``A: It has been obvious to me for some time that the probable standards on which we would build our specification - namely MPEG-4, MPEG-7 and MPEG-21 - were progressing slowly and would not be ready for full implementation for some time. At the same time, demand for products based on these standards would probably see them entering the marketplace before the standards were finished. We needed a way to evaluate those products and to begin using them rather than waiting for the final standards. I advocated a requirements-based approach and letting the marketplace decide. Some of these standards may never be completed because the marketplace will offer interoperable products that do the job.

Q: Is the same thing happening in portable IFE?

A: Yes. I have recommended Windows Media Video, the VC1 codec and Microsoft digital rights management (DRM) for use in portables because they form a good, workable suite of technologies based on MPEG-4, MPEG-7 and MPEG-21 but ready to be implemented now. Repurposed and customised, they make a successful solution.``

There is a contraduction between the two answered statements....

``A: Digital delivery requires the transfer of increasing amounts of data through the network and into the aircraft’s server. Currently, technicians carry portable units to the flight line for manual loading while the aircraft is on the tarmac. Embedded loaders are permanently installed in the aircraft - in the video control centre (VCC), for example - and content is supplied to the loader via removable hard drives, AIT tapes, USB memory sticks, DVDs or CDs, or wirelessly at the gate via links such as IEEE 802.11, GSM or CDMA. Loading is automatic – there is no need for a technician to be present. This is a much more efficient and secure process which can also encompass the use of two-way communications for the reporting of load status, passenger usage and BITE data.``

Carrying a portable is the same as carrying any of the removable media mentioned...contradiction in his statements

wireless would more represent not having to have a technician....

If MPEG-7 becomes the standard to implement a final layer of security...as in a manner e.Digital and DivX do....it would mean a specific processor arrangement for all...with one structured bit stream the winner.

doni