The most significant change in video codecs is the move from WindowsMedia9 to a standardised version. While the SMTPE in the US is standardising WM9 to become VC9, there have been other developments.

Where WM9 fell down in competition with MPEG was on the interlacing performance. This is understandable, as Microsoft came from the progressive technology of the PC display. Over the last year, the interlacing has been completely rewritten to provide real time performance, and this new version of the WM9 Advanced Profile will become SMTPE'S VC1. This is set to be the main codec in the future, says John O'Donnell, chief technology officer of Equator Technologies.
Broadcom is also proposing a new High Profile for AVC, which can be handled in its latest silicon. This is already being used by Pace Micro Technology in its HDTV decoder PVR box, although Pace has now launched an AVC IPTV box based on the BSP15 chip from Equator.