It’s easy to assume that open source and multimedia are mutually exclusive. A common criticism of free desktop Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, is that they lack support for multimedia playback, even for common formats. But don’t blame the distributions’ packagers. A maze of patents has accumulated around multimedia through the years, covering every aspect of playback and encoding. Even the MP3 format is restricted by patents that conflict with the requirements of free software licenses.
Independent developers haven’t been ignoring multimedia, however -- far from it. A number of open source projects not only manage to skirt the restrictions of existing technologies, but also improve on them.
For example, Ogg Vorbis is an open source “lossy” audio compression technology. As does MP3, it doesn’t retain every bit of data but reproduces a signal that sounds more or less like the original. But Vorbis uses advanced psychoacoustic modeling to deliver better sound quality than MP3 at a similar level of compression. What’s more, it is not encumbered by patents and is completely royalty free.
For video, look no further than the Dirac project, sponsored by BBC Research. Although still experimental, Dirac uses wavelet compression, an advanced mathematical technique that in theory should deliver better quality video than current methods. BBC owns some patents on the Dirac code, but it has granted perpetual royalty-free licenses to anyone who wishes to use them. Similarly, On2 Technologies has granted a perpetual license to its VP3 compression codec, which has become the basis of another open source project, Theora .
But while development of open source multimedia technologies proceeds apace, adoption is another matter. Vorbis is a mature codec that delivers superior performance, but few device manufacturers support it, despite the fact that it requires no licensing fees.
The problem is content. Hardware makers will support the formats that content providers offer, and increasingly that means formats that support DRM (digital rights management). Unfortunately, whether it’s Apple, Microsoft, Sony, or another company, proprietary DRM effectively makes the technology provider the gatekeeper for the entire multimedia stack. This, too, is a challenge that open source can answer.
The Open Media Commons , sponsored by Sun Microsystems, is an attempt to develop DRM technology through community participation. At its core is open source code than Sun has taken pains to ensure does not run afoul of any existing DRM patents (an area nearly as treacherous as multimedia itself). The hope is that a fully open DRM scheme will allow customers to use DRM-restricted content in approved ways across a range of interoperable software and devices from various manufacturers.
The common theme of all these projects is that cooperation and collaboration will accelerate adoption of digital audio and video, even as it pushes the technologies forward. Patent restrictions and proprietary code have held back multimedia long enough; the way ahead is open source.
Related articles:
Blazing trails with open source
Steering clear of proprietary messaging
Open source breathes life into Java
Devices gain an edge with Linux
Community drives scripting adoption
“Wide open” means extra security
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
1 Recommendation
