video

Compressed videos are produced by codecs, which is a word that combines the two roles they perform: compressing and decompressing video or audio. The process of compressing video is often called "encoding," and the process of decompressing video "decoding." 

Compression standards like MPEG do not actually specify how a video should be encoded. That is left up to the codec. Creators of encoding software are free to implement the encoding algorithm whatever way they like. As long as the compressed video or audio complies with the standard, software developers can implement the actual codec with whatever features and user interface they want.

Well, after an extended sabatical, I have finally returned.  There really aren't a ton of excuses for my prolonged absence from imparting my words of wisdom.  However, let me offer some tepid explanations.

My original hiatus began because of just shear workload.  As you may recall, I am implementing the platform technology to support the Mobile MUSE projects.  The platform provides various services that are ostensibly valuable for content developers in delivering their applications to mobile users in the cellular environment.  Well, as is the case with most technical projects, the task became bigger than I had hoped for.  I continued to experience problem after problem after problem.  Some were attributable to my own inexperience in some areas.  Some were attributable to changing requirements from the MUSE projects.  Some were attributable to hardware failures.  And some were attributable to arcanery in the mobile networks.  Whatever the reason, I was spending WAY more time on this project than I had planned.  I decided to bail on least pressing of the issues - namely my blog postings.

I've written before about my interest in pursuing MMS as a method of rich-media distribution.  Indeed I've directed a lot of my efforts on the Mobile MUSE projects trying to leverage this technology in the projects.

In a previous life, I've spent a lot of time in this area; participating in standards definitions and understanding carrier requirements as well as dealing with the issues of interoperability between 3GPP and 3GPP2 domains.  However, until the mobile MUSE projects, I've had no practical experience with trying to use MMS as a service delivery technology.