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BBC Wants Help With Dirac Codec

Posted by michael on from the fawlty-towers dept.

Number Ten Ox writes "According to The Register the BBC wants help to develop their open source video codec Dirac. '[Lead developer Dr. Thomas] Davies said the codec could live on anything from mobile phones to high-definition TVs but not before a lot of further work is completed. For one thing, Dirac doesn't currently work in real-time. Davies also reckons that the compression offered by the technology could be further optimised. The BBC is working on integrating the technology with its other systems, but the corporation would welcome more help in developing Dirac.' Sounds like something worth helping with."

6 of 296 comments (clear)

  1. BBC + Codec = Not Free by L3on · · Score: 0, Troll
    I'm sure this codec is a great idea, but I'm also sure there is a free equivlent to it that makes alot more sense. The BBC, just like any other rational business, is out to make money off of this while the rest of the world could benifit greatly from it. Then again, the current codec situation isn't that peachy. Divx, one of the more popular codecs is packaged with spyware up the wazoo and has been for sometime.

    Furthermore, if and when the BBC has a working codec will they be held responsible for copywrited material translated into it? I'd like to see the outcome from a lawsuit between the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) and the BBC reguarding thier codec being used as a good way to view movies.

    1. Re:BBC + Codec = Not Free by Blitzenn · · Score: -1, Troll

      It IS a business. Just because the government runs it does disqualify it from being a business. It competes with other broadcasters. It accepts advertising dollars. They provide a product. They hire staff. They pay bills. But their not a business? Get a life moron. They are a business just like all others. It doesn't matter where the money comes from. Secondly they are actually attempting to become self sufficient, meaning that they generate all of their own dollars and no longer have to syphon off the taxpayer dollars.

  2. Me too by Reckless+Visionary · · Score: -1, Troll

    I'm also launching an effort to create a new video codec, because the more codecs the better, and I only like things that I do because all the other codecs 5ux0r5. But I don't really know ho to make a good codec, and it doesn't really work at all right now, so I need your help, thanks. Oh, I'm against the war, so that should seal the deal, thanks.

    --
    I think I'll stop here.
  3. Lets stop paying for all software by Blitzenn · · Score: -1, Troll

    Then I can be out of a job too. Yea lets all help the BBC put their staff of IT people out of work too. Companies have to learn that Open Source doesn't mean you, as a company, can get everyone to do the work you need for free. Here is a blatant case of a company that needs a product but is unwilling to pay for it because they believe they will get it for nothing if they sweet talk the open source community.

  4. Re:This CODEC is a good thing! by Blitzenn · · Score: 0, Troll

    When you spend your free time working on this, take an extra moment to think about the BBC IT staff that was just laid off. Think about the meals you are taking out of those children's mouths becaue the BBC felt they didn't need the staff when they could get the work done for free. Just try to remember that people are really being hurt by allowing the BBC to make use of your free time instead of paying their own staff to do the work. Maybe you will offer to spend an hour a week cleaning their offices too? I am sure they would like to cut that staff as well.

  5. *** NEWSFLASH! *** by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The world doesn't need another codec.