IFrame (video format)
Encyclopedia
iFrame is a digital video format, developed by Apple. It is based on existing industry standards, such as AVC/H.264
, AAC
and QuickTime
, and can be used with compatible Mac and PC applications.
The format has been created to simplify video editing
. Traditionally, Apple video editing tools like Final Cut Pro
and iMovie
have required conversion of video from its original format into intermediate format such as ProRes 422
or AIC
for editing. With iFrame such conversion is no longer needed starting from iMovie '09.
Many non-Apple editing tools do not require conversion of video from source to intermediate format, instead allowing to edit the original videos directly.
compression scheme. Audio is encoded with the AAC
codec. The compressed audio and video are multiplexed
into a QuickTime
file.
To reduce data rate and hardware requirements, video frame has size of 960 horizontal by 540 vertical pixels with pixel aspect ratio
of 1:1, which results in 16:9
display aspect ratio. Progressive scanning
at 30 or 25 frames per second
reduces data rate even further, but may result in increased “judder” when compared to the traditional rate of 60 or 50 pictures per second used for television broadcast.
The video sub-sampling, bit-depth, and the video, audio and aggregate bit-rates are not yet publicly known.
http://www.jvclatest.co.uk/product/gc-fm2.php
H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC is a standard for video compression, and is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video...
, AAC
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
and QuickTime
QuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
, and can be used with compatible Mac and PC applications.
The format has been created to simplify video editing
Video editing
The term video editing can refer to:* Linear video editing, using video tape* Non-linear editing system , using computers with video editing software* Offline editing* Online editing...
. Traditionally, Apple video editing tools like Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
and iMovie
IMovie
iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. It was originally released by Apple in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Apple...
have required conversion of video from its original format into intermediate format such as ProRes 422
ProRes 422
ProRes 422 is a standard-definition and high-definition lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post production. It was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2 and is comparable to Avid's DNxHD codec which has the same purpose and uses similar bit rates...
or AIC
Apple Intermediate Codec
The Apple Intermediate Codec abbreviated AIC is a video codec designed by Apple Inc. to be an intermediate format in an HDV workflow. It features high performance and quality, being less processor intensive to work with than other editing formats...
for editing. With iFrame such conversion is no longer needed starting from iMovie '09.
Many non-Apple editing tools do not require conversion of video from source to intermediate format, instead allowing to edit the original videos directly.
Overview
iFrame video and audio is encoded using lossy compression. Only intraframe compression is enabled; every frame is a stand-alone i-frame. Video is encoded with the AVC/H.264H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC is a standard for video compression, and is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video...
compression scheme. Audio is encoded with the AAC
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
codec. The compressed audio and video are multiplexed
Multiplexing
The multiplexed signal is transmitted over a communication channel, which may be a physical transmission medium. The multiplexing divides the capacity of the low-level communication channel into several higher-level logical channels, one for each message signal or data stream to be transferred...
into a QuickTime
QuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
file.
To reduce data rate and hardware requirements, video frame has size of 960 horizontal by 540 vertical pixels with pixel aspect ratio
Pixel aspect ratio
Pixel aspect ratio is a mathematical ratio that describes how the width of a pixel in a digital image compares to the height of that pixel....
of 1:1, which results in 16:9
16:9
16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ...
display aspect ratio. Progressive scanning
Progressive scan
Progressive scanning is a way of displaying, storing, or transmitting moving images in which all the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence...
at 30 or 25 frames per second
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
reduces data rate even further, but may result in increased “judder” when compared to the traditional rate of 60 or 50 pictures per second used for television broadcast.
The video sub-sampling, bit-depth, and the video, audio and aggregate bit-rates are not yet publicly known.
Hardware products
- October 2009: Sanyo HD2000A, Sanyo FH1A Dual Cameras.
- July 2010: Panasonic HM-TA1 HD Pocket Camcorder.
- October 2010: JVC Picsio GC-FM2 Pocket Camcorder.
- December 2010: Panasonic SDX1 camcorder.
- February 2011: Canon PowerShot SX230HS, PowerShot SX220HS, IXUS 310HS
- March 2011: Panasonic HDC-HS900, HDC-TM900, HDC-SD900, HDC-SD800, HDC-SD90, HDC-TM90
- November 2011: Canon PowerShot S100
External links
- SANYO Announcement of HD Camcorders that support iFrame
- iMovie '09: About the iFrame Video format
- Panasonic introduces the Panasonic HM-TA1 Camcorder
http://www.jvclatest.co.uk/product/gc-fm2.php