Dirac For Linux

Dirac is a video codec that provides general-purpose video compression and decompression tools comparable with state-of-the-art systems.

Dirac video codec is available for distribution under the MPL version 1.1 software license.

Dirac is an open source video codec. It uses a traditional hybrid video codec architecture, but with the wavelet transform instead of the usual block transforms. Motion compensation uses overlapped blocks to reduce block artefacts that would upset the transform coding stage.

Dirac can code just about any size of video, from streaming up to HD and beyond, although certain presets are defined for different applications and standards. These cover the parameters that need to be set for the encoder to work, such as block sizes and temporal prediction structures, which must otherwise be set by hand.

Dirac is intended to develop into real coding and decoding software, capable of plugging into video processing applications and media players that need compression.

It is intended to develop into a simple set of reliable but effective coding tools that work over a wide variety of content and formats, using well-understood compression techniques, in a clear and accessible software structure. It is not intended as a demonstration or reference coder.