MotionWavelets is a software video codec that delivers real-time, high-quality video compression to the PC-based digital video user. Powered by a wavelet-based compression engine optimized for MMX processors, MotionWavelets compresses 640x480, 30 frames per second video with VHS quality, in real time on a PII/450MHz PC.   MotionWavelets will compress greater than 60 fps 320x240 on any P/MMX 200MHz PC or above.

MotionWavelets is available as a Video for Windows (VfW) installable codec and a Software Development Kit (SDK). The Video for Windows codec can be used with any VfW-compliant capture, playback or editing application. The codec takes full advantage of DirectShow playback for maximum system performance and interfaces with WDM drivers via DirectShow Compression Filters.  The SDK allows developers to incorporate MotionWavelets’ advanced compression technology into their own applications.  This powerful toolkit is a memory to memory C/C++ API designed for ease of integration, and supported through one on one engineering technical support.   As the industry leaders in wavelet-based technologies for over a decade, Aware invites technical feasibility discussions for custom OEM wavelet implementations. Please click here to contact Aware.

The combination of the MotionWavelets codec and an inexpensive video capture device is an effective alternative to costly solutions using MPEG, Motion JPEG and other hardware capture codecs. In addition, the codec’s performance will continue to improve as faster PCs become available.

• Makers of PC video capture devices such as video capture boards, TV tuner boards and digital video cameras who want to add high quality video compression to their products at low cost and with minimal development effort.
  
  
• Developers of video-intensive software applications who desire high quality, high speed, software based compression. Example applications are: video capture, video editing, video surveillance and high bandwidth videoconferencing.
  
• Web publishers, educators, scientists, corporate trainers, industrial users and video enthusiasts who need the ability to capture and edit high quality video on their PCs, but are averse to buying costly specialized compression hardware.

Advantages of wavelet technology
Compression methods based on a mathematical technique known as wavelets are widely acknowledged as producing results superior to traditional block-based compression schemes such as JPEG. Aware, Inc., a pioneer and recognized leader in wavelet technology, incorporated its expertise in wavelets into a highly optimized software implementation for the MotionWavelets video codec. The result is a codec that not only compresses quickly, but produces high quality video that is free from the block artifacts associated with JPEG.

Key Features & Benefits

• Real time compression/decompression: MotionWavelets’ real-time compression allows video to be compressed at capture time, which saves disk space and network bandwidth. Fast decompression by MotionWavelets means quicker response when editing the compressed video and smoother playback.
  
  
• Scalability:  The MotionWavelets SDK offers the ability to extract sub-resolution video streams from real-time or captured video with no processing overhead.  For example, a 640x480 video stream can also produce a 320x240 or a 160x120 video, at any frame rate.  This is ideal for full-frame local storage along with sub-resolution low bandwidth transmission, or along with video preview.
  
• Key frames only: Like Motion JPEG, MotionWavelets uses only key frames, or I frames, which means that each compressed frame is independent of the others. This results in a compressed video file that can be edited with a minimum of recompression, thereby preserving maximum quality. Playback of randomly chosen frames or reverse playback is also faster when all frames are key frames. Other benefits are the absence of motion artifacts in the video and a more uniform compressed data rate.
  

Real time de-interlacing of 640x480 video: The MotionWavelets codec includes a single-field capture mode, which enables real time de-interlacing of an interlaced video source. De-interlacing allows high resolution (e.g. 640x480) interlaced video to be captured then played back on a progressively scanned computer display without any interlacing artifacts which, for high-motion video, can be severe.

Wide range of compression ratios/quality levels: A higher compression ratio allows you to store more compressed video files on your hard disk and to continuously capture video for a longer period of time before reaching limits imposed by maximum file or disk partition sizes. A lower compression ratio provides better video quality.

Precise control of compressed data rate: A user can accurately predict compressed file sizes and thereby avoid running out of disk space while capturing. If instead the compressed video is being transmitted over a network or channel, this feature lets the user adjust the data rate to match the available channel bandwidth.

Text overlay: The MotionWavelets Video for Windows codec provides the option to overlay the video with the date and/or time of day at the time of compression. This is useful for applications such as video surveillance and capture and compression of broadcast video. The MotionWavelets SDK supports a more general text overlay capability.

Unique Combination of Features & Performance

With its combination of high quality compression, speedy performance and special features, MotionWavelets breaks new ground for software video codecs. By taking full advantage of the impressive computing power of today’s PCs, MotionWavelets challenges the notion that real time video compression requires expensive hardware add-ons.

Specifications

For more information regarding Aware's Video compression software products, contact us today.