1. The SMPTE 421M "VC-1" Standardization Project
Mark Jeffrey
Microsoft Corporation

2. VC-1 & Windows Media
Microsoft submitted WMV9 syntax for standardization to SMPTE in Summer 2003
SMPTE C24 standardizing WMV9 into open standard
Includes Simple, Main and Advanced Profiles
Will be known as SMPTE 421M / VC-1 when standard is published
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3. VC-1 & Windows Media WMV9 and VC-1 are identical codec technologies
WMV9 is Microsoft’s implementation of the VC-1 standard
WMV9 decoder = VC-1 decoder
Transport independence
VC-1 elementary stream can be delivered over ASF, RTP, MPEG-2 Systems
Improved system-layer design in Advanced Profile
Start codes
User data
Entry Point header
Display metadata
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4. SMPTE Standardization Process
SMPTE is producing 3 documents
VC-1 specification – SMPTE 421M
VC-1 conformance – SMPTE RP228
VC-1 transport – SMPTE RP227
Over 60 companies working on VC-1 in SMPTE
Participants represent broad segments of the digital video industry (Content providers; CE, Chip, Encoder, Test equipment manufacturers; DTV Operators)
Standard is quality-driven
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5. SMPTE Standardization Process
September 2003
WD1
WD4 CD
ballot
March 2004
CD1
CD1r5 CD
ballot
November 2004
CD2
CD2r3
FCD
ballot
April 2005
FCD1 DS
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6. Towards Draft Standard…
All 3 documents recently achieved FCD status
FCD status means VC-1 specification is technically stable and opens the gates to DS (Draft Standard) balloting
Reference decoder implementation and conformance bit streams available to SMPTE members
FCD status means VC-1
is normatively stable, in other words,
no substantial technical changes are expected AND it is
,technically stable enough to begin product development
As the next step, all three documents will undergo Draft Standard (DS) ballot. After successful completion of the DS ballots, the documents will be issued for Trial Publication.
The VC-1 test materials have generated tremendous interest with dozens of evaluators obtaining and reviewing the test materials. More than 240 reference bit streams covering all VC-1 profiles are included with the reference decoder to assist in verification of the proposed standard and to aid implementation of conformant VC-1 decoders.
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7. Other Standards and Consortia
DVD Forum:
Group mandated MPEG-2, VC-1 and H.264 for next gen HD DVD players
Blu-ray:
Group mandated MPEG-2, VC-1 and H.264 as formats for next gen BD players
FVD:
Group mandated only VC-1
Other:
VC-1 optional in DLNA, becoming part of DVB spec set, under ATSC consideration, …
Benefit:
Rapidly growing ecosystem support for VC-1
In addition to SMPTE, VC-1 is under consideration by a number of standards and industry organizations and has already been adopted as a mandatory codec for all leading next generation DVD formats, Blu-ray, HD DVD and FVD an new DVD standard for China and Taiwan. Completion of the work within SMPTE is a critical step toward broader standardization allowing interested organizations to make a simple normative reference to a SMPTE Standard, avoiding the adoption of different versions of the technology by different organizations.
FVD – red-laser, will be deployed this year
DLNA – Digital Living Network Alliance, developing interoperability guidelines for seamless home networks
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8. Chips and DSPs
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9. Professional Video Products
VC-1 is also being used in professional video broadcast production and delivery. All of these leading industry companies currently have products on the market that support VC-1. The products range from encoders and decoders to professional video test equipment.
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10. 16-bit integer transforms
VC-1 vs. H Features
8x8 and 4x4 adaptive block size
Frequency-dependent dequantization matrix
CABAC or VLC
Long filters for MC
Complex loop filter
Spatial intra prediction
Multi-picture arbitrary-order referencing
Intra PCM
8x8, 4x8, 8x4, 4x4 adaptive block size
Frequency-independent dequantization scaling
VLC-based entropy coding
4 tap bicubic filters for MC
Relatively-simple loop filter
Overlap intra filtering
Range reduction/expansion
Resolution red./exp.
Block motion
16-bit integer transforms
Bit-exact spec
Fading prediction
Loop filter
Now I would like to focus a bit on the details of the codec itself. As you can see from this slide, VC-1 shares some of the same features as H In fact, this overlap in feature sets is a major reason why many companies are currently integrating both codecs into the same chip.
You’ll also notice, though, that there are many differences in features. One reason is how the codecs were designed. The coding techniques used in H.264 were originally designed for low-resolution (e.g., CIF), low-rate video with HD support added later.
4x4 Transform, “strong” loop-filter, 6-tap motion compensation, etc.
result is softer video with less detail
On the other hand, the coding techniques in VC-1 were designed considering both low-resolution, low-rate video and HD, high rate video.
4x4, 4x8, 8x4, 8x8 Adaptive Block Transforms (ABT), “texture-adaptive” loop-filter, 4-tap motion compensation, etc.
result is sharper video with more detail
One example of where the techniques make a difference is the Adaptive block transform. Independent research studies have demonstrated that the Adaptive block transform used in VC-1 gives
Better reproduction of textures and film grain
Fewer ringing artifacts at edges when using 4x4 blocks
Key factor in improved perceptual quality, especially for HD video
(Gordon, JVT-H029, May 03; Wien, IEEE CSVT, July 03)
Training set has a big impact on the end result
H.264
VC-1
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11. VC-1 vs. H.264 - Quality Both codecs approximately
2-3x better than MPEG-2
2x better than MPEG-4
VC-1 achieved best quality in independent studies
2 rounds of DVD Forum tests for HD, Oct-Dec 02
C’T Magazine codec evaluation, May 03
DV Magazine evaluation for HD codecs, Oct 03
C’T Magazine HD codec evaluation, May 05
Most consistent quality in EBU tests, Oct 04
In all of these studies, many different codecs were tested including
MPEG-2
various implementations of MPEG-4
various implementations of H.264 and
Real video
DV magazine - ProCoder MPEG-2, Sorenson MPEG-4, Real9, VC-1 (WMV-9)
C’T Magazine - Dicas MPEG-4, DivX 5.0.4, VSS H.264/AVC, On2 VP3.1, QT 6.1, Real9, Sorenson 3.1 Pro, Sorenson MPEG-4, VC-1 (WMV-9), XVid MPEG-4
DVD Forum - 9 codecs total, including several RD optimized implementations of MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264/AVC
EBU - Real 9, VC-1 (WMV-9), Envivio MPEG-4, Apple MPEG-4
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12. VC-1 vs. H Complexity
VC-1 decoding is > 2x faster than H.264 decoding
H.264 ~ 3-4x slower than MPEG-2 MP / MPEG-4 SP
Based on H.264’s own studies
VC-1 ~ 1.5x slower than MPEG-2 MP / MPEG-4 SP
Based on empirical data, e.g., testing VC-1 (WMV-9) vs. MPEG-4 SP in PCs
1080p VC-1 software decoding possible on today’s PCs
DVD companion discs with 720/1080p
Codec complexity is another important issue critical factor. In the hardware space, lower complexity means less silicon, lower cost and fewer heat issues.
Complexity was taken into account during the design process for VC-1, with careful consideration given to various alternative designs. As a result, VC-1 decoding is more than 2x faster than H.264 decoding. And full 1080p decoding is possible on today’s off the shelf PCs.
Biggest difference is seen with DSP implementations. Companies can do more on a single DSP with VC-1 because it’s easier to implement. For example, Equator has been able to support both SD and HD (up to 720p) on a single DSP.
Equator BP-15 : VC-1 SD and HD (up to 720p)
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13. Microsoft Tools Windows Media Encoder VC-1 Porting Kit RTM
5 speed settings: super real-time to best quality
Free download
VC-1 Porting Kit RTM
Fully aligned with latest SMPTE VC-1 specification
Comes with set of conformance test vectors
Encoder and Decoder Porting Kit
MPEG-2 Utility Package beta
ASF  MPEG-2 Transport conversion utilities
Encoder utility with direct encapsulation into MPEG-2 Transport
RTM scheduled for mid-2005
to get PK, go to
there is a nominal licensing fee
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14. Conformance Testing Program
Program available for licensees
New tools to facilitate initial self-conformance
Microsoft validates the submissions
VC-1 Elementary Stream analyzer tool will be available soon
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15. VC-1 Platform Support
Windows Media platform includes VC-1 and enables integration of all A/V devices in networked home
In terms of the complete Home Media Ecosystem, new emerging content delivery and distribution models enable the transfer of video content among devices on the home network. As mentioned earlier, the Digital Living Network Alliance is developing guidelines to ensure seamless interoperability in the home. A codec is only one of many necessary pieces.
VC-1 (WMV-9) facilitates interoperability, being part of a platform that includes:
Flexible Digital Rights Management adopted by all major Studios and Music Labels (e.g., MovieLink, CinemaNow, …)
Flexible, scalable Server
Popular Windows Media Player and MovieMaker
1000’s of 3rd-party SW/HW solutions supporting this platform, including chips, STBs, CE devices, etc.
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16. Why VC-1?
Requires less computational power and can be decoded at full 1080i/p resolution on today’s off-the-shelf PC
Advanced Profile delivers compression efficiencies far superior to MPEG-2
Delivers HD content at bit rates as low as 6-8 Mbps
Better visual quality demonstrated in independent tests
In summary, VC-1 is a high quality codec. It is based on the compression efficiencies and scalability of the Window Media Video 9 codec so content creators and distributors can offer higher quality content with less bandwidth.
(read bullets)
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17. Why VC-1?
SMPTE VC-1 is nearing standardization and widespread adoption is underway through the implementation of WMV9
VC-1 is fueling the coming wave of HD content everywhere – from next generation DVDs, set top boxes, PCs and more
VC-1 is being adopted by industry leaders in the broadcast, content and wireless industries for new and innovative backend solutions and delivery services
Momentum and growing ecosystem support...
second bullet – In fact, Warner Bros. recently selected VC-1 for their upcoming HD-DVD titles.
examples of backend solutions and delivery services
IPTV – new infrastructure, less cost, less memory required
broadband delivery of movies
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18. Backup Slides