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Archives For January 2006

ExtremeTech: H.264 has a long way to go.

January 31, 2006

ExtremeTech just posted results of their tests comparing CPU utilization across recent ATI (Radeon X1800 XT) and nVidia (GeForce 7800 GTX) cards for three codecs: DivX, H.264, and WMV9. The results?

For 720p content WMV 9 plays back at typically 25-40% CPU utilization for the clips tested. H.264 on the other hand takes 80% (using ATI’s acceleration) and on other systems even spike to 100%. Note however these are different clips than those used for WMV 9 testing. Playing back 720p DivX clips results in 50% or so CPU utilization

To quote:

“H.264 acceleration has a long way to go before it’s ready for prime time. Even with ATI’s hardware acceleration, it’s way too CPU intensive. What’s more, ATI needs to work to offer acceleration on basically all popular H.264 decoders, the same way their DVD acceleration works with DVD decoders.”

Also interesting to note DivX playback performance of DivX player vs. WMP:

“The performance of the GeForce 7800 GTX when using the DivX Player is atrocious, at 75-80% CPU utilization. Under Windows Media Player 10, it’s right around 50%.”

One thing’s for sure, there’s still a lot of work to be done in this area.

“The video landscape on the PC is still far too big a mess. There are too many codecs, and sometimes too many software providers making decoders (we found a dozen H.264 decoders and at least as many DVD decoders in 10 minutes of Google searching). Some are accelerated, some are not.”

I have some ideas on how to fix this (that don’t involve “destroying” the competition thank you) but I’m interested in your thoughts first?

In Podcasting, Portable Media Center, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Vista , , , ,
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IE7 Beta 2 Preview released

January 31, 2006

Developers can get their hands on the latest Internet Explorer 7 Beta preview starting today for XP users. Congrats to Dean & team for releasing. While not quite ready for the mainstream consumer quite yet, I’m running it on my main system at work- a few quirks but I’ve reported them to the team and they’ve responded already.

A tour of the new experience is here.

In Longhorn, Windows Vista , ,
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Chris says it's time for Subscriptions. Pass the oil please.

January 31, 2006

Chris Pirillo says,

The ala carte iPod Video store is getting worse, not better. If you watch only one TV show per week (and you don’t already have a cable subscription), I’m sure their efforts are a godsend. However, if you’re like me, and already have three DVRs in your house to record all the shows you want to watch, this lack-of-subscription thing is an absolute nightmare.

…I’m thoroughly disappointed that I can’t take my Napster subscription with me on my PSP or iPod. Instead, companies want me to spend even MORE money for LESS freedom – and to complicate my life even more than it was before. The sad thing is, many folks walk into it blindly thinking it… “looks like fun.” Bullshit. It’s all Bullshit, and Apple’s leading the bullshit charge (albeit with style).

Bullshit? Hmm. Convenient? Yes. It’s all about variety and viscousity. Offer just enough variety with a low viscosity among the key moving parts (discovery, purchase, and download) and you’re set. It’s just another take on the path of least resistance. Nature doesn’t lie.

Perhaps we need a viscosity index for software experiences end to end?

In Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Vista, XP Media Center , , , ,
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Read the fine print!

January 31, 2006

This one was too good not to share. Today I received an invitation via my personal email to test a new software app. The email touts the many features of said app, many cryptic in nature.

Then under known issues:

“Deadlocks observed when [running] or exiting [the application].”

+1 points for honesty. Now -2 points for not fixing the problem before issuing the beta. Grrrr.

In Funny , ,
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Of Jim Allchin, Vista, HD Digital Cable of MCE and more

January 29, 2006

Thomas Hawk has an excellent writeup on his blogger’s dinner with Microsoft VP Jim Allchin last week. Jim confirmed that in order to get HDTV over digital cable in a Windows Vista PC, you’ll have to buy a PC system that has been “certified” by CableLabs. Unfortunately there’s nothing Microsoft could do here – they must honor the wishes of CableLabs. I’ve been fortunate to be one of those who has been testing the technology and I have to say it’s fantastic. I’ve done A/B switching tests vs. my Comcast set-top DVR and see no difference in image quality, despite the fact that the tuner is a simple USB-based box (RNDIS) that you just plug your cable (and cable card) into and go. No news on whether free and clear QAM services will require a CableLabs certified system but I will check. I suspect local channels in HD may still be an often from after-market or home grown builders. In order to get your premium channels DVR’d you’ll need that CableCard-qualified system and CableCard installed by your local cable operator.

Also news at CES was the DirecTV Media Center announcement. In the future (timing wasn’t discussed), you’ll be able to have an installer come out and install a DirecTV tuner into your Media Center PC and get your local channels complete with DVR. As many know, DirecTV uses their own protection scheme with a “conditional access card” not unlike a cablecard. The big difference here is that they recognize the value in offering an after-market system installed by their own installers. In the past, it was DirecTV that was considered “evil” for their use of DRM and protecting their assets too stringently vs. Cable. Could the shoe be on the other foot? Only time will tell.

In CES, Longhorn, Windows Vista, XP Media Center , , , ,
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