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Computer peripherals industry

Industry Leaders Unveil OpenML: A Standardized API for Graphics, Video, and Audio Media Devices

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Leading technology vendors, including 3dfx, 3Dlabs, ATI, Compaq, Discreet, Evans & Sutherland, IBM, Intel, S3, and SGI, have collectively contributed to the development of a new specification, OpenML, aimed at creating a standardized application programming interface (API) for graphics, video, and audio media devices. This innovative technology will enable developers to integrate video and graphics capabilities into their application suites more easily, making them more portable across multiple operating systems, CPU architectures, and add-in hardware devices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OpenML technology is designed to eliminate the need for professional application developers to create different, proprietary programming interfaces for various media input and output devices.
  • Implementations of the API across multiple operating systems will enable portability of software applications.
  • OpenML will offer a simple queue-based model for manipulating multiple audio and video streams simultaneously.
  • Video and graphics primitive extensions to OpenGL will support the integration of video and graphics content.
  • New functionality will enable the easy compositing of 2D, 3D, and video.
  • Support for precise synchronization of audio, video, and graphics streams will be included.
  • OpenGL extensions for high-quality rendering will be part of the OpenML specification.
  • The Khronos Special Interest Group (SIG) expects widespread adoption of OpenML technology across the media industry within the next two years.
  • The move to implement OpenML is expected to grow the marketplace for professional authoring software and supporting hardware devices.
  • The Khronos SIG has launched a website at http://www.khronos.org to promote easy interaction with the OpenML concept and communicate news about its development.
  • The founding companies behind the Khronos Group include 3dfx, 3Dlabs, ATI, Compaq, Discreet, Evans & Sutherland, IBM, Intel, S3, and SGI.
  • 3dfx provides patented and award-winning graphics accelerator chips, boards, and software.
  • 3Dlabs develops silicon, boards, and software drivers for workstations and design professionals.
  • ATI designs, manufactures, and markets innovative and award-winning multimedia solutions and graphics components.
  • Discreet develops systems and software for visual effects, 3D animation, editing, and production used in the creation of digital moving pictures.

Statistics:

  • The Khronos Special Interest Group (SIG) has 10 founding members, including 3dfx, 3Dlabs, ATI, Compaq, Discreet, Evans & Sutherland, IBM, Intel, S3, and SGI.
  • The OpenML technology is expected to be adopted by the media industry within the next two years.
  • The marketplace for professional authoring software and supporting hardware devices is expected to grow with the implementation of OpenML.
  • The Khronos SIG has launched a website at http://www.khronos.org to promote easy interaction with the OpenML concept and communicate news about its development.

Sources:

  • "3dfx, 3Dlabs, ATI, Compaq, Discreet, Evans & Sutherland, IBM, Intel, S3, and SGI Announce Founding of Khronos Group" (PRNewswire)
  • "About 3dfx" (3dfx Interactive)
  • "About 3Dlabs" (3Dlabs)
  • "About ATI" (ATI Technologies Inc.)
  • "About Discreet" (Discreet)
  • "About Evans & Sutherland" (Evans & Sutherland)
  • "About IBM" (IBM)
  • "About Intel" (Intel)
  • "About S3 Professional Graphics" (S3 Professional Graphics)
  • "About SGI" (SGI)

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