On2 Technologies, a provider of advanced video compression technologies for desktop and wireless applications, has extended its relationship with Skype Technologies by signing a new strategic agreement for the company’s video codec technology.

 

Skype (News - Alert) Technologies’ Skype software, which is used everyday by millions of people worldwide, allows users to make calls from their computer to other people for free on Skype, and as well as place cheap calls to other phones and mobiles as well. By using Skype, users can not only communicate with others through free voice calls but also through video calls.

 

"Bringing a great video calling experience to the average consumer is one of Skype's key priorities, and we see On2 as a key partner in helping us deliver this," said Manrique Brenes, director of business development and product management for consumer electronics, Skype. "Using On2's codecs along with extensive software development and optimization work by engineering teams at Skype, we are able to help consumers overcome bandwidth constraints and deliver best-in-class free video calling for consumers."

 

In 2005, Skype launched its point-point video conferencing service. Since then, On2 Technologies’ (News - Alert) VP7 codec is integrated with Skype 2.0 (for Windows). Skype leverages on On2 technologies for encoding, scaling, pre-processing and post-processing of all its video.

 

On2’s TrueMotion VP7 is a video codec used for video compression that features both video compression manager (VCM) and DirectShow support. VCM is a multimedia framework developed by Microsoft (News - Alert), which enables Microsoft Windows to play digital video. DirectShow is a also a multimedia framework and API (application programming interface) developed by Microsoft for software developers to perform various operations with media files or streams.

 

In October 2007, Skype launched High Quality Video as well. With the support of On2 Technologies’ video codec that has high compression performance, the Skype users could experience full screen video calls at VGA (visual graphics array) resolution with just 500 kbps or even as low as 300kbps available bandwidth. 

 

The new agreement will now enable On2 codec to move along with the Skype service to a diverse array of new devices such as the recently rolled-out Asus AiGuru SV1 Skype certified videophone. This videophone enables registered Skype users to make video and voice calls to friends and family for free of cost.

 

"On2 and Skype hold the same vision for video communications and through our close cooperation we have overcome the barriers keeping video calling out of reach for many," said Matt Frost, interim CEO and COO of On2 Technologies. "In the future, you can expect to see even better video quality requiring even less bandwidth, and this will help to make video calling even more commonplace."

 

Golden Frames, one of the quality-enhancing features in On2 video codecs, allows for constant sharp background image with minimal data when the subject in the foreground is continually moving. This feature is advantageous for packet-loss recovery.

 

On2 Technology said its video codecs also require less CPU power for full duplex live video, thereby facilitating Skype users with older and less powerful PC systems to enjoy high quality video calls, and also enables stand-alone devices like the AiGuru SV1 videophone to be produced cost effectively, using less expensive processor technology.