Thomson introduces TIGER AVC encoder for HD DVD and Blu-ray
by Richard Lawler 
posted Oct 26th 2006 at 2:37PM
Unfortunately the move to next generation discs hasn't yielded the universally great picture quality we would all like to see, but Thomson's Technicolor Content Services thinks it has the answer. Its new TIGER AVC encoding package is based on MPEG-4 / h.264 technology, but apparently tuned with various algorithms specficially chosen to provide the best results on edges and motion. Ideally, this will make it easy for replicators to provide great video quality, and leave plenty of space on disc for HDi and BD-J extras. No word on if Thomson's film grain technology is a part of the "secret sauce" that makes this encoder so noteworthy, but we'll see if yields good results.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Clifton Helpingstine @ Oct 26th 2006 4:09PM
Any word yet on what players will include this?
Andy @ Oct 26th 2006 4:55PM
It's not for players, it's for the computers that encode the files, so that they can encode a better quality video.
earthling @ Oct 27th 2006 10:29PM
There isn't a lot that they can do with the core codec and Thomson/Technicolor isn't exactly known for their software expertise so I would imagine that this technology comes from somewhere else in Thomson and its main claim to fame is (beyond Technicolor marketing) that the engine will properly process 4:2:2 to 4:2:0 downsampling, proper 10 bit to 8 bit conversion, and I would suppose it also handles patterned based dither to mask low gradient ramps such as blue sky scenes. There isn't much that they can do with the core codec itself although they may put some effort into getting the most out of bitrate control using multi-scene/mutli-pass encoding techniques. But the bottom line is this is just a vehicle for Technicolor to sell encoding services.
Obducat Tech @ Nov 1st 2006 3:51PM
Obducat and Thomson have a joint development program in which Obducat technology will be used. Obducat technology can make both Blu ray media and HD-DVD media.