The Osprey-�1500 is a cost-effective video/audio codec designed to be the cornerstone of a Sun Solaris video communications system. Implemented as a half-slot PCI card, the Osprey 1500 offers a variety of industry standard compression formats and can operate in Sun SPARC/PCI-based platforms. The Osprey-1500 enables Sun workstations for a variety of advanced video multitask operations such as Intranet conferencing, Internet video streaming, security / surveillance, and other video communications. The Osprey-1500 is compatible with the SunVideoPlus Card and supports SunForum. 

The Osprey-1500 is compatible with Sun PCI-based SPARC workstations running Solaris 2.5.1, 2.6 or Solaris 7. Video I/O, Audio I/O, and support for standard compression formats creates a perfect multimedia platform to complement the power of the Sun workstations. Developers can quickly create interoperable video communication systems using the  standard XIL interface or the Osprey-1500's SunVideo binary compatibility mode.

The Osprey�-1500 is the one video/audio codec that can handle all of your video communications needs. While most video cards are hard-wired for a single type of encoding, the Osprey-1500 is programmable and compatible with the most popular video and audio algorithms.

A World of Video at Your Fingertips!
The Osprey�-1500 supports the most popular industry-standard compression formats on multiple computer operating systems.  You have the flexibility to open a new world of video communication applications including Internet video streaming, telemedicine, distance learning, intranet video conferencing, security or survelliance.

Performance for the Real World

Beyond sheer numbers, performance means doing what users want, at the speed that they want and with an acceptable level of quality. The more the user can control performance, the better. The Osprey�-1500 offers a wide variety of video and audio modes, allowing users to select the best compression format for their application. Although numbers don't tell all, the chart on this page gives a good picture of how the Osprey�-1500 excels in all the major performance criteria:

H.261

H.261

H.263

H.263

JPEG Based encoder on board

QCIF

CIF

QCIF

CIF

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris

30

22 (codec); 30 (encode or decode)

30

20

30

30

OPI, XIL

OPI, XIL

OPI

 OPI

OPI, XIL

OPI, XIL

variable ~2%

variable ~2%

variable ~2%

variable ~2%

variable ~2%

64-768

64-768

8-192

8-192

up to 28 Mbytes/sec

.1 - 4Mbits/sec

h/w codec

h/w codec

NA

h/w compress

For developers using the Osprey�-1500, we offer performance tuning tips and more detailed advice on how to optimize the codec for particular resource requirements.

Application Support

The Osprey�-1500 includes everything you need to start using video on your Sun workstation right away. We can even help with custom solutions to complex setups through optional developer kits.

Available programming support includes:

• SunVideo Binary Compatibility - Applications developed for SunVideo using only XIL run unmodified!
• XIL^TM Interface - Standard video application interface under Solaris;
• �Lib-audio� Interface - simple re-compile of existing code and you�re done!;
• Osprey�s OPI API for fine grained control.

Included software/Demos:

• Sample demos for:
  • audio/video capture/playback;
  • audio/video compression/decompression;
  • audio/video broadcast/receive
• Solaris drivers for Solaris 2.5.1, 2.6 and Solaris 7.  (Solaris on x86 is not supported)

Architecture

The Osprey�-1500 card's video subsystem uses a highly-integrated video processor (video compression engine) with a high-speed interface to the host bus. A block diagram of the card is shown below. Video input to the card can be either NTSC or PAL; composite or S-Video.

Audio compression can be performed by either the on-board DSP or by the video processor (depending on the type of compression required).

Compressed streams pass through the Bus Interface subsystem and onto the host system's bus. A host application can then manipulate the data, forward the data to an ISDN card, send the data out to a LAN through a network card, or store the data to a file. The decompression operation simply reverses the compression process.  Video decompressed by the card may either be (a) directed to the composite video out port for external display or (b) moved to the host via DMA for display on the host machine's monitor.  See the Osprey-1000 FAQ for information about video out.

The PCI (Osprey-1500) and SBus (Osprey-1100) versions of the card use the same video and audio processing logic--only the bus interface logic is different.

Configurable/OEM Solutions
For volume purchasers, ViewCast.com can provide individually tailored versions of the Osprey�-1500 hardware and software. Some applications will not require the full functionality of a complete Osprey-1500 software bundle. ViewCast.com can provide special configurations which enable users to purchase only the specific functionality needed. In addition, ViewCast.com can provide special-purpose software for any of its products.

Sun testing results: Review the Sun test results for the Osprey�-1500.