Next-Gen Encoder Sharpens Image

Thomson's Technicolor Content Services division has rolled out an encoding system for high-quality compression of high-definition video for use in HD DVD and Blu-ray disc products.

TIGER AVC, co-developed by Thomson Corporate Research laboratories and Technicolor, is an optical disc compression tool that supports both HD DVD and Blu-ray high-definition DVD formats. Technicolor will use the technology in-house to support post production for movie studios.

"We developed many new algorithms to get the quality we're trying to achieve," said Jeffrey Cooper, general manager for Thomson Corporate Research. "Think of compression standards like a toolbox with hundreds of tools."

Developing the compression technology required tradeoffs. It took Technicolor and Thomson more than a year to develop the 50 algorithms required to achieve the perfect picture quality. The video encoding technology is based on MPEG4-H.264/AVC.

One year in the making, the technology Thomson and Technicolor developed aims to provide consumers with higher-quality image. It also will use less disc capacity to leave more space for better audio, special features and games.

Chris Crotty, senior analyst for consumer electronics at research firm iSuppli Corp., El Segundo, Calif., said it is "a secret sauce how you process video and treat edges and motion, for example," and companies develop different algorithms to achieve these effects.

"Technicolor Content Services introduction of a new proprietary encoding system for high-quality compression of high definition video for use with HD DVD and Blu-ray discs is a prime example of today's leading replicators responding to industry and consumer demands," said Charles Van Horn, president at International Recording Media Association, an industry group.

IRMA expects HD DVD, Blu-ray and standard definition discs to reach 2.3 billion units shipped annually in the U.S. by 2010, up from an estimated 1.7 billion units in 2006.

Story source: <a href=http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/193401559" target="_blank">techweb.com.