DUXBURY, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/04/09 -- Scalable video coding (SVC) is the latest standard gaining traction in the videoconferencing world. As is often the case with new technology, particularly when the technology has disruptive potential, there are many claims and counter claims from the new and the entrenched vendors. In this new study, Wainhouse Research (WR) provides an independent view of what SVC is all about and compares SVC to the H.264 Baseline Profile used in traditional videoconferencing systems. Based on actual side by side comparisons of multiple devices, the authors of "H.264 SVC: A Technical Assessment" conclude that H.264 SVC videoconferencing systems can:

--  Provide the ability to host video calls on lower cost, loss-prone IP
    networks, including the Internet with equal or better quality than that of
    traditional systems

--  Support video calls between endpoints with widely varying processor
    power and network connection

--  Deliver much improved interactivity due to noticeable shorter delays
    on both point-to-point calls and multipoint calls between H.264 SVC-
    compliant systems

--  Support an impressive reduction in the cost of multipoint
    infrastructure hardware
    

The study details the causes of videoconferencing problems over IP networks and how the nature of scalable video coding addresses these issues. The 35-page report also details how the cost and performance characteristics of scalable video coding will affect videoconferencing end users and will change the market dynamics for both conferencing service providers and network service providers.

"H.264 SVC: A Technical Assessment" ships with a DVD showing examples of SVC and traditional videoconferencing under different network error conditions.

Further details, including an executive summary and table of contents, are available at http://www.wainhouse.com/reports. To order "H.264 SVC: A Technical Assessment" and to find out more about Wainhouse Research's new Visual Communications Practice (VCP) program, please contact Client Services Manager, Sara Fargo, sfargo@wainhouse.com or +1 781-934-6165 or Dana Benson, dbenson@wainhouse.com or +1 770-408-0461.

Wainhouse Research (www.wainhouse.com) provides insight and intelligence into the global markets for audio, web (data), and videoconferencing, real-time Unified Communications, enterprise streaming and webcasting, distance education and enterprise social networking. The company publishes studies, speaks at industry events, and provides strategic consulting to industry vendors and end user organizations. Wainhouse Research conferences in the US and Europe provide a forum for the industry to discuss critical issues for growth.