The quality of video recordings has improved hugely in recent years, and took a great leap forward with the appearance of High Definition (HD) cameras. At the same time video compression technology, for internet reproduction, is in constant evolution and visual quality is getting better and better. Driven by the need to put HD recordings on our website and with the desire to improve as much as possible the quality of all the videos, including those in Standard Definition (SD), that we will be adding from now on at the IBC, we have been looking into the various possibilities the latest technology offers.
High Quality with the x264!
We've chosen to use the new codec x264 (http://www.videolan.org/developers/x264.html), which renders high image quality combined with low memory use. Here is an example of how the results compare with SD video:
We've chosen to use the new codec x264 (http://www.videolan.org/developers/x264.html), which renders high image quality combined with low memory use. Here is an example of how the results compare with SD video:
 (Guira guira, Guira Cuckoo) (42 seconds length, 4277 Kb) |
(42 seconds length, 4188 Kb) Thanks to this new form of rendering, most of video clips can be seen in full screen (double click on the video) and still keep most of their quality. |
Video clips in the IBC
For many of the videos that we will be adding from now on (March 2007), we offer two qualities of clips:
For many of the videos that we will be adding from now on (March 2007), we offer two qualities of clips:
-
Normal Quality: These clips can be played with Windows Media Player (as usual), which opens automatically when clicking on "
Play video".
No changes are necessary in order to play them. -
High Quality: These videos have been renderized with the new x264 codec, independently of the source (SD or HD video).
You will recognize them by the inscription "
Play High Quality".
If clicked, a download message will appear offering the options of opening or saving the video file. You only need to click "Open" and in a short time you will be enjoying the video.
This High Quality version is also accessible from the Normal Quality video window, where you will see, on the lower part of screen, the following box:
This type of video clip uses small amounts of memory in spite of having better visual quality, but needs a player which can work with the new codec x264 and Matroska video container. Various players will reproduce .mkv files; we recommend using VideoLAN (VLC Media Player).
By clicking How to install VideoLAN, you will see detailed instructions with screenshots of all the process.
High Definition recording is the future!
As for the HD recordings, here you have an example of how they can be viewed on the web in their High Quality version:
(Myiarchus panamensis, Panama Flycatcher)
(29 seconds length, 2918 Kb)
Screenshot from High Definition video
Our most prolific contributor (Josep del Hoyo) has already gone HD and we know of others who will probably do so soon, excited by the quality of the images which can be achieved with this format. If any of our contributors is interested in making the jump to HD, we can supply information on the subject.
As for the HD recordings, here you have an example of how they can be viewed on the web in their High Quality version:
(29 seconds length, 2918 Kb)
Our most prolific contributor (Josep del Hoyo) has already gone HD and we know of others who will probably do so soon, excited by the quality of the images which can be achieved with this format. If any of our contributors is interested in making the jump to HD, we can supply information on the subject.
Attention Contributors!
Many of our contributors send us their video clips already rendered (this makes the process much quicker and they see their videos up on the web much sooner). Since our idea is to get more and more contributors and visitors, we will still post clips that haven’t been rendered to be played on Windows Media Player as in the past.
Nevertheless we will be happy to share information about how to use the new codec x264 so as to be able to also include the High Quality version of the video clip. We would like to encourage people to use it and make it a generally applied codec for the future.
The huge number of videos currently posted on the site makes it impossible for us to re-render them all using the new codec. However any contributor who wishes to re-render his/her videos is free to do so. We will be happy to substitute the old ones with the new.
Many of our contributors send us their video clips already rendered (this makes the process much quicker and they see their videos up on the web much sooner). Since our idea is to get more and more contributors and visitors, we will still post clips that haven’t been rendered to be played on Windows Media Player as in the past.
Nevertheless we will be happy to share information about how to use the new codec x264 so as to be able to also include the High Quality version of the video clip. We would like to encourage people to use it and make it a generally applied codec for the future.
The huge number of videos currently posted on the site makes it impossible for us to re-render them all using the new codec. However any contributor who wishes to re-render his/her videos is free to do so. We will be happy to substitute the old ones with the new.
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Please write to us with any doubts or queries you may have, at ibc@hbw.com