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MeidaFrame for Mpeg-4 (version 1.4 beta 3) is now available. This is a bug fix release; users of earlier versions should upgrade ASAP.
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Open source streaming media in Java™
MediaFrame is an Open Source streaming media platform in Java™ which provides a fast, easy to implement and extremely small applet that enables over 97% (AdShadow 2002-03) of web users to view your audio/video content without having to rely on external player applications or bulky plug-ins. MediaFrame does not require special servers, software or programming knowledge (feature list).
MediaFrame is based on open standards and is compatible with Mpeg (Mpeg-1 & Mpeg-4), the industry standard in video compression. This enables users to create MediaFrame ready content in any number of applications, from Adobe AfterEffects to Media Cleaner.
MediaFrame is feature complete for Mpeg-1 and in Beta release for Mpeg-4. Both the Mpeg-1 & Mpeg-4 versions of MediaFrame are availble for download now, along with source code, documentation and sample video. This site is designed to act as the base for the projects development community as well as providing software and support to users and distributors.
We need your help
MediaFrame is available for download now from this site, but we want to continue to support and develop the technology. To do this we have assembled a small team of dedicated volunteers to help us push the barrier of streaming media online.
If you would like to help out in any capacity (Java developers, translators, copy writers, production specialists, designers; all welcome!) please drop us a line. Alternatively, you can make a donation to the project.
Contact us | Join our mailing list | Make a donation
MediaFrame features & benefits
- Streaming or download
MediaFrame can deliver audio & video content over the Internet in either streaming or progressive download mode - Dynamic video scaling
MediaFrame is capable of stretching media by up to 60% of its original size without a significant loss of quality. This enables you to simulate higher bit rates without the associated costs. - Broad and narrow band compatible
MediaFrame operates effectively in both broad and narrowband environments - Built-in connection speed detection
MediaFrame detects your users connection speed in real-time and will deliver media accordingly - Digital Rights Management (DRM)
A full-featured Digital rights management system is integrated with the core of MediaFrame allowing media files to be locked to a specific domain and expired over time - Supports .zip compressed files
MediaFrame has built in support for compressed files, meaning you can reduce your bandwidth usage even further - Pre and post image support
MediaFrame allows you to rotate images before and after video playback. - Auto-start, click-to-play and rollover-to-play states
Multiple playback states allow you to tightly integrate MediaFrame with your offering. - Media loop support
MediaFrame can be set to loop media, making it ideal for corporate presentations. - Full media controls
Play, pause, rewind and mute controls are all available within the video window and can be set to visible, hidden or visible on mouse over. The control set is fully skinable. - Real-time feedback agent
In-video display alerts your users to the current state of the player (buffering %, playing, paused etc.) - JavaScript API
MediaFrame is fully JavaScript controllable, making it simple to build your own control set and integrate it with the rest of your site - Subtitling support
Using the JavaScript API, it is possible to add complete subtitles to any video. - Easy encoding
MediaFrame is built to support Mpeg playback meaning you can encode MediaFrame-ready video in any one of hundreds of applications, including Adobe AfterEffects - Cross platform
MediaFrame plays on all Java compatible platforms
Project history
MediaFrame was original developed for use in advertising by London based agency Airlock Limited. The project was started in early 2001 under the name 'Dilate' and was first used commercially the following year, delivering video for clients such as Vodafone and Diesel.
The Mpeg-1 version of MediaFrame is based on original work by Alan Blount, the developer of SurePlayer. SurePlayer first intergrated Joerg Anders' MPEG_Play code with Mat McGowan and Tobias Bading's Javalayer audio code, and is the source for much of this projects code base.
The Mpeg-4 version of MediaFrame is orignial work, developed by Airlock after the first release of the project for Mpeg-1. The company gifted the source code to the open source community in mid 2004, but retain the rights for non-GPL distribution.
Since this time the project has gone from strength to strengeth with the team have releasing several GPL implementations of the software for both Mpeg-1 and Mpeg-4.
Drop us a line if you want to get involved!
Why Open Source?
MediaFrame is Open Source software (definition). The basic idea behind open source is very simple: when programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves; people improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that is impossible to match within a conventional development environment.
By Opening up the source code for the technology and building a stable community environment around this site, we hope to be able to extend and improve MediaFrame to the point that it is seen as the first port of call for those delivering streaming content online.
Commercial licensing
Update: we're a little behind with the finalisation of commercial licenses and now expect to be posting full information in June/July.
MediaFrame is dual license software. Under this model, users may choose to use MediaFrame under the free software/open source GNU General Public License (commonly known as the "GPL") or under a commercial license.
With the GPL license, MediaFrame is available free of charge. Users may download the software for free and modify, integrate and distribute it. However, GPL users must abide by the rules of the GPL, which stipulate that if a MediaFrame-based application is redistributed, the complete source code for this application must also be open and available for redistribution.
MediaFrame offers a commercial license for organizations & individuals that do not want to release the source code for their application; they are free from the requirement of making their own application open source.
MediaFrame's dual licensing increases freedom in two ways: first, it encourages the growth of free software by licensing MediaFrame under the GPL; second, it makes it possible to use our software in situations where the GPL is not applicable.
Full commercial licensing options will be listed here in the New Year. In the mean time, please feel free to contact us for more information.
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