Listen to the webcast

[berpelding]

H.264 has become the “it” codec for everything from iPods to streaming Flash delivery. This webcast starts with an overview of the H.264 standard, and then discusses the significance of common encoding parameters like Profile, Level and B-frames. Then it describes the unique requirements for producing Flash for its most common uses, including the iPod and for on-demand Flash and QuickTime delivery, with brief looks at common encoding screens from programs like Apple Compressor, Sorenson Squeeze, Telestream Episode Pro and Inlet Fathom.

Listen to the archived webcast

[cata12]

Yes indeed, if you want to stream with the best video quality try the new H264 technology. This is the newest release codec and there is a 15-20% improval in terms of image quality.
Video compression (or video coding) is an essential technology for applications such as digital television, DVD-Video, mobile TV, videoconferencing and internet video streaming. Standardising video compression makes it possible for products from different manufacturers (e.g. encoders, decoders and storage media) to inter-operate. An encoder converts video into a compressed format and a decoder converts compressed video back into an uncompressed format.
I think the biggest advantage of H.264 over previous standards is its compression performance. Compared with standards such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, H.264 can deliver better image quality at the same compressed bitrate or a lower compressed bitrate for the same image quality.
Even if some companies are still testing this option , this will be for sure the next generation of video encoding solution. You can take a look at blinkotv.com for a tutorial. I have already made HD Live streaming and I can show you some demos if you are interested.

[cata12]

I found some more information about H.264
H.264 tends to be better in progressive download.
As well as its improved compression performance, H.264 offers greater flexibility in terms of compression options and transmission support. An H.264 encoder can select from a wide variety of compression tools, making it suitable for applications ranging from low-bitrate, low-delay mobile transmission through high definition consumer TV to professional television production. The standard provides integrated support for transmission or storage, including a packetised compressed format and features that help to minimize the effect of transmission errors.

H.264/AVC is being adopted for an increasingly wide range of applications, including:

* High Definition DVDs (HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats)
* High Definition TV broadcasting in Europe
* Apple products including iTunes video downloads, iPod video and MacOS
* NATO and US DoD video applications
* Mobile TV broadcasting
* Internet video
* Videoconferencing