Emblaze Video fizzles out

Emblaze Video 1.0 2 (Fair)

Emblaze Video 1.0 is an extremely simple, easy-to-use tool for producing streaming video that can be viewed without a plug-in. But that simplicity comes at a price: The $295 Java-based program from GEO Publishing Inc. gives content creators only minimal control over compression settings, which greatly affects final output.

Emblaze uses GEO's proprietary compression technology - the same used by GEO's Emblaze Creator 2.5 (see 11.24.97, Page 19) - to prepare QuickTime movies for the Web. A 50-Kbyte Java applet automatically downloads an Emblaze Player with each movie. You need a Java-capable browser to view "Emblazed" videos; GEO strongly recommends Netscape Navigator 4.0 for its improved Java-handling capabilities.

All Emblaze video processing is handled through a no-frills window that resembles a '50s-style radio. You can compress a QuickTime movie into three frame sizes and select from default compression settings for 28.8 Kbps, 33.6 Kbps, 56 Kbps and T1 connection types. A tiny preview window lets you watch your video as it's being compressed.

Emblaze lets you choose custom total bit rates to help optimize data flow over different connection types. But unlike competing programs such as Vivo Software Inc.'s VivoActive Producer 2.0 (see 09.15.97, Page 17) and RealNetworks Inc.'s RealVideo Encoder 1.0 (see 10.06.97, Page 23), you can't choose how to split the total bit rate between audio and video. Not being able to emphasize one or the other according to your needs diminishes your control over the final output.

You also can't control frame rate, which further limits fine-tuning. Despite GEO's claim of a "smooth 12-15 frames per second for 28.8 modems" you're actually stuck with a much lower default frame rate that produces sharp picture quality but choppy motion. GEO said it plans to add adjustable frame rates in an upgrade.

Using Emblaze's compression setting for 28.8 Kbps connections, our movie stuttered forward at a slow and inconsistent pace, and occasionally it froze entirely. While picture clarity was good, Emblaze's low default frame rate left long gaps in the video. Audio was distorted and sputtered consistently out of sync with the video and was at times indecipherable. Performance was similar at T1 connection settings. GEO acknowledged sync problems, citing the inherent limitations of low bandwidth connections, and promised a fix in future releases.

Conclusions

None of the streaming video programs we've seen can deliver movies that even approach the look and feel of real-time video, and Emblaze Video is no exception. But while other programs offer various compression controls to help you achieve better results, Emblaze's lack of frame rate controls and limited bit rate controls - along with its poor audio quality and syncing problems - prevent you from getting good output. It's a one-dimensional tool best suited for slide shows or low frame-rate video clips without audio.

GEO Publishing Inc. of Woodland Hills, Calif., can be reached at (818) 703-8436 or (800) 576-7751; fax (818) 703-8654; http://www.emblaze.com.

Score Card: Emblaze Video 1.0 2 (Fair)

GEO Publishing Inc. List price: $295

Hits: No plug-ins required; good picture quality.

Misses: Limited control over compression settings; audio and video out of sync; audio distortion; slow.