The word is out--Move Networks is leading the industry in providing long-form video on the Internet.
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UK–based IPTV broadcaster Inuk Networks and US online TV streaming specialist Move Networks have formed a partnership they claim will revolutionise web TV.
Inuk will integrate Move Networks’ video publishing system, including Move Simulcode and Move Adaptive Stream, with its Igloo Freewire set–top–box solution.
PressPass: You also just recently announced investment in Move Networks. Can you tell us a little about that?
Guthrie: In August, Microsoft took an equity stake in Move Networks, a leader in HTTP-based video delivery. Move has developed an adaptive streaming technology that seamlessly adjusts image quality to fit available bandwidth on each viewer’s Internet connection, creating a high-quality Internet television viewing experience. This investment builds on a strategic partnership we announced with Move Networks in March of 2008.
PressPass: What do you hope to get out of this investment?
Guthrie: The combination of Microsoft and Move Networks’ technologies allows users to experience high-quality, skip-free Internet television programming and allows media companies to insert branding, navigation, advertising and other rich interactive elements in and around their Internet television video streams.
Is it just me, or are you also noticing that the quality of your online video experience is getting consistently better and better? Even though I’m totally immersed in the space, periodically I will find myself watching something online and still think to myself, “This quality is just unreal!”
I’ve had the experience of watching some or all of the following recently: the Democratic convention on demconvention.com, the movie “Ordinary People” on Hulu, swimming on NBCOlympics.com, trailers on Fancast and “Eli Stone” on ABC.com, among others. In each case, the quality of the video is outstanding, even in full screen mode.
All of this is due to tremendous innovation in the content delivery world. This includes not only traditional CDNs such as Akamai, Limelight, Level 3, CDNetworks and others, but a raft of other players specifically focused on optimizing video delivery quality such as Move Networks, Swarmcast, Digital Fountain, Vusion, BitGravity and others. Further enhancing the experience are improvements in media players like Windows Media, Flash, QuickTime and more recently Silverlight.
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Sept. 9, 2008 — Microsoft Silverlight has recently played a major role helping to shape some of the world’s biggest events in recent months. Silverlight – Microsoft’s cross-browser, cross-platform solution for delivering rich interactive applications and content experiences on the Web – helped viewers experience both the Olympic Games and the U.S. Democratic National Convention on the Web, providing an interactive, high-quality way for people to view both events.
Later this week, at the International Broadcasting Conference (IBC) 2008 in Amsterdam, Microsoft Corp. will demonstrate an important new capability for Silverlight – playback of H.264-based video. H264 is a standard video specification that delivers high-definition video over a variety of delivery channels. During the event, Microsoft will also highlight how customers in Europe are reaping the benefits of adopting Silverlight.
The company recently made a strategic investment in Move Networks Inc., as the two companies continue to work together to deliver high-quality, skip-free Internet television programming over HTTP-based networks.
The technology being used by ABC and Fox to stream HD TV is from Move Networks – with their partnerships with Fox and ABC, Move Networks are currently the most high profile providers of HD TV streaming technology which runs on a PC not a dedicated set-top box. Check out the demo video on their home page, which is simply stunning. You will need a dedicated 2Mb pipe at least and a PC with a 256MB graphics card to see it at its best. I’ve streamed this video into an HD projector and blown it up onto an 85” screen, and it looks every bit as good as my HD satellite picture.
“By integrating their services with Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, Move Networks’ strengthens its ability to offer media companies and other publishers the most powerful and flexible end-to-end solution available for the delivery of high-quality, engaging Internet television programming.
The first demonstration of this collaboration can be viewed this week, as the Democratic National Committee uses Microsoft’s Silverlight technology and Move Networks’ Internet television services to deliver viewers live video from its 2008 convention in Denver. Viewers can watch live coverage online by visiting the Democratic Convention Web site and clicking on www.demconvention.com.”
Move Networks continued to rack up funding Tuesday as Microsoft announced plans to invest in the HD online video service. Microsoft and Move began a strategic partnership in March, with Microsoft using Move’s video streaming technology in its Silverlight player, which NBC used to provide online video of the Olympics.
Microsoft did not announce the terms of the investment, but it will add to the more than $67 million Move has raised since 2006.
The Microsoft and Move technology partnership is on display this week at the Democratic National Convention, as the DNC enlisted the two companies to stream live online video of the convention. According to the companies, the combined technology allows for uninterrupted video streams that adapt to the end-users connection speed to eliminate lag.
“Besides being covered in high definition for the first time, tonight when the Democratic National Convention kicks off, while comparing HD feeds, we’ll be looking out for the three 103-inch Panasonic plasmas conveniently located behind the podium.
Update: You can check ‘em out now on the live HD Silverlight / Move Networks powered stream at the Democratic National Convention website, along with hilariously out of sync and delirious dancing courtesy of convention attendees.”