SUNNYVALE, CA–(Marketwire – July 7, 2009) – Stretch Inc., the pioneer and leader in software configurable processors, today announced the integration of its H.264 Scalable Video CODEC (SVC) into the Stretch Intelligent Encoder. H.264 SVC joins H.264 AVC, MPEG4, and MJPEG as a plug-in for the Intelligent Encoder framework and is available for all Stretch reference designs and OEM DVR add-in cards.
H.264 SVC is the next generation video compression technology standardized by the Joint Video Team of ITU-T and ISO/IEC. H.264 SVC finds particular value in surveillance applications, where video needs to be transmitted and stored at different frame rates and resolutions, depending upon bandwidth or storage limitations. Unique to Stretch’s implementation, H.264 SVC is easily decoded by H.264 AVC compliant decoders. This combination of flexibility and backward compatibility enables video to be streamed to and viewed by any network-connected device, making possible Video Anywhere.
Explaining the flexibility afforded by the new CODEC, Albert Wang, Stretch CTO and founder, said, “The layered structured of SVC means that the stream can be resized before being transmitted over networks of constrained bandwidth. As remote security monitoring becomes more common, SVC provides operators an easier and more cost effective means of supporting dispersed locations and mobile personnel.”
SVC uses a layered approach to video compression in which a base layer of minimum resolution, frame rate and quality is compressed first. Additional layers of incrementally higher frame rate, resolution, or quality are then encoded using only the information needed to enhance the previous layer to the desired degree. Once stored on a hard drive, files are easily modified to remove layers in order to reduce the frame rate, quality, or resolution, recovering valuable storage space. Stretch’s H.264 SVC implementation includes the ability to extract H.264 AVC compliant streams in real time, ensuring compatibility with existing H.264 infrastructure.
“SVC is an ideal solution for the challenges faced by the surveillance industry,” said Bob Beachler, Stretch vice president of marketing. “As the industry moves towards high-definition solutions, either HDcctv or IP network camera based, the ability to scale video becomes increasingly critical. The ability to dynamically size video dependent upon bandwidth constraints or decoder performance realizes the vision of Video Anywhere. With the release of Stretch SVC, we expect H.264 SVC to rapidly become the CODEC of choice for the surveillance industry.”
The Stretch SVC plug-in for the Intelligent Encoder is available immediately. Contact Stretch for pricing information.
About Stretch
Stretch Inc. is the world leader in software configurable processors, the first to embed programmable logic within the processor. Using familiar C/C++ programming tools, system developers automatically configure Stretch’s off-the-shelf processors to achieve extraordinary performance, easy and rapid development, significant cost savings, and flexibility to address diverse markets and changing application needs. Stretch devices are used in video processing, machine vision and wireless applications worldwide. For more information, visit www.stretchinc.com.
Stretch and the Stretch logo are registered trademarks of Stretch Inc.
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