Chunghwa Telecom Chooses Envivio to Drive iPhone, 3GPP Mobile TV Service

Posted by Derrick on June 15, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Envivio announced that N-Type, a leading systems integrator in Taiwan, is deploying a multi-channel Envivio Mobile TV Headend that will enhance the capabilities of Taiwan’s largest telecommunications company, Chunghwa Telecom (CHT). The all-IP Envivio Mobile TV head-end featuring the 4Caster™ C4 Three Screens encoder/transcoder replaces CHT’s existing software-based infrastructure, enabling CHT to support today’s most exciting Android smartphones and the Apple iPhone. The headend will deliver both 3GPP and HTTP live streaming services. CHT presently serves over 9.4 million mobile subscribers, with more than half of those (4.9 million) receiving 3G services.

“The CHT team knows that when a subscriber chooses an advanced smartphone, they expect to take full advantage of their device’s vibrant screen and performance capabilities,” said Wilson Liu, General Manager, N-type. “Envivio’s Mobile TV Headend will enable CHT to deliver services that consistently provide an outstanding experience that is tailored to today’s most desirable devices. We are also streamlining CHT’s operations because Envivio multi-profile encoders simultaneously prepare content for all devices and delivery methods.”

Envivio’s Mobile TV Headend uses the 4Caster C4 to encode content in multiple profiles to enable full support for Apple’s HTTP live streaming technology. This adaptive live streaming solution combined with Envivio’s H.264 Extreme™ codec ensures the continuous delivery of video to iPhones, regardless of fluctuations in network bandwidth. Envivio’s 4Caster C4 simultaneously streams the same content for 3G devices, which can include iPhones and the latest generation Android smartphones. Advanced features such as network-aware rate control and video display aspect ratio management help to ensure the best quality of experience for customers.

“The mobile device landscape is constantly changing,” said Envivio CEO Julien Signès. “The Envivio Mobile TV Headend gives service providers like CHT the flexibility and reliability needed so that they are fully prepared to support the demands of their subscribers with the best possible video experience, regardless of what new device or format may come along. The expertise of our partner, N-Type, is invaluable in helping CHT smoothly and quickly migrate its headend.”

The Envivio 4Caster C4 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.

Limelight Networks Announces HTTP Dynamic Streaming Support for the Adobe Flash Platform

Posted by Derrick on June 9, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Limelight Networks, Inc. extended its longstanding strategic relationship with Adobe by announcing support for HTTP Dynamic Streaming for the Adobe(R) Flash(R) Platform. Through this relationship, Limelight Networks will be first content delivery service in production with the solution. The announcement was made at the Streaming Media East trade show (May 11-13, 2010 in New York, NY), where Limelight Networks and Adobe were demonstrating.

Content publishers can begin working with Limelight Networks today to prepare their infrastructure and design their content distribution strategies for HTTP Dynamic Streaming. They can use the beta of Adobe Flash Player 10.1 to experience the high-quality streaming that this innovative platform provides for their online audiences, and then be ready for immediate service deployment when the final version of Flash Player 10.1 is released which is expected in the first half of 2010.

“Limelight Networks and Adobe engineering resources have collaborated over the past few months to integrate the innovations of HTTP Dynamic Streaming and Adobe Flash Media Server with our global delivery platform. Together, we have developed a finely-tuned delivery service that supports standards-based HTTP streaming,” said Peter Coppola, vice president, Limelight Networks, Inc. “We are pleased that through our collaboration with Adobe on this project, we have first-mover advantage in helping our customers create brilliant HTTP Dynamic Streaming experiences on a global basis.”

“Our close collaboration with Limelight during the pre-release of HTTP Dynamic Streaming has well positioned us to meet early demand by proving and demonstrating the technology to customers like DirecTV. With the upcoming release of Flash Player 10.1, customers will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the Adobe Flash Platform while also taking advantage of the proven, global HTTP infrastructure and software innovations of the Limelight Networks content delivery service,” said Doug Mack, vice president and general manager, Digital Imaging and Rich Media Solutions at Adobe. “The Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) in Adobe Flash Media Server remains the leading protocol of choice delivering video on the Web. However, HTTP Dynamic Streaming complements RTMP and provides additional streaming functionality such as adaptive bit rate technology and intelligent content caching.”

Limelight DELIVER support for HTTP Dynamic Streaming is expected during Q2 2010.

Digital Rapids Expanding Adaptive Bit Rate Support with Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming

Posted by Derrick on June 4, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Digital Rapids — the leading provider of tools and solutions for bringing television, film and Web content to wider audiences –  announced that the company will incorporate direct support for the upcoming HTTP Dynamic Streaming technology from Adobe within Digital Rapids’ comprehensive range of studio encoding, transcoding and live streaming systems.

HTTP Dynamic Streaming is a new delivery method, enabling on-demand and live adaptive bit rate streaming of standards-based MP4 media over HTTP to Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR applications. This capability gives content creators, developers and publishers more choice in high quality media delivery while maintaining the reach of the Flash platform. While RTMP, the Adobe Flash Media Server protocol for streaming video, remains the protocol of choice for lowest latency, fastest start, dynamic buffering and stream encryption, HTTP Dynamic Streaming leverages existing HTTP Web infrastructure and cache technologies to help increase capacity and reduce delivery costs for large scale publishers. HTTP Dynamic Streaming’s adaptive bit rate capabilities will automatically switch between multiple streams at varying bit rates to provide consistent, uninterrupted viewing experiences up to HD quality even under dramatically changing network connectivity and playback conditions.

“Digital Rapids has a strong history with video on the Flash platform, and we’re excited to have their support for HTTP Dynamic Streaming,” said Scott Wellwood, Director of Business Development for Dynamic Media at Adobe. “Digital Rapids’ extensive range of solutions for live and on-demand content creation and transformation are used by some of the world’s top media organizations and service providers, and we look forward to working with Digital Rapids to bring HTTP Dynamic Streaming to their customers.”

In addition to compatibility with Adobe’s HTTP Dynamic Streaming tools, support for the creation of on-demand media for HTTP Dynamic Streaming delivery will be integrated directly into Digital Rapids’ award-winning StreamZ and StreamZHD encoding systems, and the Digital Rapids Transcode Manager enterprise-class, distributed transcoding software. Live HTTP Dynamic Streaming will be supported in StreamZ, StreamZHD and select models in the StreamZ Live family of dedicated live encoders, including the recently-announced StreamZHD Live ABR adaptive bit rate streaming system. (Please see our March 8 press release for more details about StreamZHD Live ABR).

“HTTP Dynamic Streaming will provide a robust new delivery option for content providers streaming to viewing experiences built on Adobe Flash technologies, and we’re pleased to be working with Adobe to support it,” said Darren Gallipeau, Product Manager at Digital Rapids. “The addition of HTTP Dynamic Streaming support alongside our existing RTMP-based capabilities for Adobe Flash technology will let our customers choose their preferred, optimal delivery method while leveraging the industry-leading quality, performance and flexibility of our solutions.”

Apple QuickTime Streaming Server Great for Streaming to Mobile Devices

Posted by Derrick on March 21, 2010 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Apple QuickTime Streaming Server is great for streaming to mobile devices.  When it comes to Real-time Streaming using the RTSP protocol this streaming server is a great choice.  Since you can stream on HTTP Port 80 this makes the playback much easier on most smartphones that support streaming video.  With the QuickTime Streaming Server you can call .3gp or .3g2 videos up via an RTSP URL.  Just add a hyperlink when you’re authoring your web pages to throw the video you want to the appropriate media player. An added benefit of using Apple’s QuickTime Streaming Server is you can create 24/7 channels for streaming as well.

HSN GOES MOBILE WITH APPLE iPHONE

Posted by Derrick on August 18, 2009 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

HSN (hsn.com), the leading interactive lifestyle network and retail destination, announces the launch of a dynamic new application (“app”) for the Apple® iPhone™ and iPod® touch®. The 45 million subscribers to the devices who download the HSN Shop App now have the ability to view HSN programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the US. The launch creates the e-commerce industry’s first live-video “3-screen experience,” enabling consumers to browse and shop the network’s 35,000-plus array of products from home or on the go.

 

All the engaging highlights that HSN and hsn.com users enjoy are packed into the clever app, available for download at both the iTunes App Store and hsn.com. Live, ‘round-the-clock HSN TV (along with a library of original videos), the HSN Today’s Special, Items Recently Aired, and the many hosts, featured designers and their tens of thousands of products are among the familiar and favorite hallmarks of HSN programming that will be available through the  mobile experience. Additionally, the HSN Shop App brings with it a set of new features, including the interactive shake2shop, which, with a simple shake of the device, generates random product recommendations as well as deals and promotions targeted at HSN’s mobile customers.

 

“Our customer is fashionable and discerning, and thrives on information, ideas and discovery,” says HSNi CEO, Mindy Grossman. “HSN strives to be the true multichannel experience, and this new iPhone app now allows our customer to take HSN with her, anytime, anywhere, and be that reliable, ‘on-the-go’ resource for lifestyle information she craves.”

 

The HSN Shop App also makes for a seamless transactional experience, allowing the user to call HSN directly or use the device’s browser to purchase an item. Items can also be saved for later purchase, or emailed to a friend.

 

While the HSN Shop App is supremely navigable and user-friendly,hsn.com will soon feature a tutorial that walks all new users through the app’s various fundamentals and features. To insure the optimal experience, the app will also evolve based on customer feedback.

 

“HSN truly leads the way in total convergence of its media technologies,” says Brian Bradley, EVP/ GM, HSN Online & Advanced Services. “The loyalty of our customer base has been predicated in large part on a unique ability to engage them in all aspects of their lives, and the addition of a mobile ‘third screen’ opens up an entirely new dimension for interaction.”

 

Inlet Technologies’ SpinnakerTM live streaming appliance provides the encoding backbone for the HSN Shop App’s streaming video. Spinnaker fully supports Apple’s HTTP adaptive streaming, which reduces buffering and other interruptions to create an exceptional viewing experience and diminish latency, helping HSN customers move through the purchasing process quickly. Inlet, the leader in advanced encoding solutions for new media, has been a HSN web streaming partner since 2008.

 

At launch, the HSN Shop App will be marketed via on-air promos run throughout HSN TV programming. Other promotional efforts will follow.

 

The HSN Shop App arrives amidst HSN’s ongoing multichannel convergence effort, which includes expansion of its Shop-by-Remote service and complete transition to high-definition (HD) format.