[M4IF Discuss] Call for MPEG-4 Encoders - Robert X. Cringely project

[Ben Waggoner]

Everybody,
    Okay, I've got a Big Deal to announce.  Robert X. Cringely, computer
industry journalist and broadcaster extraordinaire, is launching a new
internet talk show, NerdTV, using MPEG-4 technology.
    Anyone familiar with Bob's past PBS series like "The Triumph of the
Nerds" and his seminal book "Accidental Empires" knows this is a big deal.
Here are some past columns from him describing this project, in
chronological order:
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020321.html
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020328.html
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020912.html
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020704.html
    I've been consulting with him on the media delivery technologies part of
the project, and we've decided that it's progressive download MPEG-4 all the
way for the video part.  Users will even be welcome to download and edit the
camera sources, and edit together their own versions!
    All going well, this will be the first really big public use of MPEG-4,
and while we picked the technology on its own merits, it's my hope that this
can help jump start the industry some in the video-playing-on-computers
market.
    The next phase of the project is to pick the right encoder, hence this
email.  We're doing an open call for encoders for evaluation for this
project.  Since I've got relationships with a number of vendors, I'm going
to do all the testing, but Bob's going to pick the final results he likes
best.  I've talked to some encoder vendors directly, but wanted to make a
public call to any companies who would like to submit their software.  As an
added bonus, I'll be doing an article for DV about the process of designing
the media technologies for this project, including how we went about picking
an encoder.
    So, here is the basic constraints we're looking for in the file, and I'm
happy to look at any encoder that can meet these specs:
Compatible with playback with ISMA Profile 1, QuickTime 6.0.2, Envivio
plug-in, and MPEG4IP.
Progressive download compatible file (MooV atom at the front of the file)
Total data rate of 100-120 Kbps (2-pass VBR would be welcome).  We'll be
tweaking with the right resolution and data rate, but compression efficiency
provided by the tool will be a major factor in our decision.
Simple Visual video
AAC-LC audio (should be able to do 22.050 mono at 20 Kbps)
Source will be progressive PAL DV.  It'll probably be in QuickTime format,
but a transcode to .AVI might be possible.
    Anyone interested in providing an encoder for evaluation, drop me a
private note at ben   benwaggoner.com
Ben Waggoner <http://www.benwaggoner.com>
Compressed Video Consulting, Training, and Encoding
My Book:            http://www.benwaggoner.com/books.htm
Cleaner Tutorial:   http://www.saferseas.com/navseries/adclean.html
Compression Books:  http://www.benwaggoner.com/bookshelf.htm