[M4IF Discuss] (no subject)

[William J. Fulco]

Yup. In my analyst-role I got an early briefed on blue-light laser
technology from one of the big CE companies. Very impressive - with MPEG-4,
very useless (a little unfair I grant). It's really clear to me that HDTV
DVDs are best accomplished by MPEG-4 (or something else) and today's
replication infrastructure - not blue light. Also, most of the CE companies
are now talking about broadband-connected DVD players, PVRs and such - these
will be multi-algorithm devices. Don't underestimate how quickly MPEG-4
applications for such devices that involved packaged-media happen if those
machines gain several million units in short order. MPEG-2 for legacy for
ever :-)
++Bill
---------------------------------
William J. Fulco
wjf   NetworkXXIII.com
310-927-4263 (Cell)
> I doubt that this was a significant motivation. With the huge
> installed base of MPEG-2 DVD players any change in the format would
> be devastating. It will be MPEG-2 for years...
>
> The main possible exception is HDTV. Here, it may be possible to get
> stores to stock titles in a second format. If MPEG-4 is used for
> coding HDTV then there might be an opportunity for it to get a foot
> in the door.
>
> I have speculated that the MPEG-LA licensors decided to go for usage
> fees for streaming applications where money is already changing
> hands, especially choke points that are easy to control.
>
> Hence:
>
> Any VOD service would be easy picking
>
> Any streaming media hosting service would be easy picking (e.g.
> Akamai, Digital island, etc)
>
> Any subscription streaming media service would be easy picking (e.g. Real)
>
> And any disc replication service would be easy picking (keep in mind
> that CD-ROM is a very strong candidate for MPEG-4 content, not just
> DVD).
>
> We shall see what happens...
> --
> Regards
> Craig Birkmaier
> Pcube Labs
>