JamieG Analysis

There has been much written in the blogisphere about Silverlight and how Microsoft is trying to do a flash killer. Mentioned is its ability to do Video like Flash.

Out of all the technology Silverlight has, it is the ability to do Video that is going to make Silverlight a technology that will have a deep effect on the web in the future.

Consider the following.

1. Flash has become the success that it is today due to the ability to have a light download (Usually automatically the first time you hit a page) that can then run content (Mainly Video) on most platforms. (Well even Linux now).

2. Once a reasonable Video Codec was embedded in Flash, and any browsers could view the content without issue, sites like YouTube took off, and is arguably changing the way the Web is used.

3. As the Web develops a bigger and better Video focus, bandwidth issues are coming to light. So much so, we have regular media articles warning the Internet will grind to a halt due to Video downloads.

4. Silverlight uses VC1, Microsoft’s equivalent to H.264. H.264/VC1 is, in general, twice as efficient as On2 codec that Flash uses.

So, if YouTube switched to Silverlight tomorrow, they can either half there current bandwidth, savings millions of dollars a month (or week),

OR

Double the quality of YouTube videos, bringing them up to a TV quality type experience.

Considering all this, it is most likely that YouTube and all similar services are working hard to move to support Silverlight as soon as possible.

I am no Microsoft supported. I have been working in the IT industry for a long time, and I have a lot of reasons to dislike Microsoft. I have seen the results of them abusing there dominance of the industry. Still that was a long time ago.

Still, when good technology appears before you, even if coming from the devil himself. It is hard not to use it if it is the right choose of technology and is going to save/make you money.

Microsoft have been putting every foot wrong over the last number of years. Vista, Zune, DOT.NET. Doing so-so with Office and Server.

But Silverlight is a potential star. And in some ways is so as it appears to be written without the Microsoft Hard line. More of a grey line. Ie, it supports the Mac. (I also remember the mention of Linux. But probably not. As Linux is Microsoft’s biggest threat.)

Adobe really needs to move fast here. I am not sure why they do not support codecs like H.264. It is a heavy codec and needs a bit more powerful CPU power, (Same as VC1). But really, it will only ad about 700K to the Flash.ocx That is with H.264 and a AAC audio codec.

And with Modems a thing of the past, thats no big deal…

Come on Adobe…..