Chrome drops H.264 support
Here is why I think this decision is very premature:
- VP8’s lack of B frames, make it similar to the H.264 baseline profile. This is normally used in mobile phones due to their limited processing capability, and greatly decreases compression ability.
- There currently are very few hardware decoders. None so far have made it into any mobile devices.
- H.264 is an industry standard. If anything the spec is too verbose.
- Technical analysis of the VP8 codec vs H.264: http://x264dev.multimedia.cx/archives/377
- The spec is horribly written and extremely vague.
Here is why the decision makes sense:
- It is royalty free, for now.
Summary: Google dropped support for an industry standard codec for one that is far less technically capable with very little industry support, however, there are no current patent issues. Very, very risky move if you ask me. Only time will tell if this was the right one.
