News

Digital Rapids Releases Stream 2.3 Software Update (3/8/2006)

Digital Rapids ­ a leading developer of scalable solutions for content ingest, encoding, transcoding, protection and delivery ­ has released version 2.3 of the Stream software. The Stream software provides a simple, streamlined interface for video and audio ingest, encoding, transcoding and distribution with Digital Rapids DRC-Stream, StreamZ and StreamZHD media encoding systems.

Stream 2.3 includes new video processing plug-ins, extended MPEG support, additional Closed Caption support and much more.

³Since previewing this new version at NAB in April, our customers have been eagerly awaiting its release,² said Brick Eksten, President of Digital Rapids Corporation. ³Our beta testers have realized immediate workflow benefits, while new features designed to meet the specific requirements of particular market segments have enabled them to capitalize on new content distribution opportunities. Whether customers are using the systems for IPTV, VOD, web streaming, archiving, mobile production or post, there¹s a new feature in version 2.3 that they can take advantage of.²

³Once again, Digital Rapids has proven to be very responsive to customer feedback and committed to ongoing workflow enhancements to meet the challenges of rapidly evolving formats and distribution channels,² said Ed Elliott of Ascent Media Group, a Stream beta tester.

Stream 2.3 features new software-based, keyframeable video processing plug-ins to modify the incoming video during live ingest or transcoding. Plug-ins include graphic or video overlay, enabling still images or motion video to be superimposed over the input source, plus color space conversion and more.

MPEG-related enhancements include a new post-encode muxing tool, enabling multi-channel audio file creation and more; enhanced compatibility with VOD server specifications; additional closed captioning options; and additions to the MPEG2 live streaming capabilities to support both UDP and RTP/RTSP.

Other new features include:

Support for additional Windows Media DRM license providers (now including SyncCast, thePlatform, and Entriq)
SCC and SAMI Closed Caption file creation and re-multiplexing allow mixed mode file ingest, delivery, re-encoding and playout while preserving Closed Caption data
Improved DVD support through Direct to DVD authoring with both menu-driven and menuless playback
Clip trimming prior to transcoding clips
Post production quality video formats with robust and accurate timecode preservation for future transcoding, including advanced broken timecode support

The Stream 2.3 software is available in three configurations ­ Stream LE, StreamPro (with expanded workflow automation, integration, and transcoding capabilities) and StreamEnterprise (adding remote control capabilities). Stream LE is included with DRC-Stream ingest/encoding hardware bundles, with StreamPro available as a software option. StreamEnterprise is included with StreamZ and StreamZHD servers, and is also available as a software option for DRC-Stream users. Not all configurations include all new Stream 2.3 features as standard.

Registered Stream 2.0 or 2.1 customers can download the Stream 2.3 update for free from the Digital Rapids web site. Stream LE 1.5 users are also eligible for a free update to Stream LE 2.3. StreamPro 2.3 and StreamEnterprise 2.3 are available for users of Stream version 1.5 or earlier as a chargeable upgrade. The complete line of Digital Rapids products, including the Stream 2.3 software, will be showcased at IBC 2006 in September, in stand number 7.641.

www.digital-rapids.com

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