| RealVideo is a proprietary video codec developed by RealNetworks. It was first
released in 1997 and as of 2004 is at
version 10.
RealVideo has historically been used to deliver streaming video
across IP networks at low bit rates to desktop personal computers. Today's prevalence of broadband is seeing RealVideo put to even greater use as bigger pipes allow video to be encoded at higher
bitrates resulting in increased quality and clarity. With mobile carriers starting to offer data services to customers with
enabled handsets, it enables consumers to watch video on their mobile
phones, be it today's news highlights or even live
television.
RealVideo differs from conventional video codecs in that it has been optimized for
streaming via the proprietary PNA protocol or the newer standardized Real Time Streaming Protocol. It can be used for
download and play (dubbed on-demand), or for live streaming.
RealVideo is usually paired with RealAudio and packaged in a RealMedia (.rm) container. The main desktop media player for RealMedia content is
RealNetworks' RealPlayer, currently at version 10. The open source program MPlayer can also play
these files and streams.
With RealPlayer, it is not possible to save RealVideo streams to a file; MPlayer
and StreamBox VCR can be used
for this purpose.
Software capable of RealVideo output
- RealProducer (http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/index.html) by RealVideo
- Cleaner
XL (http://www4.discreet.com/cleanerxl/)
- Real Alternative (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm)
External links
|
