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Quicktime Under Linux With MPlayer
Sark writes: "The latest version of the controversial MPlayer program for
Linux supports Quicktime .mov files with the latest codecs.
Apart from the closed source program Crossover, this is the first
open source program that seems to work. Check out the Mplayer
homepage for more info." According to
formats page, Sorenson
Quicktime is still not gonna happen any time soon.
You know, if Linux video software would come as Debian packages, I would be really happy. Currently, if I want anything with avifile or something, I need to compile it myself - and I don't want to mess with the source because avifile API isn't exactly solid yet and source that compiled yesterday doesn't work today. Linux video support Isn't Here, dammit.
The mplayer author seems to be aware of the Marillat's unofficial .debs... and now whines that people are violating his "thou shalt not distribute Binaries" lisence.
I don't want to compile the package myself. I want binaries.
Source-only distribution is fine, as long as you let somebody make the pre-built binaries available so that we lazy bastards can use the program. I know I can compile mplayer if I'm positively motivated, but I know my mother couldn't.
This is why I'm considering using VideoLanClient instead of mplayer - at least it's under GPL and I'm able to get "official" Debian packages for it.
Apple has released the specs for almost every aspect of the Quicktime (.mov) standard. They rarely write their own codecs though.
The Sorenson codec is owned by Sorenson and Apple pays for it. If you want to get a legal player for a non-Win/Mac platform someone will either have to
1. reverse engineer the codec(legally questionable and hard)
2. write a wrapper that uses another OSs Code (crossover does this)
3. legally licence the code and release a player (anyone?)
4. actually get sorsen to let people have their source(or detailed specs) somehow.
the best thing to do is just start using a codec that already lets people have their source and is on par with the best VP3
Remember that there are two key components to a movie player -- the file format and the video codec. When the MPEG4 codec is finalized, the Quicktime format (and maybe also WiMP) will support it. With a little luck the Sorenson problem will become irrelevant at that point.
There are several reasons the Quicktime format can be more useful than straight MPEG. One of the best (but sadly underused) features is text tracks, which allows subtitles, descriptors for the disabled, etc. Another is the ability to overlay static sprites (for example, TV channel logos) onto the video layer. This kind of stuff can improve image quality and save bandwidth at the same time.