MPEG-2 encoding & decoding is very difficult (there is both a "science" based on the standard, and an "art" based on what is not in the standard and human perception of video quality). CUBE does have proprietary technology in this area. Key CUBE employees helped define the MPEG-2 standard (so they know the science), and CUBE has poured a lot of money into R&D (to deveop the art and better implement the science).
MPEG-2 was designed to make decoding easier than encoding, based on the theory that there would be lots of decoders needed in home electronics, and it would be desirable to reduce the expense of decoders at the expense of making the encoders more complicated. Believe me, encoding is very complex, and it required an understanding of television technology, heavy duty digital signal processing, and human perception of color, brightness, motion, and audio. Not to mention high-speed digital circuitry and efficient software coding. Most companies don't have access to this skill set, and even if they do, there is a steep learning curve in order to understand MPEG-2 science and art.
The true difficulty is supported by empirical evidence, so you don't have to take my word for it. Over the past several years, a long list of companies have "announced" MPEG-2 solutions. A very short list have actually produced solutions. |
