I’ve taken some time to calm down after recent statements by Apple and Microsoft regarding their choice of HTML5 codecs. I’ve tried to consider all sides, and yes, I can see the (probably FUD based) uncertain patent landscape with Ogg (Theora, Vorbis). I don’t think this is the only reason for it.
Lets back up a moment and look at Flash. I personally think, though useful some years ago, it is unnecessary, cumbersome and a resource hog. Flash used to be necessary for graphically advanced websites and video. It still is for Internet Explorer (at the time of writing). I guess I back Steve Jobs stance on Flash in general. I think it’s about time we stopped using it and Silverlight. We should now embrace HTML5, Javascript and the new video tag. I still use Flash for video playback as a fallback mechanism for PPC Macs and IE<9 of course.
Now, the HTML5 drafts were being written up and someone somewhere must have said “Well, we need to pick a video format”. You can almost see the conversation:
Apple: Well, our gadgets have H.264 decoders built in, so really we can only support H.264.
Microsoft: Yeah, H.264 is a good idea, it’s err, better quality. Umm, the patents are clear too because we’ll just licence it. Yeah, that’s great.
Microsoft directs a small grin in Firefox’s direction.
Firefox: Wait a minute guys, we’re open source. We actually can’t get a licence for H.264, what’s wrong with Ogg Theora/Vorbis anyway?
Chrome: Yeah, what about our Linux distribution of Chrome? Licensing H.264 for that isn’t feasible.
Apple: Well, we don’t have Ogg decoding chips, so no offence, but screw you guys.
Microsoft: Tell you what then, we’ll allow DirectShow wrappers so people with Ogg codecs installed can view your precious open source Ogg.
Now let me explain what’s wrong with this scenario:
Web developers and hosting providers like myself now have clients requiring video content on their sites. They’re keen to use this HTML5 they’ve heard about, and I’m keen to avoid Flash. Not to mention the obvious benefit of supporting Apple devices. My last project had an additional requirement of working properly on PPC Macs, which I found to have issues working with H.264 Baseline video either through HTML5 or Flash.
I’m now looking at tripling my disk storage requirements for video content. MP4 H.264, Ogg Theora/Vorbis and Flash FLV (dependant on client requirements).
While I’m more than happy to upsell my hosting to account for this additional space, all my clients now have to pay more for their video content as a result.
Microsoft’s solution stinks of anti-competitive behaviour, as their “install a codec” policy even goes against their “bundle more codecs so people don’t download malware ridden ones online” policy in Windows 7. Similarly, why can’t Apple support the Ogg format on their desktops at least?
I don’t actually use Firefox, but I’m angry on their behalf. They’re being pushed into a corner, and I can’t see a way out for them.
Just do me a favour: Make sure you provide Ogg format video every time you use HTML5 video and show these guys, they’re not going to push Firefox into obscurity like it’s predecessor.
On a related note, I’m developing a distributed video re-encoding system to ease deployment of fully compatible video solutions. Information on this will be available on lamped.co.uk soon.