Posted by Derrick on July 28, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | 
Wowza Media Server 2 Provides Multi-bitrate Video On Demand Streaming for iPhone. This is just another item that can be added to this streaming server’s repertoire. Whether iPhone users are using Edge or 3G the appropriate datarate streaming video can be delivered to the end users. In addition, the switch between various datarates, if needed, happens very smoothly. Today, many content providers are really pushing for some type of dynamic streaming or multi-bitrate option, which is a great thing. There’s also an increased desire to delivery video to the iPhone. With the Apple iPhone being the ‘Killer App’, providing better experiences to this device will benefit many media outlets and content providers targeting streaming video for mobile devices
Tags: 3G, content providers, Dynamic Streaming, Edge, iPhone, Mobile Devices & Technology, Multi-bitrate, streaming server, streaming video, video delivery, video on demand, Wowza Media Server, Wowza Media Server 2
Posted by Derrick on May 21, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression |
Envivio Inc. announced that StarHub has installed the Envivio Mobile TV head-end featuring the 4Caster C4 Three Screens encoder/transcoder, from Envivio, to extend the reach of the “StarHub TV on Mobile” service to more 3G mobile customers, including those using the iPhone. The encoding solution has also enabled StarHub to further enhance the efficiency of network resources in delivering its mobile TV service, which offers 25 premium branded channels of news, lifestyle, documentary and entertainment programs.
“To support hundreds of different 3G handsets for the streaming of 25 cable TV channels on mobile, it is important for us to make TV-viewing on mobile devices as seamless as that on television for customers,” said Ms Yeong Mun Ling, Vice President, Business Development and Integrated Applications, StarHub Ltd. “After deploying Envivio’s 4Caster C4 encoder, we are able to greatly reduce the complexity at our headend, using a single platform to encode signals for both 3G and HTTP content streaming. In addition, the H.264 Extreme Compression from Envivio ensures high picture quality, so our customers can enjoy the best mobile TV viewing experience even on the most sophisticated playback devices such as the iPhone.”
The 4Caster C4 encoder/transcoder encodes and protects the content in multiple profiles to enable Apple’s http live streaming technology. The adaptive live streaming combined with Envivio’s H.264 Extreme codec enables the delivery of the best picture quality regardless of fluctuations in network bandwidth.
At the same time as it is encoding for iPhone users, the 4Caster C4 system also streams the same content directly to other 3G handsets. Advanced features such as network-aware rate control and video display aspect ratio management help to ensure the best quality of experience for customers. StarHub subscribers with a 3G device access the mobile TV channels via StarHub’s mobile TV client installed on their phone or through a designated portal in their phone.
“StarHub is setting a compelling example for service providers operating in competitive markets,” said Envivio CEO Julien Signès. “The fact that they have chosen the 4Caster C4 attests to the value service providers place on the flexibility our solutions offer. StarHub is able to immediately satisfy its existing 3G customer base with a high quality TV service and at the same time provide a top quality service for its iPhone customers.”
The 4Caster C4 convergence encoding platform provides video compression for all Three Screens of consumer video – TVs, PCs and mobile devices – from a single platform. Designed to enable fixed line and mobile network operators to deliver content simultaneously across the full range of consumer devices, the 4Caster C4 is able to take multiple channels of content and encode them simultaneously to deliver multiple mobile TV profiles, multiple Internet TV profiles, or SD and HD IPTV profiles.
Posted by Derrick on March 23, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression |
Envivio Inc. announced that its Three Screens solution based on the 4Caster C4 encoding system has been used to launch four new 3G-based Mobile TV implementations across China. These new multi-channel services, including deployments by China Unicom, Shanghai Mobile, Shanghai Telecom and Xin Huashe, offer live and video on demand TV options to millions of subscribers. Envivio will demonstrate its entire portfolio of solutions for Mobile, IPTV and Internet service delivery at CCBN 2010 (Hall 3, Stand 3401) in Beijing from March 23-25.
“Envivio’s flexible platform for Three Screens services enables operators to quickly deploy a solution that matches their specific service goals,” said Julien Signès, President and CEO at Envivio. “It enables them to easily bypass technical challenges and focus on developing compelling TV services that look great and serve to attract and retain subscribers.”
These latest deployments are built on the 4Caster C4 Three Screens encoder from Envivio, which supports high quality compression for H.264 and AVS, and an extensive array of network protocols including DTMB and CMMB. The flexible software design of the 4Caster C4 enables it to readily adapt to evolving standards and local requirement and as a result has been widely adopted in China where it supports delivery to all Three Screens.
Envivio 4Caster C4 provides mobile consumers with a smooth, first-rate viewing experience similar to what they expect from cable or satellite TV in the home. Using quality-enhancements such as Envivio Elite and Extreme codecs, 4Caster C4 optimizes video streams for each handset’s video resolution and aspect ratio, from budget 3G devices to the most advanced iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and other smartphones. Advanced QoS with new adaptive bitrate streaming technologies ensures continuous viewing even under changing Wi-Fi or 3G network conditions. The flexible Envivio software architecture enables the company to readily add support for new devices and ongoing quality enhancements.
Tags: 3G, 4Caster C4, Android, encoder, encoding, Envivio, iPhone, mobile, Screens, Smartphones, streams, System, Three, TV, Video, Window Mobile
Posted by Derrick on February 24, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression |
At the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype announced a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile™ product enhances Verizon Wireless’ smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.
The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:
- make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network;
- call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
- send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
- remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence.
Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9530, Storm2™ 9550, Curve™ 8330, Curve™ 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour™ 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS™ by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR™.
John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you’re not limited to using a single type of phone; we’ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.”
Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, “People want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it’s on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give U.S. consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally.”
Tags: 3G, 8830 World Edition, BlackBerry Storm, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, DROID, DROID ERIS, HTC, Motorola, Motorola DEVOUR, Skype, Smartphones, Storm2, Tour 9630, Verizon Wireless
Posted by Derrick on September 8, 2009 under Video Streaming and Compression |
The Frisco Fire Department (FFD) in Texas is using state-of-the-art Streambox video technology to better manage emergency operations and effectively deploy resources. With Streambox ACT-L3 video transport systems deployed onboard its emergency response vehicles, the fire department is able to transmit live video from a fire or other incident back to the City of Frisco’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The video provides the EOC with a comprehensive view of unfolding emergencies.
Serving a rapidly growing city of 102,000 north of Dallas, the FFD previously relied solely upon radio transmissions from firefighters at the scene to understand the specifics of an incident. Then a couple of years ago, employees from a local TV station suggested FFD look into streaming video as a tool to gaining better intelligence about developing emergencies. FFD quickly realized Streambox would be an invaluable tool for providing a bird’s eye view of emergencies, and for helping multiple city departments coordinate resources when a quick response is necessary. “Now, our EOC staff can proactively deliver the required response based on what they see, rather than having to wait for someone to describe the scene to them,” said FFD fire chief, Mack Borchardt. “Judging from our success with streaming video I believe the technology holds great potential for other fire departments across the country.
Currently, the FFD has equipped its special operations and hazardous materials (haz-mat) vehicles with mast-mounted cameras and Streambox SBT3-7100 systems, which encode the video for transmission over low data rate Verizon 3G wireless connections. Streambox decoders play out the video, including thermal and infrared imaging, to command at the scene and back to the central fire station’s EOC.
The Streambox solution is particularly valuable for incidents which require a coordinated response from multiple city departments. In a recent example, a natural gas line ruptured near a main thoroughfare creating a hazard for traffic and the surrounding area. With a view of the scene from the hazardous materials vehicle, the EOC was able to see the full extent of the hazard and quickly coordinate a response with police and traffic control personnel. Subsequently, rush-hour traffic was safely and efficiently rerouted. Being able to view live video from accidents, fires, and other emergencies provides an additional perspective which significantly impacts the ability to deploy the necessary resources and coordinate potential evacuation plans.
With the initial success of the Streambox technology on the Special Operations and haz-mat trucks, the FFD plans to deploy more encoders/decoders on a new command vehicle that will arrive at the department in August. The new truck will provide an on-site command center and will be capable of streaming video simultaneously to the EOC and to either the haz-mat or special operations trucks.
“It was crucial for us to deploy a reliable and easy-to-use streaming solution so our firefighters can turn their full attention to the emergency at hand,” said Paul Siebert, assistant chief of the FFD. “With Streambox we are able to get set up and start transmitting video in a matter of minutes – and every minute counts in an emergency.”
“The Frisco Fire Department’s use of Streambox video technology is a great example of the value our solutions bring to emergency operations,” said Bob Hildeman, chairman and CEO of Streambox. “It clearly demonstrates the reliability and performance of our products and solutions over low cost, low data rate IP network connections.
