Quicktime Video format

One of the very first video formats was released by Apple Computer Systems way back in 1991. It's still in use and it's called Quicktime. In those long ago days of computers (pre-web) Quicktime was hot stuff. Like many of the really great innovations of the time, Apple was the creator. 

Oh you didn't know the little fact that Apple originated much of the technology that today we take for granted, did you? What, did you think all of the great inventions of the computer world came from Microsoft (sarcasm intended)? While Apple didn't always invent what it sold, it tended to create good solid products of exceptionally high quality (it's too bad that in those days Apple didn't have the marketing ability of a wet paper bag). And they usually created these wonders way before anyone else.

Quicktime was an incredible invention at the time. I remember when it came out (yes, I admit I loved the old MacIntosh computers, and I was really upset when I realized how badly Apple had blown their chances to become the top computer company) and how exciting it was to be able to see moving pictures on a computer. Wow, that was in incredible thing.

Quicktime is one of three major competing products: Real (by RealNetworks), Quicktime and Microsoft Media Player, and it's dead last in popularity. Personally, I think the technology is very good and reliable, but Quicktime is suffering from the problem that it is perceived as a MacIntosh product. Most people use a Windows platform.

Of course, Quicktime runs on may different platforms. In fact, the product runs very, very well on Windows and is definitely up their in quality with it's competitors.

In fact, Quicktime has been chosen to be the base platform for the new MPEG-4 video standard. The next version (6.0) will support this format in it's video files. This leads to the distinct possibility that Quicktime could rise to the top of the pack as MPEG-4 is potentially a huge benefit to users. 

You see, MPEG-4 is an open standard, which means it is not owned by any particular company and has instead been created by the internet community and various working groups. I don't know about you, but I tend to trust this kind of software over that created by companies with highly commercial purposes and undisclosed (hidden) agendas.

Visiting the Quicktime web site was an interesting experience. The site was not extraordinarily commercial and the link for the free player was right up front (where it belongs). The download was clean and easy and did not require any information from me at all (they asked for but did not require my email address). To me, this is the mark of truly profession software of this type.

You see, if I put a QuickTime video on my web site I want it to make it painless and easy for them to install the plugin. If the site asks for too much data, then my visitors have a greater chance of being annoyed and moving on. Since Quicktime does not require ANY data from my users, that particular issue never even comes up.

The installer did not ask me to purchase anything, except for a brief, well placed question reminding me that it might be a good idea to purchase the professional version.

I think it's pretty obvious that I like this product. Out of the big three (Windows Media Player, Real Player and Quicktime) it was the easiest install of all, it asked the fewest questions and interfered the least with my computer. I would not have any hesitation about included a Quicktime video on my web site for my visitors to watch.