All Eyes On Streaming To Mobile Devices

Posted by Derrick on October 5, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

All eyes are on streaming to mobile devices.  Around 2004 there was an explosion in regards to streaming video.  Just a few years prior around 2001 you had to actually to search for streaming video content and sometimes you still couldn’t find it. Well those days are over.  Streaming video is available everywhere on the desktop and now the primary target is the mobile device.  This brings lots of excitement as well as a new twist for those content providers already delivering streaming media. Most content providers are already implementing streaming to mobile or at least talking about it.

What’s nice about streaming delivery to mobile devices is that we’re finally seeing the benefit of having a streaming standard such as MPEG-4.  What were seeing today is much different from the desktop streaming format wars with Windows Media, Flash, Real Media and QuickTime.  What’s leading the way is H.264 which makes up Part 10 of the MPEG-4 Standard.  Many of the latest devices support H.264 which is key to providing exceptional quality at low datarates as well interoperability within mobile devices.  Just by having the option to move to delivering streaming video on mobile devices using H.264 and not MPEG-4 instantly improves the overall streaming video quality to many devices.  The mobile manufacturers deserve much credit for improving processors with their devices along with including the support for H.264. Now the stage is set with all eyes on streaming to mobile devices.  Let the next streaming explosion begin.

2 Day Training covers H.264 vs MPEG-4

Posted by Derrick on July 10, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Our 2 Day Training covers H.264 vs MPEG-4.  This is one of the benefits of our 2-Day Video Streaming and Compression Training.   Besides learning how to encode to Windows Media, Real Media, QuickTime, H.264 and Flash students learn about MPEG-4’s and H.264’s role in the MPEG-4 standard.  Our 2-Day Video Streaming and Compression class also provides students with fully functional web authoring templates for streaming video. Check our Video Streaming Training Schedule to participate in the next 2-Day Video Streaming and Compression Training. You can also call us at 407.477.5837 or E-mail us at info@freemancompression.com to get more details.

Looping Video Playlists Possible With JW Player and Wowza Media Server

Posted by Derrick on June 5, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Looping video playlists are possible with JW Player and Wowza Media Server.  With the JW Player you can refer to the videos in your playlist that sit on your Wowza Media Server.  You can set the video playlist to autoplay and repeat the playback of your videos.  The videos that playback in your looping video playlist  can be either in the Flash .FLV, F4V flavor or as H.264 .mp4, .M4v video files.  Both JW Player and Wowza have some amazing capabilities and the ‘looping video playlists’ is another one to add to the list.

ViewCast Announces Support for WebM Project Niagara SCX streaming media software to utilize open-source VP8 video codec

Posted by Derrick on May 22, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

ViewCast Corporation, a developer of industry-leading solutions for the transformation, management and delivery of digital media over IP and mobile networks, announced support of the WebM open web media project and the open sourcing of the VP8 video codec. Starting the third quarter of this year, Niagara SCX will enable users to capture and stream video utilizing VP8 – the high performance, open-source video codec that contributes to the WebM project under a royalty free license.

WebM gives developers the ability to innovate with and deploy high-quality video compression technology without the constraints of title-based royalty fees or other license fees. Device manufacturers can also integrate successive generations of video technology without additional royalties. End users will enjoy high-quality video and smooth video playback on all their web video devices, including low-power devices, such as netbooks and mobile phones. Mozilla, Opera, Google, YouTube, and many major software and hardware manufacturers have already expressed plans to support VP8 and WebM.

“Web-based video is the fastest-growing contributor to data usage over IP networks, and we applaud the introduction of a high-quality, open source video format option,” said ViewCast President and CEO Dave Stoner. “ViewCast always strives to enable our customers to achieve the best possible video experience on the Web. By offering support for both H.264 and WebM streaming formats, we reinforce our commitment to leverage new video technologies as they emerge, and keep pace with developments as the web continues to evolve.”

“A key factor in the web’s success is that its core technologies are open and freely implementable. Video is fundamental to the web experience, and developers and content publishers need an open video format option,” said Mike Jazayeri, Group Product Manager at Google. “We are excited ViewCast is joining a broad coalition of industry leaders supporting the WebM project to bring a new era of open innovation in web video.”

Niagara SCX software comes pre-installed on the Niagara Pro II, Niagara GoStream SURF and Niagara 7500 streaming media appliances. All ViewCast streaming media appliances are designed to deliver the quality, features and ease-of-use convenience that professional broadcasters demand. They are pre-configured, plug-and-play solutions that enable users to quickly capture and broadcast premium quality audio and video in multiple formats and at multiple bit rates – all simultaneously.

The Orlando Magic Scores with Telestream HD Transcoding

Posted by Derrick on May 16, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Telestream, a leading provider of digital media tools and workflow solutions, announced that Orlando Magic Broadcasting has successfully deployed its FlipFactory video transcoding automation product for fast, efficient HD file format conversion and delivery of game-action highlights and pre-produced features for the National Basketball Association (NBA) team. Orlando Magic Broadcasting is the in-house video and audio production department for the Orlando Magic professional basketball team.

“Game action highlights are the bricks we use to build anything we need,” said Rick Price, Assistant Director of Broadcast Technology and Services for Orlando Magic. “We looked at other video transcoding solutions and found that Telestream was the only one that could decode and encode the proprietary EVS format. FlipFactory provides a cost-effective solution, fast transcoding speed, and tremendous workflow improvement.”

Prior to Telestream, camera shots and non-game actions were captured in HD via the OB truck. However, the Orlando Magic were unable to convert important game action highlights from their EVS slow motion, instant replay system into HD-compatible files for editing on Final Cut Pro systems. This kept them from being able to deliver HD content for game telecasts.

Since deploying Telestream’s FlipFactory video transcoder, over seven Terabytes of HD game highlights were transcoded during the 2008/2009 season alone. Price said that while he chose FlipFactory for game highlight conversions, he’s found that he can use it to do a lot more, including transcoding back to EVS HD, Flash for the web, H.264 for proxies, and Windows Media for review and approvals.

“We’re pleased that the Orlando Magic chose FlipFactory as the important final link in delivering superior-quality, all-HD broadcasts to its viewers,” said Barbara DeHart, VP of Marketing at Telestream. “One of FlipFactory’s strengths is the depth and breadth of formats and systems it supports, including the EVS system for sports broadcasters.”

FlipFactory provides a cost-effective alternative to buying and maintaining an expensive HD tape deck to record HD game highlights. It also eliminates the extra steps involved in handling and laying video off to tape. According to Price, “For the cost of the FlipFactory software and a server, we now have an all-HD workflow.”

Telestream FlipFactory video transcoding automation software offers more video and audio formats and third-party system support than any other file format conversion solution on the market. Used by thousands of the world’s most demanding media and entertainment companies, FlipFactory provides direct media and metadata integration and file exchange between all major professional systems.

FlipFactory is sold through a worldwide network of direct sales and resale channels. More information is available at www.telestream.net