FastCodec
Contents
Information:
FastCodec is a free fast lossless video codec designed for video capture. The main design goals are simplicity and speed. Compression algorithm is relatively simple. The general scheme is:
- Each frame is compressed separately.
- Frame is divided into square blocks 4×4 or 8×4 pixels.
- Every block converted from RGB to YUV color space.
- Enumerative coding is applied to transformed block.
It seems that algorithm can be easily implemented in hardware. Compression and decompression operations requires low amount of memory – only for one image block.
Specification:
- Lossless and lossy compression.
- Decompression in preview mode.
- Frame size restrictions. Lossless compression requires that frame width and height must be a multiple of 4. Lossy compression requires that frame height is multiple of 4 but frame width is multiple of 8.
- Supported input and output formats: YUY2/YUNV/V422/YUYV, YVYU, UYVY/Y422/UYNV, RGB24, RGB32.
- Codec implemented as VFW driver, FOURCC is FCKK
Description:
I – CPU detection
Codec supports run-time CPU detection. Codec uses different algorithm implementations according to instruction sets supported by CPU. MMX support is required, SSE2 – support is recommended.
II – Compression settings
YUV formats compression is always lossless. RGB formats compression has two modes:
- Absolutely lossless (A) – there is no difference between non coded and decoded movies. Codec doesn’t add any artifacts to video.
- Visually lossless (B) – there is a small difference between non coded and decoded movies. Human eye can’t see this difference but at the same time compression ratio is greater than in the first case.
III – Decompression settings
Preview mode (A) – is a special feature for fast decompression with poor image quality. Unfortunately FastCodec decompression speed is less than compression speed. Use this option on slow machines.
IV – Logging
FastCodec supports logging (A) during compression/decompression. On each compression/decompression session codec creates log file in a specified folder (B) that can be chosen by pressing© button.
The main usage of this option is debugging. Use this option to know more information about compression/decompression process. Don’t use this option for better performance.
