Adobe boosts streaming video at IBC
Adobe has used the IBC 2010 Conference and Exhibition to announce the availability of Adobe Flash Media Server 4, as well as other video related announcements.
This major release encompasses three new versions of the server for streaming video and real-time communication: Flash Media Streaming Server 4, Flash Media Interactive Server 4 and Flash Media Enterprise Server 4, the first release to enable peer-assisted networking, with Real Time Media Flow Protocol (RTMFP), drastically reducing bandwidth usage. According to Adobe, the new versions advance the company’s leadership in rich media delivery and open significant new opportunities for content owners who want to deliver high quality, network efficient media experiences at a lower cost, while reaching the broadest possible audience, across any screen.
“The release of Flash Media Sever 4 software changes the game for the delivery of rich interactive media,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president of Creative and Interactive Solutions at Adobe. “By introducing a new enterprise server with peer-assisted networking and our RTMFP, we are transforming the way enterprise organisations and social media companies deliver rich interactive content by reducing the bandwidth costs associated with media delivery. The Adobe Flash Platform continues to set new standards in the delivery of compelling content to the widest possible audience.”
The Adobe Flash Media Server 4 family of products provides solutions designed for small- and medium-sized publishers up to large enterprise deployments. All versions of Adobe Flash Media Server 4 now leverage the full benefits of 64-bit operating systems, which provide nearly unlimited memory range to increase caching capacity, deliver more advanced interactive services and increase the quality of service.
Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 4
With Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 4 software, small- to medium-sized customers can start streaming high quality live and on-demand content quickly and easily to a wide variety of platforms and devices, with content protection and advanced playback experiences.
Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 4
Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 4 software enables secure, scalable live and on-demand playback experiences, along with real-time, social media applications. Now, customers can take advantage of network efficiencies with new IP multicast and live packaging with HTTP Dynamic Streaming for superior playback quality across the broadest range of platforms and devices.
Adobe Flash Media Enterprise Server 4
Building on the capabilities of the Flash Media Streaming and Flash Media Interactive Servers, Adobe Flash Media Enterprise Server 4 enables enterprise customers to deliver video communication and collaboration by providing a software approach to large-scale video streaming and social applications, across multiple screens. The new RTMFP technology reduces bandwidth usage without network upgrades by leveraging connected Adobe Flash Player clients for real-time data delivery across the network, enabling lower costs and more efficient network management. Customers can utilise IP multicast or peer-to-peer delivery independently or combine them as Multicast Fusion, further increasing the capacity and quality within both private and public networks.
“Our mission is to be the best place to meet new people – on the web or mobile phone – and we think video is one of the richer ways to communicate online,” said Gavin Roy, CTO of myYearbook. “We see great potential with Adobe Flash Media Server 4 software as a solution for our upcoming video chat service for premium users. We’ve seen great traction with our VIP Club and subscription offerings, and we think video will lead to additional uptake of premium services. Leveraging the Flash Platform will allow us to manage our own infrastructure, while keeping the cost of media delivery down.”
Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 4 is available now at £979.95. Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 4 is offered at £4,441,50. Adobe Flash Media Enterprise Server 4 pricing can be quoted by contacting Adobe.
Premiere Pro CS5 update
Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 receives an update for IBC
Adobe also announced Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 version 5.0.2 software, an update for Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 users that expands Adobe’s offering in native tapeless workflows and improves support for GPU-acceleration through the Mercury Playback Engine. The update also provides improved colour grading, improved audio support, RED Workflow improvements, including RED Rocket support, Sony XDCAM-HD export support, and enhanced native JVC QuickTime and DPX format support.
Adobe CS Review
To streamline video reviews, Adobe CS Review, a new online service that enables teams to collaborate more efficiently by providing frame-accurate comments on video projects over the web, now integrates with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5. New direct access from within Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 enhances the efficiency and convenience of using Adobe CS Live online services, which will be complimentary for a limited time.
BBC adoption
In a further announcement today at IBC, Adobe said the BBC is now implementing an additional 2,000 seats of Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 software as the primary tool for desktop non-linear editing. Adobe software is the non-linear editor solution of choice for the BBC’s Creative Desktop Initiative, through which the corporation is improving efficiency, creating a digital, tapeless environment and reducing costs.
“For entertaining, communicating and collaborating, Adobe is committed to providing world-class technology that is reshaping how video and rich interactive media experiences are created and delivered,” said Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe. “Adobe’s new technologies and simplified workflows are relied on by some of the biggest names in broadcasting and media. And we’re working closely with these companies to ensure they can build long term, profitable businesses around their unique content.”
