Very interesting development this.
Quote:
Dirac began as a project to compress high-definition TV but researchers
realised it had wider applications both for internal desktop production and
external streaming. The immediate aim is to be able to decode standard digital
TV definition (720 x 576 pixels at 25 frames per second) in real time; the
current version can decode a quarter-standard resolution at 20fps (frames per
second), which is enough for Internet streaming.
The Dirac format will be submitted to relevant organisations for
ratification as a standard. Usually only a bitstream is standardised, with the
code and decode methods being left to the implementers; but the BBC will be
providing implementation.
Borer believes Dirac could turn out to be more efficient than standards
based on commercial patents, even though it has to use technology more than 20 years old to avoid breaking patents.
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source:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040812/175/f06i1.html
I, for one, would be extremely happy to see the beeb ditch realnetworks media from their site.
And an open source alternative is good too, as on-going development will not cost them anything.