For Windows Developers Direct Show and VFW is a must.

For Linux V4L, V4L2 , BTTV, or BSD BKTR. C, C++ and some Java. Also Perl would be good Understand TCP/IP , UDP, RTSP, RTP, and H.323 or SIP is also a plus. Knowledge of TriMedia, or TI DM642 or similar is also a plus. Also knowledge of JPEG, MPEG1,2 and 4. H.263 and H.264 is also a plus.
Must be self motivated, creative and good at googling.

I am looking for someone who loves Video and looking for something more then just a paycheck.
Will pay top dollar for the right person, we are growing fast and you would have the opportunity to become a leader and grow with us.

Contact on this page

Bram Cohen created BitTorrent in 2001 after the dot-com crash left him unemployed. Since then, it has become the most popular application to distribute large files, particularly CD-Rom ISO files, compressed movies and other video because it send data from many computer simultaneously as they receive the file. That not only speeds up transfers, but elimiates bandwidth costs.

Cohen said the financing from Menlo Park, Calif.-based Doll Capital Management demonstrates the capital firm's belief that "BitTorrent will become the ideal platform for both independent publishers and the world's leading media companies alike,"

More than 45 million people use the BitTorrent software, according to Cohen.

As a result, Web sites that host torrents "trackers" that point the way to other users sharing a given feature film, software or other file have become the targets of entertainment industry lawsuits in recent months.

Unlike developers of other file-sharing programs like Kazaa, Bit Torrent is not centralised network but a protocol and application like FTP or HTTP. Cohen himself has not been sued because his software is not perceived to be the root of the P2P files but just the means. The operators of the Bit Torrent trackers are responsible for the content.

Bit Torrent has worked so well for linux Distributions and other Legitimate application that Microsoft has decided to developed there own similar technology. Avalanche: File Swarming with Network Coding

Avalanche is already a generation ahead though using error correction codes. "peers produce linear combinations of the blocks they already hold." from what I can tell this is a Rateless code which is a form of Error Correction. It's also known at LT Code, Lube Transform, Fountain Codes (from Digital Fountain), and Raptor codes.

More on this story

What is BitTorrent?

On that same note

These days I was looking around at LCD and Plasma displays, they have come a long way but in the process many of the specifications have become ambiguous.

One item of concern is that with the old CRT's (Cathode Ray Tubes) the display pixels are sent to the display and would light up the Phosphorous dots on the screen in a sort of random way, meaning there is no specific relationship between CRT dots and where the pixel produced by the electron beam would be located. Placing a magnet in front of a screen would actually bend and twist the displayed image. But in LCD or plasma display, there are specific rows and columns of pixel and these are under direct digital control very different from the analog spraying effect the CRT's use.

This direct Digital control of each pixel is a double-edged sword. If you created a video drive specifically for your display each Pixel from the VGA or compress video stream could directly be displayed on its corresponding screen pixel. This is being done in some places, such as laptops and PDA.s but on most Plasma and LCD monitors they have to create a digital circuit to simulate the Analog spraying effect. To do this in the Ideal manner some sort of Sinc interpolation or other advanced filters would need to be used, but it seems more often then not they just toss out or double up display pixels or attempt to do most of this in the Analog domain, causing all sort of Artifacts and jitter. Even though the chipsets to do this are very clear as to what methods are used, I find most manufactures of display do not mention this at all.

For me this is distressing. Why bother to take so much care in preserving video quality only to have it get mangled in the last step, the display.

For a specific case and point, I was looking at a Daewoo DP42SM 42" Widescreen Flat Panel Plasma EDTV / HDTV for $1400 at a bargain store here. The DP42SM accepts inputs in all major DTV formats (1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i). It produces an astoundingly bright picture with 600 candelas per square meter.

Seems like an incredible deal, picture looked great with the DVD that was playing.

But for me playing NTSC DVD's is only a small part of what I would like to use a plasma screen for. I really want 1080i and if possible 1080p, as well as VGA/DVI computer display capabilities. This Daewoo could do it but the actually screen resolution couldn.t be determined till I check on the Internet for it. Good thing I checked, the actual screen resolution is 853x480. The 1920x1080 resolution of a 1080i video would be rescaled in the set down to 853x480 causing all kinds of artifacts and aliasing, (at least I expect it would). 1080i is 2.25 the native resolution, so it.s needs to rescale the iamge so every 9 HDTV pixels becomes 4 screen pixels in each access. Imagine what this would do to text.

The reverse is true for display of NTSC video which is 640x480 or 720x480 depending on the sample rate of the capture. It is possible they are able to capture some of the higher frequencies to truly get 852, but my Digital Cable and DVD player is only sending 640 or 720 resolution in the X access. So again there is a point where some output pixels from the cable box will fall half way in-between to screen pixels. Causing odd artifacts. Of course Low pass filtering would solve this but that kind of defeats the whole point for a higher resolution. I wish someone would come up with a standard for getting a direct 1:1 pixel data sent over. HDMI , DVI-I and Firewire can do this. Enough ranting though.

The Plasma display has a 1.08 mm Pixel Pitch. With my CRT VGA displays I usually get from 0.28 to 0.20 mm Dot (Pixel) Pitch, so each pixel is 1/16 smaller then the plasma. So it doesn't look so good close up.

HDFEST's New York City event will be taking place September 30th and October 1st at the Goldcrest Post Screening Room and will offer a historic first look into the incorporation of DivX HD technology in filmmaking and HD playback. HDFEST is considered the world's only high-definition film festival and screens films created exclusively with HD technology and plays all festival content exclusively in High-Definition. The HDFEST 2005 World Tour will also be taking place this year in South Florida, Helsinki, Los Angeles, and London. Since 2000, HDFEST has been presenting High-Definition screenings, panels, seminars, and HD equipment demonstrations in cities around the world. The upcoming NYC festival will be a historic first as HDFEST will be using the cutting edge high-definition DivX HD format for screening of all festival content.

The festival will be truly invaluable for the filmmaker or industry professionals interested in incorporating High-Definition cameras and/or HD editing systems into their work. Along with revolutionary screenings of High-Definition content taking advantage of DivX's technology for playback, HDFEST New York will include new panel discussions on HD filmmaking. New York panels include "HD Filmmaking at the Edge of the HD Transformation" "HDV A Cinematographer's Point of View" and "HD for the New and Uninitiated." These discussions will also offer the opportunity for Q&A with industry experts who have been using HD technology since its inception. HDFEST panel discussions give an overview of HD camera choices, HD editing systems to choose from, along with other considerations many should take into account before making the switch to the High-Definition format.

HDFEST's New York line-up includes fourteen short films, the World Premiere of the HD feature film "Experiment" shot in the UK and Prague, and the documentary feature "Fantastic Festivals of the World 'Kyu-Bon and Eisa Festivals.'" The HDFEST HD shorts to be presented in New York include animation, science fiction, comedy, drama and experimental HD films which originated from countries including US, Canada, UK, Germany, Singapore, Ireland, Australia and Japan.HDFEST New York attendees will also have the ability to hear from participating HD filmmakers to be in attendance at the festival including Jason Jenson ("Wetwork"), John Bourbonais ("The Southern Colorado AIDS Project") Scottie Gissell ("June and Orlando") and Shelly Silver ("What I'm Looking For.") 

Festival Director Issac Alexander states "HDFEST is excited to be partnering with DivX to showcase the impressive capabilities of DivX HD. We at HDFEST are very enthusiastic about the implications DivX offers for independent filmmaking. This is powerful technology with a myriad of applications." DivX HD compression delivers 720p HD video at 4Mb/s, allowing for an entire DivX HD movie to fit on a single standard DVD. DivX HD allows films to screen in High-Definition resolution using DivX Certified High Definition DVD players that are on the market today at very reasonable prices. Leveraging the advanced technology of the DivX codec, independent filmmakers can take advantage of flexible, high performance HD creation and playback options today. More information about how filmmakers can incorporate DivX HD technology can be found at http://www.divx.com/corporate/solutions/hd/index.php

The HDFEST 2005 World Tour is sponsored by Dalsa Digital Cinema, DivX, Dolby, Midtown Video, RGB Communications, Goldcrest Post Production, Production Update Magazine, Film and Video Magazine, Guardian Entertainment, Royalty Free HD, Gorilla Software and Digital Media Arts College. For more information about HDFEST's New York event, please visit www.hdfest.com or email admin@hdfest.com. Tickets are $10 per screening session and $8 per panel discussion and can be purchased on the HDFEST website or at the festival the day of the events. The Goldcrest Post Screening Room is located at 799 Washington Street in New York. The schedule for HDFEST New York can be found at http://www.hdfest.com/nyc_05.htm. More information about other HDFEST 2005 events taking place this year in Los Angeles, Helsinki, London, and South Florida can be found on HDFEST's website www.hdfest.com.

The IBC 2005 Doremi D-Cinema event focused on the latest HD 3D technologies with the presentation of two new innovative techniques.

Philippe Gerard of INRIA (French computing research lab) starts the presentation with a practical detailed overview on how to use 3D HD in the film production chain. Starting with an explanation of the 3D HD production requirements and its impact on film conception, Philippe describes the various benefits from his custom-designed techniques.

Then, from his practical real-world production experience, Philippe describes the software needed to meet the objectives of the scenarios and so to create new, innovative and extraordinary types of productions. The various techniques used are demonstrated with real film extracts played from a single 3D JPEG2000 Doremi Server and projected using a single latest Christie 2K 3D projector.

This is a new technique to control images and operations in a scene or an immerse environment. The user manipulates video objects, still frames or 3D elements using an innovative movement tracking system. Based on a light-glove, the user starts to interact with any type of content. This highly original control system works like automation: enabling playing video sequences, and controlling sound and light environments at venues such as conferences, concerts or theatres.

This system can also be seen as a form of .games. interface . to play with contents . and as a way to embed technology at the heart of a scenography of the multimedia contents. This innovation offers the events world more dynamic presentations by allowing speakers or presenters to interact with the various objects that make up their presentation.

To see, and to hear, is to understand this astonishing extension of visual and aural experience. Live examples are demonstrated playing on a JPEG2000 Doremi Server and projected using latest Christie 2K 3D projector.

The enhanced 3D virtual reality technique was first used for a live event at the launch of the Dassault Falcon 7X aeroplane in Bordeaux, February 2005. Philippe also coordinates a technology transfer for movement capture used for the playback control of video with graphic element additions. Philippe is member of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and has been nominated by Siggraph 2005 and for an award for this artistic interactive innovation.

For more info: Doremi Labs Inc., Doremi Technologies(Europe) and IBC

Fibre Channel - Audio Video (FC-AV) Document on the T11.org site.

There are many great concepts in there.

At the recently concluded Intel Developer.s Forum (IDF), Intel briefed system builders on the requirements for devices to qualify for the firm's Hometrino brand "Viiv". The reference entertainment platform will be based on Pentium D dual-core processors and 945, 955X or 975X chipsets or Intel's Calistoga chipset or the upcoming Pentium M dual-core Yonah in combination with a 945GT chipset.

Additionally, Viiv will require a SATA harddrive that support native command queuing (NCQ), support for 5.1 channel sound or better as well as high definition audio, a remote control. The only operating system considered is Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE). The platform will also contain Intel-developed Viiv software that runs with a Windows GUI shell.

They will use either an Intel PRO/1000 PM NIC or a PRO/100 VE/VM NIC. Wireless is not a requirement. , Intel Hi-Definition Audio and jacks are a requirement. Manufacturers can choose between the regular 6 RCA jacks (for 5.1 output) or a single SPD/F. Whether SPD/F will support 5.1 or a higher audio is yet to be seen.

All VIIV PCs must come with a remote control that works with Windows XP Media Center Edition and can work with the media shell used on the system by default.

All VIIV PCs must use Intel's Integrated Media Server software. The media server software features a transcoding engine that will automatically transcode audio and video from a number of "popular" formats to a DLNA compliant format for transmission to digital media adapters, portable devices, etc. without the hassle and mess of codec compatibility.

Early Viiv platforms are expected to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Intel will use the tradeshow also as launch platform for its Yonah-based Pentium M dual-core and single-core processors. (THG)

Tech titans Microsoft and Intel today will back HD DVD as their choice for the next generation of DVDs, pitting them against Sony and its rival technology Blu-ray.

Both formats offer crisper pictures but are incompatible. Backers acknowledge that consumers, retailers studios and most device makers would be better off with a unified standard, avoiding a replay of the fight between Betamax and VHS, but as products head to market neither side is conceding.

Support from Microsoft and Intel could boost the HD DVD camp. Microsoft said it would build support for HD DVD into the next version of Windows, called Vista. Intel will make its coming Viiv technology for multimedia work the HD DVD.

.The great thing about HD DVD is that it provides the cool consumers benefits we.re looking for. such as the ability to play standard DVDs said Stephen Balogh, Intel.s director of optical media standards.

That support puts Intel and Microsoft at odds with its biggest customers. Computer makers such as Apple, Dell, and HP back Blu-ray. But analyst Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group said, .most of the PC makers, while they have their own research and development departments, pretty much go to market with that Intel makes available to them..

HP spokesman Mike Moeller said the company was sticking with Blu-ray. .Ultimately Intel does not deliver products to customers. he said. .out impact of what.s going to happen in the marketplace is very important.. A big questions: whether Microsoft will include HD DVD in the future versions of its Xbox 360 video game console the way Sony is building Blu-ray into its playstation 3 machine. A Microsoft spokeswoman said its support of HD DVD did not immediately affect Xbox 360, which ships this fall with a standard DVD drive.

UPDATE
Dell, HP slam Intel, MS' 'erroneous' HD DVD claims
As The Register noted at the time, Intel and MS' claim that HD DVD's 30GB capacity is better than BD's 25GB is nonsense: the two companies conveniently ignored the fact they were talking about dual-layer HD DVD discs and single-layer BDs.

The morning session will feature Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) consortium conducting a detailed tutorial explaining the core sections of their specification. SMPTE will conduct the afternoon session and will broaden the exploration of works in progress relating to digital cinema.

The following three days of the conference will cover 12 sessions that focus on a broad range of technologies and infrastructures relating to the creation and management of digital content. Recent developments in digital SD and HD television will be highlighted. A special focus on content creation will examine new products and systems for HDTV newsgathering, small format HDV acquisition, and large sensor digital motion imaging.

Other sessions will focus on areas of digital infrastructure including digital storage systems, digital sound for broadcast and cinema, media infrastructure (such as MXF, GXF, and AAF) and IP-based broadcast plant.

For more information, visit www.smpte.org.

Dalsa who I have reported on back in Nov 2004, and is a sponsor of HDFEST 2005 in this months issue, was the source for these 4K images. The DALSA (TSX:DSA) OriginTM digital cinematography camera was used.

The 4K transmission linked the University of California, San Diego and Keio University in Tokyo via 15,000 kilometers (roughly 9,000 miles) of gigabit Internet Protocol (IP) optical-fiber networks, and allowed organizers to show attendees the most varied 4K content ever presented at a single event anywhere in the world to date.

At 8 megapixels per frame, uncompressed streaming of 4K video requires a data rate greater than 6 Gigabits per second (Gbps). In many places though, the signal must be carried over 1 Gbps circuits. To do so efficiently, the iGrid demonstration utilized prototype JPEG 2000 codecs from NTT Network Innovation Labs, designed to compress and decompress 4K digital video in real time to 200-400 Mbps for direct connection to gigabit IP networks. NTT Labs also provided prototype Flexcast systems that enable multicast delivery of 4K video and audio over traditional unicast networks by just adding functions to existing networks.

More info at iGrid 2005 | http://www.calit2.net/igrid2005/ | advancedimagingpro.com | Dalsa Article

Wired News - Eye-Popping Streaming Film Debuts

GVExpo is one of the largest events representing the exploding Government AV, Video, Broadcast, Digital Signage, Collaborative Conferencing, Multimedia & Technology, a $9.4 billion market.

One of the talks has a great title. HD Today: How H is Your HD?

For more info visit www.gvexpo.com or call 800-294-7605 ext, 506.

Sachs Report - Don't really know how to describe it, Odd but interesting.

Fire Wire Tee Shirt

HTPC Guides and Links Home Theater PC

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