Hardware Video Encoding and Decoding for Macs?

I can only beg that this rumour will be proven true.

I, Cringely . The Pulpit . The Great Apple Video Encoder Attack of 2007 | PBS

The Great Apple Video Encoder Attack of 2007: Cupertino plans to add H.264 hardware support to its entire line.

What I like most about this is not that Apple is doing it, but because I believe it will force other computer manufacturers to do the same. I can’t see how Dell (for instance) would not at least give its customers the option.

And imagine what it could do for other devices! That’s where things get really interesting. Imagine a mobile phone able to play video quickly, without significantly impacting the rest of the processes on it. My Motorola Q would actually be able to play a video without all the frame and audio dropouts.
Actually, the more I think about it, how are computer manufacturers not doing this already?

Leave a Comment