Here is some information on Codec's and Compression...
http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/5C_ingestequip.htmlhttp://www.discreet.com/support/codec/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information
MPEG is a set of international standards for audio and video compression.
MPEG-4 is a the newest MPEG standard, and is designed for the delivery of interactive multimedia across networks. As such, it is more than a single codec, and includes specifications for audio, video, and interactivity. Version 1 of the MPEG-4 spec was approved in 1999. Version 2 is expected to be finalized by the end of 2000.
The video component of MPEG-4 is similiar to H.263, but significantly advanced. The image quality has been significantly improved, and optimized for delivery of video at Internet data rates.
The MPEG-4 file format is based on QuickTime.
Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies provides an implmenentation of this codec which is stated to be standards compliant (as "ISO MPEG-4"). Older versions of Microsoft's MPEG-4 codecs (v1-v3) were produced while the standard was under development, and are not compliant.
Architectures Supported
Windows Media Technologies
An increasing number of devices
Pros, Cons & Tips
Pros
Standard-based; should be widely intercompatible as it catches on
Very good quality at web bitrates
Cons
Not quite as efficient as some proprietary codecs
Ideal source material Low-motion video
Supported color formats YUV 4:2:0
Compression time Asymmetric
Temporal compression? Yes, including bidirectional (B) frames
Special features MPEG-4 standard includes much more than a single video track (though not all players implement the extra features)
Encoder availability Video encoder included in Windows Media
Decoder availability Video decoder included in Windows Media
Algorithm Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) with Motion Prediction based on H.263
Manufacturer Many
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• Preparing the Computer for Ingestion
MINIMAL DISTRACTIONS: The process of ingestion and capture (other than for DV sources) is CPU intensive and requires the entire attention of a computer. Otherwise, frames may be dropped during ingestion. Below are listed some time-tested procedures to help your computer focus on its ingestion tasks, with minimal CPU distractions.
Eliminate any network chatter (no ethernet, no printer, no e-mail, no Internet, no file sharing)
Deactivate all unnecessary control panels, accessories and extensions (no clocks, no custom cursors, no screen savers)
Turn off Virtual Memory (if recommended)
Turn off any memory enhancing or compression programs
Defrag/optimize your video storage drives or arrays
Remove any unnecessary SCSI, Firewire, or USB devices
Quit any unnecessary applications
If audio is not needed during ingestion, set the software to ignore the audio tracks.
If using a hardware, third-party digitizing solution, use its recommended or proprietary codec for lightly compressing the ingested video (usually some form of M-JPEG or DV).
