEG-4.
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This week, could be a move by the software titan to steal some thunder from Macworld, say analysts. The timing of Microsoft's announcement, and others planned for
It's just those companies that have a pay-per-view model built into their business model that would actually have to talk to MPEG LA."Īpple's QuickTime announcement comes the same day that Microsoft said the beta version of Windows Media 9 Series, a competitor to QuickTime 6, would enter its test phase on Sept. "Therefore, MPEG-4 streaming will largely be free. "If you don't charge for your content, you don't pay anything at all," he said. "A couple of things that have transpired the last few months include their consideration of thresholds under which people don't pay, caps under which people don't pay and a more clear definition in-between those folks who normally would pay," Casanova said. Frankly, I don't think everything will be solved in the first release of the licensing terms."Īn MPEG LA spokesman on Monday said the group was ready to announce the terms of a final MPEG-4 licensing arrangement. "MPEG-4 doesn't exist in a vacuum-it has to be economically feasible too. But if Web sites are forced to pay per-use stream fees, its adoption could easily be hampered.
The format, he said, was created for use in multiple markets, and much like the MP3 standard for listening to music files, MPEG-4 needs to be adopted on the Internet to ensure its eventual spread to consumer electronics devices, mobile gadgets and video-on-demand services. If not, it will be a serious impediment," Koenen said. "If the terms are acceptable for the markets, MPEG-4 will take off big time.
Rob Koenen, president of the MPEG Requirements Group, said that MPEG LA has had to reconsider per-use fees because of the threat of the technology dying on the vine. "They're primed to release a set of terms that the industry would find more reasonable." "We've made a lot of progress as an industry working with MPEG LA, moving them considerably from where they were six months ago," said Frank Casanova, Apple's director of QuickTime product marketing. MPEG LA wanted to charge per user for streaming, which would have been costly for Apple and other MPEG-4 licensees, particularly given that Microsoft planned to charge for its upcoming Windows Media 9. Apple previewed QuickTime 6 in February, but initially held back release because of the licensing problems. That would make the keynote the first major event streamed in MPEG-4 format over the Web.įor certain, the keynote address would be available in QuickTime format for users of version 5.Īpple's release of QuickTime 6 came just hours before the resolution of a licensing scuffle with MPEG LA, the group of patent holders governing the technology, has been resolved.
The company also is considering serving up CEO Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote address on Wednesday in MPEG-4 format, which could be viewed using QuickTime 6. Apple Computer released the final version of its QuickTime 6 digital media software on Monday, marking a stand-down in a dispute over licensing fees.
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