WebM video codec: features and predictions

So Google made a bid to win the war of video formats for the web, opening VP8 under a free open source license that does not require royalty. What are the features of WebM compared to h264 and how the introduction of this codec will change the Internet?

1. WebM is a codec optimized for Web.
If VP8 has not yet had time to optimize well, then, given the pace at which Chrome developed, they will do it very soon. WebM is conceived as a codec easily adaptable to the different widths of the access channel, which at the same time provides high quality. According to Google, WebM is the best option for live video. Accordingly, online real-time broadcasts and video chats, as well as video conferencing will take a new level.

2. There is simply no place
WebM is easy to integrate into existing platforms (both software and hardware). It does not require long and time-consuming customization of settings, which should attract mass users. Click and you scrambled the video. Another reason for the fact that WebM very quickly go to the masses.
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3. Faster, Faster
Despite the fact that VP8 was created to be fast, Google recognizes that high-quality video encoding leaves much to be desired and is going to make the codec faster. In addition, WebM will be optimized for Atom and ARM processors, improved multiprocessor support and decoding via GPU. Netbooks, tablets and smartphones will use less power for video decoding, which will increase autonomy.

4. Matryoshka (MKV) strengthens the position
The progressive and multi-functional container Matryoshka has every chance in the future to take the lead. It is his Google and partners have chosen as a container for WebM.

5. Narrow specifications eliminate confusion and hesitation.
Although you can stuff anything into the Matryoshka, only VP8 video and Vorbis audio with a .webm extension will be played in browsers. Google has announced WebM specifications for the near future.

6. Unlimited bitrate and frame size
Because WebM uses 14 bits for height and width, the maximum video size is an incredible 16384x16384 pixels. Good groundwork for the future, I must say.

7. Skype will get new video conferencing features.
The Roadmap for WebM contains support and enhancements for video conferencing. No wonder Skype is in the list of companies that support WebM.

8. Apple and Microsoft will have to support WebM
Despite the fact that many are waiting for the h264 war, supported by Apple and Microsoft and WebM, behind which, besides Google, there are such giants as Adobe, AMD, nVidia and Skype, most likely this will not happen. In addition to the browsers Firefox, Chrome, Opera, which will enable WebM support in the near future, WebM will support Android by the end of 2010. Google will also try to translate as soon as possible to WebM and Youtube, which is growing by leaps and bounds. Will Steve Jobs, who so advocated open standards, object?

Update
How can you try Webm in action on Youtube, a few more points about WebM .