RealNetworks Opens SMIL Implementation

Rob Lanphier writes "RealNetworks just released the source code to their SMIL 2.0 implementation (along with JPEG, GIF, PNG, and WBMP implementations) as part of the Helix Community initiative, under the OSI-approved RPSL. Some neat tricks to do with the code: superimpose images on top of video, or transition effects between videos, using standard W3C-defined markup. More tech details in the Helix community datatype project page, or look at the SMIL production topics page. A precompiled release with this code will be coming out very soon."

Comments

SMIL? Don't talk to me about SMIL

[Mr_Silver]

The problem with SMIL files is not the implementation of the filespec, but the way that phones deal with them.

I work with SMIL files on a download platform and the biggest problem is the poor implementation by the manufacturers.

So far, the only phones that use SMIL's correctly are the SonyEricsson T68i, T610, P800 and the SAGEM MY X-6. Other SMIL capable phones either:

1. Pop up a message "unknown format"
2. Show you only the first frame
3. Force you to manually advance through each frame by pressing a button (all Nokia's do this)

SMIL's will only get popular if the handset manufacturers can implement it correctly - and so far, they haven't.

Re:SMIL? Don't talk to me about SMIL

[tsvk]

You are confusing the SMIL used in mobile handset multimedia messages (MMS) and SMIL in general. SMIL wasn't created for MMS purposes, it's the other way around: MMS uses SMIL to define presentation.

But MMS messages use a only a very limited subset of SMIL to define the MMS presentation. Currently an MMS is a SMIL slideshow where you link a picture, some text and a sound together for each slide (= par element), (example markup here). As you mentioned, all the Nokias ignore the timing information, etc. so the SMIL implementations by the handset makers are rather incomplete. But they very well may be so because to be MMS-conformant, they don't have to support all of SMIL.

Platform4 player

[Mr_Silver]

Although it doesn't support SMIL v2, Philips Platform4 player is a better player (IMO) to the Real one. It also copes with a number of other formats.

http://www.mpeg-4.philips.com.

Windows and PPC only I'm afriad.

Re:realone

[JimDabell]

No. SMIL is like an XML-based Flash, developed by the W3C.

Re:On a side note... (a little OT)

[CptChipJew]

Real still offers the free player. They just make it hard to find on the site, as they always have. Typically, 99% of the site is a bunch of big graphics and text advertising their free services, and some font size=1 text with a link to the "Basic Player". I can't even remember a time when the Basic player was easy to find on the website. Here are the links to download the free player:

MacOS X
Windows

So yeah, it's there, you just have to look carefully. I'm not sure whether this is smart marketing or not, but they've always done it this way.

Re:On a side note... (a little OT)

[zdislaw]

This is totally fucked up. I've worked on a site for over five years that streams video using Real. The way they try to trick people into paying for a player is totally unethical. But check your facts. they do still offer a free player.

Here's the thing: You don't have to give your credit card number. If you were asked for a credit card number, they tricked you. You were trying to download the trial version of the full RealOne player, not the free version.

To download the free version, you need to click the [incredibly tiny] text link near the upper right corner of real.com and not the big orange button on the page that says "DOWNLOAD NOW - FREE" (read the fine print..."FREE 14 day trial."). Then is takes you to a second page where they try to trick you into downloading the trial version. Don't be fooled, click the text link at the lower left corner "Download the Free RealOne Player."

Believe it or not, this is an improvement! They have taken about three clicks out of the process.

The only info you need to give them is a [fake] email address, [fake] first name/lasname, [fake] gender (of course), bday and secret question.

I'm not a huge fan of the player, but it does pretty well and is very widely implimented. The company sucks eggs and I wish nothing but ill on them.

Re:Flash Replacement?

[rexguo]

To begin with, you will need to be able to read SWF files directly. After that, you need to implement a better renderer than Flash's vector engine. After which you need to mirror ActionScript's functionality in SMIL, probably as an extension. Finally, you need a content creation tool that's very much like Flash's IDE to have a smooth migration tool for Flash developers.

SMIL is the first true multimedia XML sibling

[Qbertino]

I worked with SMIL on some Multimedia and E-learning projects. And I must say: Allthough Realplayer looks like someone did doo-doo on your screen and their interpolation algorithms and scaling was really crappy back then (and Flash ruled everywhere) the actuall intention and scope of this language is somewhat sophisticated. It goes from simple Text and Hyperlinks all the way thourgh to serious layering and Video output.
I'd actually trust SMIL to become the 'ogg' of multimedia data and Realplay with their opening Helix initiative seem determined to actually doing something usefull to the OSS community.
Let's hope it turns out well.

SVG is the "Flash replacement"

[Pippity]

Actually, the W3C spec that most closely matches the functionality of Flash is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). It includes high quality vector graphics and effects as well as animation and scripting.

Note that this doesn't mean that it can play .SWF files, it merely provides more or less equivalent functionality.

You might want to try this.

[MeanE]

The people of Kazaa Lite fame (if I am not mistaken) created this nice little package called Real Alternative which is Media Player Classic and the Real codecs package in one.

Play those nice Real movies without the cruddy Real player!

Re:Flash Replacement?

[smallpaul]

To begin with, you will need to be able to read SWF files directly. After that, you need to implement a better renderer than Flash's vector engine. After which you need to mirror ActionScript's functionality in SMIL, probably as an extension. Finally, you need a content creation tool that's very much like Flash's IDE to have a smooth migration tool for Flash developers.

First, SMIL is not intended to be a Flash replacement. The W3C set of standards are very modular so you would put several of them together to do the sort of things Flash does. SMIL alone is not even close. But then I doubt Flash is very close to SMIL. As far as ActionScript: SMIL is a Web technology. Of course you can use ECMAScript/Javascript with it.

Easy way to find free player

[robla]

Here's the URL to the free player:

http://www.real.com/freeplayer/

No, we don't require payment for the player.

Rob

Re:Easy way to find free player (mod parent up)

[robla]

Since I agree with much of what you say, the answer to your implied question: "I don't know what pull you have over there..." is "obviously, not a lot". ;-)

I will forward your comments on, though. One thing that would be very helpful is posting your comments on our official comment form.

Rob

Re:realone

[llin]

Check out Helix's helix-client site. There've been some early developer release binaries available for quite some time.

For real world use, you're probably better off using something like mplayer w/ the realplayer-codecs or if you're using Windows, something like JetAudio, or as others have mentioned, Media Player Classic + Real codecs

SMILGen

[belial]

Just to add a note, if you're interested in authoring SMIL, but fear hand-editing,

http://www.smilgen.org/

http://sourceforge.net/projects/smilgen