[FFmpeg-trac] #4828(avcodec:new): use Core Audio AAC-encoder and AC3-decoder to avoid patent concerns

[FFmpeg]

#4828: use Core Audio AAC-encoder and AC3-decoder to avoid patent concerns
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             Reporter:  julian       |                    Owner:
                 Type:  enhancement  |                   Status:  new
             Priority:  wish         |                Component:  avcodec
              Version:  git-master   |               Resolution:
             Keywords:  osx          |               Blocked By:
             Blocking:               |  Reproduced by developer:  0
Analyzed by developer:  0            |
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Comment (by julian):

 > As-such, this ticket is clearly invalid: FFmpeg without the AAC and
 without the AC3
 > decoder most likely contains code covered by (many) software-patents.

 of course there are many other patented codecs inside ffmpeg. you
 configure ffmpeg to use them or not to use them.  however, for the use
 case of just converting AC3 to AAC this would enable a patent-concern free
 solution (under OS X).

 > Do these decoders have any other advantage over the decoders in FFmpeg?

 AFAIK blind listening tests have indicated the CoreAudio AAC encoder to be
 top-notch

 thats why the HandBrake converter offers and prefers this over other AAC
 encoders.

 adding this to libavformat would also allow HandBrake to get rid of having
 to have code for both CoreAudio AND libavformat audio encoding

 for us, it would allow skipping using 'avconvert' Apple's native AAC
 encoding tool (which is patent worry free).

 > And how would they fit into the FFmpeg infrastructure? Would they just
 be two more external decoders?

 i guess so

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Ticket URL: <https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/4828#comment:2>
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