On2 Technologies, a US-based provider of video compression services, has signed a new agreement with Skype, a Luxembourg-based online communications company, for licensing On2’s video codec technology.
According to On2 Technologies, the compression performance of the On2 codec makes Skype video calls possible even over data rate connections as low as 300kbps. The company claims that video codecs enable background image to be maintained with minimal data when the subject in the foreground is continually moving. This feature is also beneficial for packet-loss recovery.
On2 video codecs also require less CPU power for full duplex live video than other compression formats. Thus enabling stand-alone devices like the AiGuru SV1 videophone to be produced cost effectively, using less expensive processor technology.
Matt Frost, interim CEO and COO of On2 Technologies, said: “On2 and Skype hold the same vision for video communications and through our cooperation we have overcome the barriers keeping video calling out of reach for many. In the future, you can expect to see better video quality requiring even less bandwidth, and this will help to make video calling even more commonplace.”
Manrique Brenes, director of business development and product management for consumer electronics at Skype, said: “Using On2’s codecs along with software development and optimization work by engineering teams at Skype, we are able to help consumers overcome bandwidth constraints and deliver best free video calling for consumers.”
Headquartered in Clifton Park, NY, USA, On2 Technologies creates video compression technologies for desktop and wireless. The company’s customers include: Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Facebook, Brightcove, Move Networks, Adobe and Skype.
