libbpg-0.9.6

x265/doc/reST/introduction.rst

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+************
+Introduction
+************
+
+Increasing demand for high definition and ultra-high definition video,
+along with an increasing desire for video on demand has led to
+exponential growth in demand for bandwidth and storage requirements.
+These challenges can be met by the new High Efficiency Video Coding
+(HEVC) standard, also known as H.265. The x265 HEVC encoder project was
+launched by MulticoreWare in 2013, aiming to provide the most efficient,
+highest performance HEVC video encoder.
+
+About HEVC
+==========
+
+The High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) was developed by the ISO/IEC
+Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group
+(VCEG), through their Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC).
+HEVC is also known as ISO/IEC 23008-2 MPEG-H Part 2 and ITU-T H.265.
+HEVC provides superior video quality and up to twice the data
+compression as the previous standard (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC).  HEVC can
+support 8K Ultra High Definition video, with a picture size up to
+8192x4320 pixels.
+
+About x265
+==========
+
+The primary objective of x265 is to become the best H.265/HEVC encoder
+available anywhere, offering the highest compression efficiency and the
+highest performance on a wide variety of hardware platforms. The x265
+encoder is available as an open source library, published under the
+GPLv2 license. It is also available under a commercial license, enabling
+commercial companies to utilize and distribute x265 in their solutions
+without being subject to the restrictions of the GPL license.
+
+x265 is developed by `MulticoreWare <http://www.multicorewareinc.com>`_,
+leaders in high performance software solutions, with backing from
+leading video technology providers including `Telestream
+<http://www.telestream.com>`_ and `Doremi Labs
+<http://www.doremilabs.com>`_ (and other companies who want to remain
+anonymous at this time), and with contributions from open source
+developers.  x265 leverages many of the outstanding video encoding
+features and optimizations from the x264 AVC encoder project.
+
+The x265 software is available for free under the GNU GPL 2 license,
+from https://bitbucket.org/multicoreware/x265.  For commercial companies
+that wish to distribute x265 without being subject to the open source
+requirements of the GPL 2 license, commercial licenses are available
+with competitive terms.  Contact license @ x265.com to inquire about
+commercial license terms.  
+
+While x265 is primarily designed as a video encoder software library, a
+command-line executable is provided to facilitate testing and
+development.  We expect x265 to be utilized in many leading video
+hardware and software products and services in the coming months.
+
+LEGAL NOTICES
+=============
+
+The x265 software is owned and copyrighted by MulticoreWare, Inc.
+MulticoreWare is committed to offering the x265 software under the GNU
+GPL v2 license.  Companies who do not wish to integrate the x265
+Software in their products under the terms of the GPL license can
+contact MulticoreWare (license @ x265.com) to obtain a commercial
+license agreement.  Companies who use x265 under the GPL may also wish
+to work with MulticoreWare to accelerate the development of specific
+features or optimized support for specific hardware or software
+platforms, or to contract for support.
+
+The GNU GPL v2 license or the x265 commercial license agreement govern
+your rights to access the copyrighted x265 software source code, but do
+not cover any patents that may be applicable to the function of binary
+executable software created from the x265 source code.  You are
+responsible for understanding the laws in your country, and for
+licensing all applicable patent rights needed for use or distribution of
+software applications created from the x265 source code.  A good place
+to start is with the `Motion Picture Experts Group - Licensing Authority
+- HEVC Licensing Program <http://www.mpegla.com/main/PID/HEVC/default.aspx>`_.
+
+x265 is a registered trademark of MulticoreWare, Inc.  The x265 logo is
+a trademark of MulticoreWare, and may only be used with explicit written
+permission.  All rights reserved.