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#1
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
I share a number of flying videos on my web site in both Windows Media and
Real Video formats. Frankly, I'm tiring of spending the time to render both high- and low-bandwidth versions of each video in two formats (making four files for each video), so I'm considering using a single format for all videos - which brings me to my question: Given a choice to download the following formats, which would you choose and why? MPEG-4 WMV (v9) Real (v10) Some issues for consideration include: Size. MPEG-1/2 files are simply too large compared to Real and WMV. While storage isn't an issue, bandwidth is (and I run my own server that does not sit on a backbone). Quality. WMV and Real offer decent quality at a bitrate of ~250kbps. Of course, lower bitrates of ~53kbps (to support modem users) drastically cut down the quality in any format, but WMV and Real offer at least enough information to pick out a runway while on final. MPEG-4 offers similar quality for only a slightly larger file (for instance, a sample 1 minute video is about 1.99MB in WMV and 2.02MB in MPEG-4 for similar bitrates). Playback. Windows Media Player (WMP) is free and widespread on the most popular PC operating system. Real Player is free and is bundled with many name brand computers. There is a fairly wide range of players compatible with MPEG-4, though, including proprietary players (like Real and QuickTime [also free]) and "third-party" players. Compatibility. WMV and Real are proprietary formats, but they are relatively "open" and encoders are freely available for both formats. They also have the backing of some of the largest players (business-wise) in the computer industry. MPEG-4 is a standard published by international standards bodies, but licensing issues have kept encoders out of the mainstream for several years. However, that appears to be less of an issue now with a fairly wide availability (not necessarily distribution) of encoders and players. While most users are likely running some flavor of Windows, there is a large number of non-Microsoft users (both in OS and software in general). MPEG-4 would appear to be the cross-platform format of choice, but not unless there is a large enough market penetration of players. Thanks for your input! -- John T http://sage1solutions.com/TknoFlyer Reduce spam. Use Sender Policy Framework: http://spf.pobox.com ____________________ |
#2
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
John T opined
I share a number of flying videos on my web site in both Windows Media and Real Video formats. Frankly, I'm tiring of spending the time to render both high- and low-bandwidth versions of each video in two formats (making four files for each video), so I'm considering using a single format for all videos - which brings me to my question: Given a choice to download the following formats, which would you choose and why? MPEG-4 WMV (v9) Real (v10) Something open source, not everyone runs windows. -ash Cthulhu in 2005! Why wait for nature? |
#3
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What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
"John T" wrote in message m... I share a number of flying videos on my web site in both Windows Media and Real Video formats. Frankly, I'm tiring of spending the time to render both high- and low-bandwidth versions of each video in two formats (making four files for each video), so I'm considering using a single format for all videos - which brings me to my question: \ ANYTHING except real player. Yes, I yell, because, IMHO, real player is the biggest parasite, system dominating piece of crap ever invented. Between flash and real, I can't figure which I hate more. I am always certain to kick real player out of every crack and nitch I can find it in, whenever I reformat, or someone needs my help fixing a mess on their system. -- Jim in NC |
#4
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What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
"John T" wrote in message
m... [...] MPEG-4 WMV (v9) Real (v10) Anything but Real. Their player is riddled with bugs, and is practically spyware too. At least, that's how it was from the time it first came out until six months or so ago when I finally gave up hope and stopped using it altogether. Sure, you can use RealAlternative for playing Real files, but compatibility will always lag behind the current Real format, and in any case if you're encoding in Real, you're supporting a lame software company even if users who don't want to don't have to use their player. Quicktime isn't any less proprietary than WMV, but IMHO it's at least as equal an option as WMV. The latest MPEG-4 variation that everyone's raving about is H.264. I don't think Windows Media Player supports it yet, but I think the Quicktime player does. "MPEG-4" by itself doesn't really narrow it down. Most of the current video formats are based on MPEG-4 somehow. This includes QT, WMV, DivX, and of course H.264. It would be hard to go wrong with almost any of the popular MPEG-4-based formats. They all have comparable quality at comparable bitrates, for most people's purposes. Bottom line as far as I'm concerned: nearly any format is viable and reasonable, except Real. I wish Real would just disappear. Pete |
#5
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
WMV Please! Real is always a prob, tries to take over all kinds of
stuff... Dave On Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:54:34 -0500, "John T" wrote: I share a number of flying videos on my web site in both Windows Media and Real Video formats. Frankly, I'm tiring of spending the time to render both high- and low-bandwidth versions of each video in two formats (making four files for each video), so I'm considering using a single format for all videos - which brings me to my question: Given a choice to download the following formats, which would you choose and why? MPEG-4 WMV (v9) Real (v10) Some issues for consideration include: Size. MPEG-1/2 files are simply too large compared to Real and WMV. While storage isn't an issue, bandwidth is (and I run my own server that does not sit on a backbone). Quality. WMV and Real offer decent quality at a bitrate of ~250kbps. Of course, lower bitrates of ~53kbps (to support modem users) drastically cut down the quality in any format, but WMV and Real offer at least enough information to pick out a runway while on final. MPEG-4 offers similar quality for only a slightly larger file (for instance, a sample 1 minute video is about 1.99MB in WMV and 2.02MB in MPEG-4 for similar bitrates). Playback. Windows Media Player (WMP) is free and widespread on the most popular PC operating system. Real Player is free and is bundled with many name brand computers. There is a fairly wide range of players compatible with MPEG-4, though, including proprietary players (like Real and QuickTime [also free]) and "third-party" players. Compatibility. WMV and Real are proprietary formats, but they are relatively "open" and encoders are freely available for both formats. They also have the backing of some of the largest players (business-wise) in the computer industry. MPEG-4 is a standard published by international standards bodies, but licensing issues have kept encoders out of the mainstream for several years. However, that appears to be less of an issue now with a fairly wide availability (not necessarily distribution) of encoders and players. While most users are likely running some flavor of Windows, there is a large number of non-Microsoft users (both in OS and software in general). MPEG-4 would appear to be the cross-platform format of choice, but not unless there is a large enough market penetration of players. Thanks for your input! |
#6
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What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
Morgans wrote: \ ANYTHING except real player. Yes, I yell, because, IMHO, real player is the biggest parasite, system dominating piece of crap ever invented. Well that and the fact the owner of the company is single handedly keeping Air America afloat. |
#7
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What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
Ditto on Real Player.
The Monk |
#8
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
John T wrote:
Given a choice to download the following formats, which would you choose and why? I would choose WMV simply because it playes reliably with my software. Some MPEG-4 files don't, and I don't want Real-Player on my system. George Patterson Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to your slightly older self. |
#9
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
In article , John T
wrote: Given a choice to download the following formats, which would you choose and why? MPEG-4 WMV (v9) Real (v10) An MPEG variant, by all means. The other two are closed, proprietary formats, and that's just never a good idea when you're trying to appeal to a wide audience like the web. And as other pointed out, Real is just *awful* software. -- Garner R. Miller ATP/CFII/MEI Clifton Park, NY =USA= http://www.garnermiller.com/ |
#10
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Poll: What is the Preferred Format for Aviation Video Download
Mpeg-4.
Codecs for WMP, QT and Pocasts. (Look for the G6 iPod to have a landscape screen the length of the player.) |
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