[x264-devel] CALL FOR MPEG4-AVC/H.264 CODECS

[Dmitriy Vatolin]

Dear developers,

  As we know - many H.264 developers from several companies subscribed
  to this list. Hope your codec is deserving to participate in our
  comparison as well as x264. :)

  Also you can vote for other codecs including writing to
  videocodec-testing at graphics.cs.msu.ru

  Official invitation below:

  ----

  As usual Moscow State University Graphics & Multimedia Laboratory
  starts next 6-th H.264 codecs comparison.

  Most interesting features this year:

  * Objective comparison will be extended with subjective with
    leading codecs visual comparison.

    Also will be testes psycho-visual options and visual quality
    during fade effects.

  * We release system of extensive tests of codecs with improper
    interface (like GUI only). ALL available options of such codecs
    will be tested, so option choice for comparison will be correct
    now.

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    If you want to see some codec in our comparison - please let us
    know! We will summarize votes and will add the most interesting
    codecs. Please write us now. This can be not only H.264, but also
    VC-1 or another (even proprietary).
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Below is information for codec developers:

===========================================================================
                    CALL FOR MPEG4-AVC/H.264 CODECS
                  Sixth H.264 video codec comparison
For practical researchers and developers in the field of high-end video compression
===========================================================================

Scope of Test
-------------

* Encoding time, speed/quality analysis
* Objective quality measurements (PSNR, SSIM, Average Advantage, etc.)
* Analysis of averaged objective results
* Leaders in different areas

Important Dates
---------------

January, 29   -  Deadline for preliminary receipt of a H.264 codecs
February, 8   -  Deadline for receipt of a H.264 codec with required presets
March, 2      -  Deadline for settling technical problems with codec’s functioning
March, 24     -  Draft version of report that will be sent to all participants
April, 1      -  Deadline for reception of comments to the draft
April, 7      -  Comparison report release


Enhancements in comparison to Previous H.264/AVC Comparison
-----------------------------------------------------------

This comparison will includes some new features, that previous comparisons do not include

* Subjective comparison for the codes

* More codecs - we will include codecs available from the Internet and
  will choose optimal presets by Option Analysis

* Comparison between Pareto optimal presets between different codecs

* Effectiveness analysis of some encoder options
  (see example at Options Analysis of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Codec x264)
  http://compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/x264_options_analysis_08_en.html

* New video sequences


Developer Deliverables
----------------------

The following deliverables should be provided by each developer:
* Codec files (CLI executable file is preferable)
* Short description of codec parameters
* Codec's presets with mentioning what H.264/AVC profiles are used

The full text of Call for Codecs is available at
http://compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/call_for_codecs_10.html

Variants of Participation
-------------------------

There are two variants for companies to participate in our comparison:

1. Participation for free. All results of your codec will be published, 
   except special cases of measurements problems due to codec
   instability.

2. Private participation. A special report will be prepared only for your
   company. This report contains:
   * Your codec results and all material from the free version
   * Special additional analysis of your codec

   If you are interested in the private participation, please contact us
   for details.

Also codec can be added into comparison by votes of professional
auditory.

Useful Links
------------

* Call for codecs-2010
  http://compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/call_for_codecs_10.html

* Fifth Annual MSU MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Video Codec Comparison
  http://www.compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/mpeg-4_avc_h264_2009_en.html

* Options Analysis of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Codec x264
  http://compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/x264_options_analysis_08_en.html


Sincerely yours,
 Dr. Vatolin