Win 10 codec fun and games

[jch2103]

For those who are keeping track of codecs in Windows 10, here's an update (mostly about video codecs): https://www.anandtech.com/show/12106/hevc-and-the-windows-10-fall-creators-update
(The article comments could be of interest also.)

[Mario]

Not sure that many users will even miss the HEVC video codec. Only users who use the Microsoft video player on a device (graphic card, motherboard) which does not have HEVC support built-in. Almost all modern graphic cards and Intel CPUs have that built-in already.

What bugs me more is that Apple/Nokia/MEPG are trying to push another image format big time - HEIF.
This format has so many software patents (and hence requirements to pay license fees) that I've stopped counting.

[jch2103]

I found some remarks in the Comments interesting about the AV1 initiative. I don't know how well founded they are but it would be useful to see an open source initiative emerge eventually.

[Mario]

Google tried with a patent-free video and file format. And failed. The OpenRAW initiative failed years ago.
A new video format depends heavily on content providers, hardware vendors, wide-spread support on all operating systems etc.
It can be done, look at KODI or VLC.
We'll see.

[Grossi]

I've never even heard of the OpenRAW initiative. I guess that speaks about its 'success.' Thank god for VLC.