Joe,
Before I reply, I want everyone to know I work at Oak on the Interactive DVD Browser (or IDB). <<If you doubt that, look my name up on PC Magazine web site or Game Developer magazine web site and examine the byline>>
>it appears that OAKT's software is inherently MPEG1
>compatible and will support an external MPEG2 decoder or decryption >chip(hardware).
IDB inherently supports MPEG 2 Video, which is required by the DVD 1.0 Specification. IDB has an object-oriented ActiveMovie/DirectShow based architecture which has been demonstrated on a wide variety DVD-based MPEG-2/AC-3 devices at various trade shows.
Because it is a true object-oriented ActiveMovie solution, this architecture can easily support current and future DVD devices (both software or hardware). In fact, our demonstrations of IDB have included both software and AC-3 decoding. Companies demonstrating IDB have included SGS Thompson, Hyundai among others.
>DVD-Browser is Video CD 2.0 compliant. Hello! This is the buzzword >for MPEG1 support.
I'm afraid you're reading more into this statement than what it means. The press release is very clear, we support EVERY feature in the DVD 1.0 Specification (plus a whole lot of extras in the ActiveMovie environment). :-)
>Again I stand by what I said, ZRAN's product is far superior.
May I ask how you are making this statement? Have you played with IDB or the ZRAN product?
We believe IDB to be a robust solution which is extremely competitive.
One other point to keep in mind--if you examine the architecture chart, you'll notice that the interfaces are "open" ActiveMovie filters, which can potentially be "plugged" into other ActiveMovie digital video graphs (such as a digital broadcast).
Are you aware of a publically demonstrated product which meets/beats these features?
>I'm still long OAKT though because I never considered this product to >have a major impact on top or bottom line numbers
I'm glad you're long on Oak too, and I appreciate your interest in our products! :-)
Just remember that IDB is part of a larger Oak DVD strategy (see the Troika press release).
IDB provides TRUE ActiveMovie support today! Since it is hardware neutral, app developer's investment is protected since they aren't locked into a particular platform. Remember that Microsoft has stated that ActiveMovie will contain all future multimedia interfaces and that MCI WILL NOT be enhanced.
This means that products based on MCI are essentially DEAD END products. Since all existing competing products are based on MCI, I'll let you infer about their long term viability.
Linden deCarmo
Note: the opinions expressed in this note are my own and not necessarily those of Oak Technology |
