TVBLOB launches vMax

(18 dic 2006) - TVBLOB Srl announced the launch of vMAX, a low-cost, broadcast-quality video streaming solution that works over the IP broadband network. A TV-oriented alternative to dedicated video feeds and satellite connections, vMAX enables any organization to create a mono or bi-directional video distribution platform as well as video communication links between televisions.
vMAX is a media center that, along with TVBLOB backend services, enables real-time, bi-directional streaming using just a television set, a standard videocamera and a broadband connection. The solution allows companies to easily create corporate TV broadcasts and stream them over corporate LANs. The broadcasts can be delivered to projection screens, televisions and personal computers across multiple locations, without costly investment in equipment or technical specialists.
With this video delivery platform, any business organization can create corporate TV channels or corporate Video On Demand libraries from various sources such as videocamera feeds, stored video files (VOD) or internal multicast video “playlists”. vMAX can stream live events such as video conferences, presentations or sales training. Plus, video communication features allow for remote collaboration between offices and workers in the form of video calls or “always on” video links.
Today’s market trends indicate that video content delivery over the web is fast becoming the most compelling communications medium for any organization. Now TVBLOB brings this capability to TVs. Television and film production companies, communications and public relations departments, and organizations with remote workers will derive the biggest advantage from vMAX’s bi-directional functionality as well as the versatility of the video distribution capabilities.
The set-up is simple and, once installed, managed completely by remote control. Plus, built-in browser support means that any organization can use simple HTML development tools to build TV portals.
“We are providing professionals with the means to truly take advantage of the power of the broadband network, and save a great deal of money in the process”, said Fabrizio Caffarelli, CEO of TVBLOB. “We’ve designed it to be a powerful yet simple streaming engine that also provides video communication - and much more.”
vMAX enables simultaneous video compression and decompression. Professionals have a full range of settings to accommodate streaming needs, including:
• Video bitrate from 128 Kbps up to 15 Mbps
• Audio codec for MP1-L2
• Video Resolution from QCIF to Full D1, PAL and NTSC
• Full frame-rate support (25/30 fps)
• Video codec for MPEG-2, MPEG-4

vMAX is based upon the TVBLOB platform, a technology in development for over four years and recent finalist in the Broadband World Forum InfoVision Awards. It is a Linux-based system that is completely extensible at both application and engine development levels. Beyond real-time, bi-directional video communication between televisions, the platform also enables video content publishing, Video On Demand (VOD), Digital Video Recording (DVR), timeshifting, and placeshifting. It can also integrate Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestial (DVB-T), Digital Video Broadcasting Cable (DVB-C), and other diverse services.