Mandated Video Format (was: Microsoft has now joined the HTML Working Group)

Hi-

Apologies if this has already been discussed. Note that I'm not talking 
about where the video would be used ('object', 'video', 'media', 
'svg:video', or 'p' elements), but rather the format itself.

I agree that a standard cross-platform, cross-browser video format is 
desperately needed.  Right now, everyone is using proprietary standards, 
which is just unacceptable as a sustainable solution.

Matthew Raymond wrote:
> 
> 1) What's your position on <video> and using Ogg Theora as the format
> that all browsers SHOULD support?

Has Xiph done an exhaustive due-diligence patent search on Theora?  I 
know that rights to VP3 have been waived, but we don't want any nasty 
surprises.

Maybe the big players could help with this, by devoting some resources 
to finding and promoting the best unencumbered video format?

I'm cool with Ogg Theora if it turns out to be unencumbered, but I'd 
also be open to any other suggestions.  For me, the key factors are that 
it should be royalty-free, able to implemented across devices (such as 
on a mobile phone), and compatible with SMIL (is this a real 
consideration?).

Regards-
-Doug

Research and Standards Engineer
6th Sense Analytics
www.6thsenseanalytics.com
mobile: 919.824.5482

Received on Thursday, 5 April 2007 15:55:07 UTC