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Mozilla Open Source

Theora Improvements

I mentioned back in January that there was a push to improve open video, something I think is very important for the future of the web. Chris Blizzard pointed to a recent Theora update which includes screenshots of the progress that has been made. It’s very impressive to actually see. Even more impressive is the mention that it’s using the “same encoder parameters, equal bitrates”. This isn’t just turning up the bitrate in an attempt to improve quality.

Since these improvements are in the encoder rather than the format, or the playback library that means existing Theora users, as well as all Firefox 3.5 users will be benefiting from the work already done, as well as work done in the future without needed continued software updates, though I bet even playback will get some improvements over time.

Even better is that open video is free unlike most other formats out there.

6 replies on “Theora Improvements”

But the “same encoder parameters, equal bitratesâ€? is not the best way to make a benchmark, isn’t it?

Most users user the H.264 encoder with 2pass, High profile, Level 5.1 parameters. It’s much moooore better then the default settings.

Those two screenshots are both Theora encodings, not H.264. They demonstrate the progress made on the Theora encoder (1.0 vs. 1.1 SVN). Also note that the default options in the Theora encoder are supposed to be reasonably chosen, meaning the user doesn’t have to manipulate half a dozen ***** to get good quality.

AFAIK x264 (h.264) is also free aside from USA and other few countries that have the patent system for software

No, H.264 isn’t free outside of the US. Those patents are *not* “software patents”, they’re somewhat like “process definitions” (how to make milk last longer etc. – that sort of patent), which are also considered valid e.g. in the EU. So of course licensing fees are basically derived from H.264 on basically “every relevant market”.

I expect that VirtualDub or Avidemux get Theora support, because i hadn’t find any program that let me edit Theora files …

Those two screenshots are both Theora encodings, not H.264. They demonstrate the progress made on the Theora encoder (1.0 vs. 1.1 SVN). Also note that the default options in the Theora encoder are supposed to be reasonably chosen, meaning the user doesn’t have to manipulate half a dozen ***** to get good quality.

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