VLC has been updated to version 1.1, making the popular media player “ready for HD” with hardware video acceleration leading to smoother HD playback.
Additionally, the update brings support for the WebM video standard alongside tons of other tweaks and fixes.
On the downside, VLC has been forced to remove SHOUTcast streaming protocol support, as AOL (the owner) had demanded that the company bundle AOL software into the player or remove the support. VLC has left the email addresses of prominent AOL execs on their page, however, so angry users can do what they will with that.
The hardware acceleration works, so far, only through Nvidia hardware for both Linux and Windows, but all other updates work for Macs, Windows and Linux.
VLC is free and available here: VLC Media Player 1.1
What’s new?
GPU decoding on Windows Vista and 7, using DxVA2 for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2
GPU decoding on GNU/Linux, using VAAPI for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2
DSP decoding using OpenMax IL, for compatible embedded devices
Improved support for MKV HD, including seeking fixes, and 7.1 channels codecs
Support for new codecs, like Blu-Ray subtitles, MPEG-4 lossless and VP8
NB: so far, on Windows for GPU decoding, VideoLAN is recommending nVidia® GPU, until ATI® drivers are working with VLC architecture, and until the VLC developers get access to some Intel® hardware supporting GPU decoding.
[More]>>
Result for: audio experience
VLC has been updated to version 1.1, making the popular media player “ready for HD” with hardware video acceleration leading to smoother HD playback.
Additionally, the update brings support for the WebM video standard alongside tons of other tweaks and fixes.
On the downside, VLC has been forced to remove SHOUTcast streaming protocol support, as AOL (the owner) had demanded that the company bundle AOL software into the player or remove the support. VLC has left the email addresses of prominent AOL execs on their page, however, so angry users can do what they will with that.
The hardware acceleration works, so far, only through Nvidia hardware for both Linux and Windows, but all other updates work for Macs, Windows and Linux.
VLC is free and available here: VLC Media Player 1.1
What’s new?
GPU decoding on Windows Vista and 7, using DxVA2 for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2
GPU decoding on GNU/Linux, using VAAPI for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2
DSP decoding using OpenMax IL, for compatible embedded devices
Improved support for MKV HD, including seeking fixes, and 7.1 channels codecs
Support for new codecs, like Blu-Ray subtitles, MPEG-4 lossless and VP8
NB: so far, on Windows for GPU decoding, VideoLAN is recommending nVidia® GPU, until ATI® drivers are working with VLC architecture, and until the VLC developers get access to some Intel® hardware supporting GPU decoding.
[More]>>
Result for: audio experience
Vudu has officially announced that it will be rolling out films in a new high-definition format, dubbed HDX which the company claims is the best looking format yet for content delivered via the web, TV or cable VOD.
The launch will have 50 films available in the format, which plays back in full HD 1080p resolution. A few of the releases include the new hits The Spiderwick Chronicles, In Bruges, Speed Racer and a few classics such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Chinatown.
All Vudu users can watch the content via a purchased set-top box and although Vudu admits Blu-ray will offer a superior video and audio experience, HDX will trump any current HD service.
Although the company did not say how large the file sizes were on average, they did say HDX delivery would take about 4 hours per film for the average user. HDX will cost the same as the current HD films, $3.99 to $5.99 per film.
“We don’t make the claim that this is as good as Blu-ray, but consumers will not think the quality is lacking,” said Prasanna Ganesan, Vudu chief technology officer. “This is better than any other on-demand high-def experience out there.”
From now on all HD film releases on Vudu will also be available in HDX, says the comapny. HDX promises “to enhance details within dark images, preserve film grain and tune the picture for optimal display on current LCD and plasma TVs.”
“Vudu HDX truly raises the bar on picture quality for [high-def] movies delivered on demand, over the air, satellite or Internet and across the entire video landscape,” added Mark Jung, Vudu CEO. “Accelerating consumer adoption of large-screen HDTVs has fueled strong demand for the kind of viewing experience and picture quality that only HDX can deliver.”
