Niagara 7500 Makes Debut at NAB 2009

High-definition video streaming reaches a new level of quality and performance with the Niagara 7500 from ViewCast. Making its debut at NAB 2009, the Niagara 7500 simplifies the complex workflows associated with the transformation and delivery of high-definition video to IP and mobile networks. The Niagara 7500 features a sleek, innovative touch control interface with contextual menus that streamline and simplify the operation of this high-powered, dual quad core streaming appliance.

The unit features SD and HD SDI video inputs, balanced/unbalanced analog and AES/EBU digital audio, and eight stereo pairs of embedded SDI audio inputs. Users can switch on-the-fly between incoming SD and HD video, and stream in multiple bit rates and resolutions simultaneously in Microsoft VC-1, Silverlight, and H.264 Flash Live. The Niagara 7500 includes powerful video preprocessing tools such as closed-caption rendering, de-interlacing, and inverse telecine. Users can control multiple Niagara 7500 systems remotely with the included Niagara SCX Pro management software. Further, a robust SDK for application customization is also available, making the Niagara 7500 an ideal choice for the most demanding professional broadcasting applications. If you want to stop by the Viewcast booth they'll be at Booth #SL6020 (South Hall).

MainConcept Releases New Codec SDK 8.0

MainConceptGmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DivX, Inc. and one of the world's leading providers of video/audio codecs and software development kits (SDKs) to the broadcast, film and consumer markets, today announced the release of Codec SDK 8.0 with seamless integration and higher performance. This comprehensive package of industry leading codecs offers enhanced value such as 64-bit support and full AVC-Intra encoding to a wide range of industries including professional broadcast, healthcare, video-conferencing, surveillance, and consumer electronics.

Using the new Codec SDK 8.0, professional software developers can seamlessly integrate low level codec components and DirectShow filters for video, as well as audio encode and decode into their own solutions, thereby increasing the number of platforms. This allows developers to reduce integration work, save time and decrease costs, while increasing the overall solution quality since the same line of code is utilized.

In addition, all components for the Codec SDK 8.0 are available as 32-bit and 64-bit versions for Windows, Mac OS X (Intel) and Linux. A 64-bit SDK 8.0 for Mac OS X (Intel) and the MainConcept Reference SDK with the full feature set will be
available for licensing soon.

Full AVC-Intra 100/AVC-Intra 50 support is included in the SDK 8.0. Now available is a low delay flag to reduce latency, an essential feature for video-conferencing, as well as medical and security software using the H.264/AVC format. The H.264 and the MPEG-2 component for encoding have been optimized for improved quality.

Codec SDK 8.0 offers enhanced support for:

• Sony XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM DV (DVCAM), IMX profiles
• Panasonic AVC-Intra 100/AVC-Intra 50
• Digital Cinema (DCI 2K, DCI 4K)
• DXVA GPU Hardware Acceleration for H.264 and MPEG-2

On2 VP7 Video Codec Selected by 21Vianet

On2 Technologies, a leader in video compression solutions, announced it has licensed its VP7 video codec to 21ViaNet (China), Inc.. Founded in 1996, 21ViaNet is the leading carrier-neutral IDC service provider in China.

21ViaNet was named in Deloitte's '2008 Technology Fast 50 Companies in China' in recognition of its achievements and market success. The company has expansive partnerships with China's major telecom operators including China Telecom and China Unicom, as well as major content providers like CCTV. As part of its ongoing commitment to provide its extensive customer base with value added services, 21ViaNet has launched a new video services business division, using On2 Technologies'VP7 video codec as a key component of its video distribution platform.

The On2 VP7 video codec requires less data for high quality video, thereby reducing overall bandwidth costs without compromise to the end user viewing experience. As proprietary technology to On2, the video codec is patent pool free. This brings additional cost efficiency for publishing and distributing all kinds of content, as the video codec is not subject to MPEG-LA royalties. For more information about On2 VP7 please visit www.on2.com/on2video

The new On2 VP7-enabled video services division enables 21ViaNet to offer more value added options to its customers, assisting content providers and owners, such as TV stations and Telecom operators, to generate more traffic and to broaden revenue streams. 21Vianet is also currently developing another product that deploys On2 VP7 which it hopes will help promote sales of Internet video service enabled TV sets.

Wirecast Brings Live Video Production for Webcasts

A new real-time video production software product for Mac and PC users was added to Telestream's product lineup last summer when the company acquired Vara Software Ltd. Wirecast is a desktop application that turns any Mac or PC into a video studio, allowing users to quickly and easily capture live events, create and distribute content for real-time web delivery. Wirecast is useful for a broad range of businesses, including entertainment companies and corporate communications departments. Users can stream multiple live video cameras, while dynamically mixing in other media. Features include chroma key, built-in titles and a layering system. Live Earth, one of the world's largest webcasts, was powered by Wirecast, providing on-demand footage to more than 10 million simultaneous viewers on MSN.com.

Inlet Provides New Spinnakers at New Price Point

Inlet Technologies, the leader in advanced encoding solutions for new media, announced that it has introduced two new additions to its Spinnaker streaming media family of products. These new versions of the Spinnaker streaming appliance target any organization looking to stream live content to the Internet and desiring a high-quality experience for their viewers.

The two new Spinnaker models support either the Windows/VC1 or Flash/VP6 format and are available for only $4995. They provide the same network manageability, advanced features such as closed captioning and remote scheduling, intuitive, web-based user interface, and reputation that have caused many large media companies to standardize on the Spinnaker family, but are now available at a lower price point.

"Spinnaker is one of the key driving forces behind innovative digital media strategies for many organizations such as MLB Advanced Media, Home Shopping Network (HSN), MTV Networks, Heritage Auctions, and others," said Neal Page, Inlet CEO. "Now, any professional organization can provide the same kind of high quality, live event content to the Internet as these industry leaders."

These latest additions to the Spinnaker family also provide other standard features including best-in-class advanced encoding capabilities, SDI and analog inputs, job scheduling, SNMP management, multiple language support and more.

"We tested many other solutions before choosing Inlet's Spinnaker," said Brian Carpenter, Director of IT for Heritage Auction Galleries. "It's one of the best tools on the market for streaming media today."

Available in a variety of configurations, the Spinnaker family provides price/performance options for a wide range of delivery requirements to help programmers reach new audiences over new media networks. Each Spinnaker model delivers the bandwidth performance and unique features necessary to provide a true broadcast experience over any IP network. Spinnaker's powerful encoding engine makes it an ideal solution for streaming live events to the Internet.