Cineform playback on Linux?

[Daniel Browning]

About nine months ago was the last time I read anything about playing or encoding Cineform on Linux:

Originally Posted by David Newman

...Mac and PC, and soon Linux, ...

I hope that it's still in the pipeline for eventual release. I think this feature would be really nice, even though the market is a lot smaller than Windows and Apple.

Keep up the good work, Cineform.

[David Newman]

We now have Linux encoder and decoder SDKs, and we already have licensees starting to implement them.

[Bob Hart]

This is very interesting indeed.

[Daniel Browning]

Originally Posted by David Newman

We now have Linux encoder and decoder SDKs, and we already have licensees starting to implement them.

Great! Thanks.

[Greg Worley]

any news?
I'm trying to figure out how to start with a cineform 3d stereo interleaved file and encode to WebM's new 3d format. If there's a linux reader it'll be easier.

[David Newman]

It is linux, so DIY. We are will not be providing more that our SDK for others to implement custom functionality.

[Martin Munthe]

David. Now you are confusing how the Open Source community works with distributing proprietary software on Linux. Release Cineform as OS and you'll see some fine "DIY" implementations on Linux (and elsewhere). But if your business model is based on proprietary - never expect other people to do your job.

Clients like me need a working Linux version of the codec since we are in the post production industry where Linux is a BIG player.

And that goes for Apple (ProRes) too.

Avid is a great example of a company listening to it's clients needs. Sure, DNxHD is still only 8-bit on Linux - but it's a start. And it works.

[David Newman]

"DIY" was tonge-in-check. On Linux there is no generic media player, so it up to each software developer to implement advanced codec libraries beyond the FFMpeg style implementations of standards. We have licensed out many seats to Linux vendors already. Most of our Linux licensees are producing advantage post and finishing solutions, I don't think any of them are open source. Linux is often used for turn-key systems. Open source projects too can use close source libraries. We don't need to be open source, not that we haven't considered it, DIY or commercial projects can use CineForm, we just require you ask or a license agreement.

[Greg Worley]

is it possible to compile ffmpeg with the cineform decoder?

[Bryan Worsley]

Originally Posted by David Newman

It is linux, so DIY.....

And the good news - it has been done - ffmpeg finally has an open Cineform decoder

https://medium.com/@kierank_/reverse...e1c#.31d6o45ft

I'm running Kubuntu 15.10 (AMD 64) with and Mint 17.3 KDE (AMD 64).

Kubuntu uses (by default) ffmpeg from the official Ubuntu repository:

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source...buntu0.15.10.1

...which is still version 7:2.7.6 ~ Wily.

Mint doesn't come with ffmpeg and I'm using the build from this ppa:

https://launchpad.net/~mc3man/+archi...u/trusty-media

Current ffmpeg version there is 7:3.0.0 ~ Trusty

Unfortunately the Cineform decoder protocol is not there yet. But I've just tested the latest Windows (Zeranoe) ffmpeg static builds (32 and 64-bit) on Win7 64-bit:

https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

...and the Cineform decoder is implemented and decodes Cineform (10-bit YUV) mov and avi files just fine.

So, it's just a question of time before it appears in the official Ubuntu builds - maybe possible now if you are into compiling custom builds from git.

Meanwhile it is possible to play back Cineform files with MPV player, at least using the build from this VapourSynth ppa:

https://launchpad.net/~djcj/+archive/ubuntu/vapoursynth

P.S. Note the concluding remark in that first link, quote

"2016 is the year of CFHD on the Linux desktop! "

Well it could be if there was a matching ffmpeg encoder. But what better promotion - imitation is after all the most sincerest form of flattery ;>)

Same goes for this noble stab at a GoPro Studio emulation for Linux:

https://gist.github.com/KonradIT/ee685aee15ba1c3c44b4

You've got to give these bright people credit for their ingenuity and resourcefulness.