neoufo51 used our newssubmit to tell us that Apple has released a beta version of Quicktime 6, supporting MPEG-4 video and AAC audio and introducing Apples patent pending skip protection.
MPEG-4 is not, as many of you probably think, the follow up of MP3 (MPEG 1, Layer III) but
MPEG-4 is designed to deliver DVD (MPEG-2) quality video at lower data rates and smaller file sizes. The AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) provides much more efficient compression than MP3 with a quality rivaling that of uncompressed CD audio.
Here's what's new with QuickTime 6 (in addition to all of the stellar features in QuickTime 5):
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MPEG-4 File Format (.mp4): Since the QuickTime file format is at the foundation of MPEG-4, QuickTime 6 supports .mp4 files as first-class citizens. So with QuickTime 6, you can author professional-quality, ISO-compliant MPEG-4 audio and video files that can be played back not only by QuickTime 6, but by any other MPEG-4-compliant player.
MPEG-4 Video: The high-performance MPEG-4 video codec included in QuickTime 6 provides the highest quality results across a wide spectrum of data rates '” from narrowband to broadband and beyond. This revolutionary codec offers compression times and video quality that rival those of the best proprietary codecs, yet it provides interoperability with other MPEG-4 players and devices.
AAC Audio: AAC is the new standard in professional audio. It provides more efficient compression than older formats such as MP3, yet delivers quality rivaling that of uncompressed CD audio. The QuickTime AAC codec builds upon new, state-of-the-art signal processing technology from Dolby Labs, and brings true variable bit rate (VBR) encoding to QuickTime. Listen for yourself in the MPEG-4 (AAC) Audio Gallery.
Instant-On: Instant-On means instant gratification for broadband users. Instant-On gives you an immediate and smooth playback experience '” and instant access as you jump or 'scrub" through a movie using the time slider.
Skip Protection: Apple's patent-pending technology for preventing interruptions or skips in streaming media just got better. QuickTime 6 and QuickTime Streaming Server 4 iron out the bandwidth bumps on the 'information super-highway."
Updated User Interface: QuickTime 6 includes up-to-date access to the best in QuickTime content as well as a new, easy-to-use 'Favorites" interface.
If you want to learn more about MPEG-4 you should read on here (always handy in converstations where people will claim it's follow up of MP3), if you want more information on Apple's Quicktime and want to download their beta, then go here.
Source: Apple.com
