Web Developer® -- Multimedia Web

a Wednesday feature

Internet Video Product Comparison
This week I offer a table comparing four video products: Streamworks from Xing Technologies, VDOLive from VDO, Enhanced CU-SeeMe from White Pine, and Vivo Active from Vivo. All the information comes straight from the companies themselves--compiled from answers to a questionaire I sent to all of them.

A Comparison of Web Video Products

Product Xing Streamworks VDOLive Enhanced CU-SeeMe
from White Pine Vivo

Overall Performance

Frames/sec on 28.8K, 14.4K The nature of the Internet is unreliable. That said, we can normally squeeze about 3 frames per second over a 28.8 modem and 1 frame per second over a 14.4 modem. Basically VDOLive material can achieve 10 fps (sometimes more) at 28.8kbps at resolution 160x120.
More frames per second are achievable at the expense of lower resolution or picture quality. The answer also depends on the original video content. For "head-and-shoulders" the achievable quality and frames per second are higher than for "action movies."
28.8 will only allow 2-3 fps for audio and video communications; 14.4 will only allow audio. We recommend 10 fps for good quality over modem connections.
The performance is author controlled.

Color "true color" Video always includes color, and it uses color coding that does not dilute the colorness of the picture. Enhanced CUSeeMe supports 24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale. Will take color, black and white, or greyscale input.

Client Software

Price Client available free via Web. Client available free via Web or through bundles. List price $99. Client available free via Web.

Mac & Windows versions? Mac, Windows and Unix. Client supported for PowerMac. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51, and 4.0. All supported as "external application," Netscape plug-in, and ActiveX Control (OCX) for Explorer. Windows, Windows 95, Macintosh and Power Macintosh, and cross-platform compatible. Win3.11, Win95, WinNT, PowerMac.

File Size 400K 450K PowerMac 1.4 MB, Windows 3.1 MB Win3.11 697K, Win95/NT 726K, PowerMac 776K

Number of downloads to date Prior to changing from version 1.x to version 2.0, we estimate that over 2 million StreamWorks players had been downloaded. We recently changed over to the newer version and have not issued the first count of downloads. Over 1.5 million downloaded players. Average rate of 45K per month since July 96. 150,000

Other Distribution Factors (bundles) The StreamWorks server software is bundled currently with the SGI WebFORCE server. We have received very positive feedback from that bundle thus far. We are the only video player bundled with MS Explorer CD. We are bundled also with a number of CDs provided by ISPs to users. Our player and editing tools come bundled with Adobe Premier 4.2 and higher. Our VDOPhone and VDOLive Player come bundled with Packard Bell PCs. Distribution Channels:
Ingram Micro D
Tech Data

OEM Bundles (camera, video board, software):
Winnov
Digital Vision
VideoLabs
None

Server Software

Platforms The Server software is compatible with Unix and WinNT Win NT, Win 95, all UNIX platforms (even IBM's Unix) Reflector Features
Supports 11 UNIX platforms including SUN, HP, IBM, Linux, DEC, and more
Available for Windows NT and Windows 95 on Intel, and Windows NT on Digital Alpha and PowerPC

We are a serverless solution. The information is transferred using standard HTTP protocol. We have the VivoActive Producer, which converts the AVI to VIVO format. Along with the VivoActive Player (plug-in), that is all you need. Win95 and WinNT. Plan to release PowerMac at end of month.

Price The typical price is $6,000 for audio only and $10,000 for 100 streams of audio and video. The range is from $800 to $18,000. 100 streams $11,995 10 Client Conference $395
25 Client Conference $695
50 Client Conference $895

Site license pricing available.
VivoActive Producer for Windows95 and WindowsNT is available in quantities of 1-5 units for $495.

Able to handle users at varying bandwidths at same time Yes, in fact, the number of users totally depends on their incoming bandwidths and your outgoing bandwidth. We can send out an ISDN-level stream, and anyone with a 9600-baud modem up to ISDN can receive the stream. This process of "thinning" is totally transparent to the user in version 2.0. "Thinning" enables a stream to intelligently drop frames of video to squeeze into the various modems of endusers (frames, not packets). The server communicates with each client and sends the correct amount of information to each client according to the effective bandwidth of the connection, and scales up and down during the connection (Internet bandwidth changes with time). For each client the bandwidth is estimated in real time and is completely independent of does not affect the other clients Automatic bandwidth adjustment based on sender/receiver connections Based on server where video is stored.

handles real-time input The transmitter and the server encodes and delivers a raw audio and video imput in real time. VDOLive supports real-time input (VDOLive Broadcast Server). Yes No. We accept AVI (or Quicktime for the PowerMac version) then convert and compress it to our VIVO format.

Includes audio Actually many of our customers are audio only. The encoding process can be MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or Low Bit Rate (LBR). It is optimized for speech and high quality. Audio is included all the time. An audio-only server can also be purchased. Yes Yes. We would convert and compress the audio and video together from the AVI (or Quicktime for the PowerMac version) file.

Distinguishing Characteristics
The most distinguishing feature of Xing is that we have established ourselves as experts in digital audio and video compression over the past 6 years. We have participated in standards boards, such as JPEG and MPEG. We are committed to providing a complete solution. We currently enable you to do any of the following 7 activities with our software/hardware:

1. file-based MPEG encoding in real time--Xing MPEG Encoder

2. file-based MPEG playback in real time--XING MPEG Player--having shipped well over 4 million copies (this enables you to play any MPEG files on the Net)

3. on-demand MPEG-1, MPEG -2, LBR audio only--StreamWorks software

4. on-demand MPEG audio and video--StreamWorks hardware/software; XingMPEG is also compatible

5. Live MPEG-1, MPEG-2, LBR audio only--StreamWorks hardware/software

6. Live MPEG audio and video--StreamWorks hardware/software

7. Propagation of audio and video streams--StreamWorks software--enabling you to increase the amount of simultaneous end-users.

We think that pursuing this "complete solution" business plan and building on our experience will inevitably lead to our long-term viability.

The distinguishing characteristic of VDOnet systems is its scalability. By using a Wavelet compression scheme the systems are able to effectively scale in bandwidth according to the user connection and to the actual Internet load.

A sophisticated protocol for streaming over the Internet and communicating the network load to the video compression allows for best performance. Standard video compression solutions such as MPEG and H.261 were targeted for non-lossy, guaranteed bandwidth connections such as playing from a CD-ROM or through a dedicated, expensive ISDN, or multiple ISDN line.

VDOnet video compression solutions were designed especially for the Internet, which is a nonguaranteed, nonfix bandwidth network. Therefore, VDOnet performance is amazing to most viewers. VDOnet also distinguishes itself by the VDOPhone line of products, which is the best video conferencing application available today for the Internet, and the first video product integrated with Microsoft's NetMeeting.

Participants:
View up to 8 participant windows
Unlimited number for audio and talk window
Whiteboard for collaboration during conferences; supports multiple users
Mosaic browser support for direct launch of CU-SeeMe from Web page
Selectable audio compression algorithms with 100ms and 50ms sampling settings:
2.4k and 8.5k audio codecs to support 14.4k and 28.8k modem connections;
16k and 32k codecs for higher bandwidth connections

Server:
Supports multicasting to reduce network traffic
Access control--public or restricted IP address
Password control for conference security
Cybercast--one video stream to many participants
Chain Reflectors for larger audiences

Client:
Caller ID--message alert box for incoming calls
Color Support--24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale
Phone Book--Save, add, edit participant and reflectors
There are several distinguishing characteristics of the VivoActive Product Family. First, we don't require any special server software, so we are a great solution for System Administrators. This also affects the cost of our solution. Users are not charged per stream; they are charged a one-time fee of $495. Since the videos are transferred using standard protocols (HTTP and TCP/IP) rather than proprietary protocols under UDP, viewers sitting behind firewalls can view VIVO videos. The VivoActive Producer compresses standard AVI files up to 200:1 for viewing over standard modem connections. You also may want to know that we offer a plug-in for Netscape and an ActiveX control for Internet Explorer 3.0.

Past installments of Multimedia Web

A Comparison of Web Video Products
Product	Xing Streamworks	VDOLive	Enhanced CU-SeeMe from White Pine	Vivo
Overall Performance
Frames/sec on 28.8K, 14.4K	The nature of the Internet is unreliable. That said, we can normally squeeze about 3 frames per second over a 28.8 modem and 1 frame per second over a 14.4 modem.	Basically VDOLive material can achieve 10 fps (sometimes more) at 28.8kbps at resolution 160x120. More frames per second are achievable at the expense of lower resolution or picture quality. The answer also depends on the original video content. For "head-and-shoulders" the achievable quality and frames per second are higher than for "action movies."	28.8 will only allow 2-3 fps for audio and video communications; 14.4 will only allow audio.	We recommend 10 fps for good quality over modem connections. The performance is author controlled.
Color	"true color"	Video always includes color, and it uses color coding that does not dilute the colorness of the picture.	Enhanced CUSeeMe supports 24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale.	Will take color, black and white, or greyscale input.
Client Software
Price	Client available free via Web.	Client available free via Web or through bundles.	List price $99.	Client available free via Web.
Mac & Windows versions?	Mac, Windows and Unix.	Client supported for PowerMac. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51, and 4.0. All supported as "external application," Netscape plug-in, and ActiveX Control (OCX) for Explorer.	Windows, Windows 95, Macintosh and Power Macintosh, and cross-platform compatible.	Win3.11, Win95, WinNT, PowerMac.
File Size	400K	450K	PowerMac 1.4 MB, Windows 3.1 MB	Win3.11 697K, Win95/NT 726K, PowerMac 776K
Number of downloads to date	Prior to changing from version 1.x to version 2.0, we estimate that over 2 million StreamWorks players had been downloaded. We recently changed over to the newer version and have not issued the first count of downloads.	Over 1.5 million downloaded players.	Average rate of 45K per month since July 96.	150,000
Other Distribution Factors (bundles)	The StreamWorks server software is bundled currently with the SGI WebFORCE server. We have received very positive feedback from that bundle thus far.	We are the only video player bundled with MS Explorer CD. We are bundled also with a number of CDs provided by ISPs to users. Our player and editing tools come bundled with Adobe Premier 4.2 and higher. Our VDOPhone and VDOLive Player come bundled with Packard Bell PCs.	Distribution Channels: Ingram Micro D Tech Data OEM Bundles (camera, video board, software): Winnov Digital Vision VideoLabs	None
Server Software
Platforms	The Server software is compatible with Unix and WinNT	Win NT, Win 95, all UNIX platforms (even IBM's Unix)	Reflector Features Supports 11 UNIX platforms including SUN, HP, IBM, Linux, DEC, and more Available for Windows NT and Windows 95 on Intel, and Windows NT on Digital Alpha and PowerPC	We are a serverless solution. The information is transferred using standard HTTP protocol. We have the VivoActive Producer, which converts the AVI to VIVO format. Along with the VivoActive Player (plug-in), that is all you need. Win95 and WinNT. Plan to release PowerMac at end of month.
Price	The typical price is $6,000 for audio only and $10,000 for 100 streams of audio and video. The range is from $800 to $18,000.	100 streams $11,995	10 Client Conference $395 25 Client Conference $695 50 Client Conference $895 Site license pricing available.	VivoActive Producer for Windows95 and WindowsNT is available in quantities of 1-5 units for $495.
Able to handle users at varying bandwidths at same time	Yes, in fact, the number of users totally depends on their incoming bandwidths and your outgoing bandwidth. We can send out an ISDN-level stream, and anyone with a 9600-baud modem up to ISDN can receive the stream. This process of "thinning" is totally transparent to the user in version 2.0. "Thinning" enables a stream to intelligently drop frames of video to squeeze into the various modems of endusers (frames, not packets).	The server communicates with each client and sends the correct amount of information to each client according to the effective bandwidth of the connection, and scales up and down during the connection (Internet bandwidth changes with time). For each client the bandwidth is estimated in real time and is completely independent of does not affect the other clients	Automatic bandwidth adjustment based on sender/receiver connections	Based on server where video is stored.
handles real-time input	The transmitter and the server encodes and delivers a raw audio and video imput in real time.	VDOLive supports real-time input (VDOLive Broadcast Server).	Yes	No. We accept AVI (or Quicktime for the PowerMac version) then convert and compress it to our VIVO format.
Includes audio	Actually many of our customers are audio only. The encoding process can be MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or Low Bit Rate (LBR). It is optimized for speech and high quality.	Audio is included all the time. An audio-only server can also be purchased.	Yes	Yes. We would convert and compress the audio and video together from the AVI (or Quicktime for the PowerMac version) file.
Distinguishing Characteristics	The most distinguishing feature of Xing is that we have established ourselves as experts in digital audio and video compression over the past 6 years. We have participated in standards boards, such as JPEG and MPEG. We are committed to providing a complete solution. We currently enable you to do any of the following 7 activities with our software/hardware: 1. file-based MPEG encoding in real time--Xing MPEG Encoder 2. file-based MPEG playback in real time--XING MPEG Player--having shipped well over 4 million copies (this enables you to play any MPEG files on the Net) 3. on-demand MPEG-1, MPEG -2, LBR audio only--StreamWorks software 4. on-demand MPEG audio and video--StreamWorks hardware/software; XingMPEG is also compatible 5. Live MPEG-1, MPEG-2, LBR audio only--StreamWorks hardware/software 6. Live MPEG audio and video--StreamWorks hardware/software 7. Propagation of audio and video streams--StreamWorks software--enabling you to increase the amount of simultaneous end-users. We think that pursuing this "complete solution" business plan and building on our experience will inevitably lead to our long-term viability.	The distinguishing characteristic of VDOnet systems is its scalability. By using a Wavelet compression scheme the systems are able to effectively scale in bandwidth according to the user connection and to the actual Internet load. A sophisticated protocol for streaming over the Internet and communicating the network load to the video compression allows for best performance. Standard video compression solutions such as MPEG and H.261 were targeted for non-lossy, guaranteed bandwidth connections such as playing from a CD-ROM or through a dedicated, expensive ISDN, or multiple ISDN line. VDOnet video compression solutions were designed especially for the Internet, which is a nonguaranteed, nonfix bandwidth network. Therefore, VDOnet performance is amazing to most viewers. VDOnet also distinguishes itself by the VDOPhone line of products, which is the best video conferencing application available today for the Internet, and the first video product integrated with Microsoft's NetMeeting.	Participants: View up to 8 participant windows Unlimited number for audio and talk window Whiteboard for collaboration during conferences; supports multiple users Mosaic browser support for direct launch of CU-SeeMe from Web page Selectable audio compression algorithms with 100ms and 50ms sampling settings: 2.4k and 8.5k audio codecs to support 14.4k and 28.8k modem connections; 16k and 32k codecs for higher bandwidth connections Server: Supports multicasting to reduce network traffic Access control--public or restricted IP address Password control for conference security Cybercast--one video stream to many participants Chain Reflectors for larger audiences Client: Caller ID--message alert box for incoming calls Color Support--24-bit true color and 4-bit greyscale Phone Book--Save, add, edit participant and reflectors	There are several distinguishing characteristics of the VivoActive Product Family. First, we don't require any special server software, so we are a great solution for System Administrators. This also affects the cost of our solution. Users are not charged per stream; they are charged a one-time fee of $495. Since the videos are transferred using standard protocols (HTTP and TCP/IP) rather than proprietary protocols under UDP, viewers sitting behind firewalls can view VIVO videos. The VivoActive Producer compresses standard AVI files up to 200:1 for viewing over standard modem connections. You also may want to know that we offer a plug-in for Netscape and an ActiveX control for Internet Explorer 3.0.