--Platform Also Being Used by Best Buy, Blockbuster, Sonic Solutions
Content security specialist, Widevine, revealed Wednesday that its video optimization and DRM platform for over-the-top and TV Everywhere services delivered to retail consumer electronics devices is being used by Netflix to secure the latter's "Watch Instantly" instant streaming service; and also announced the commercial availability of version 4.4.4 of the platform.
According to the company, features offered by the new release include:
- Support for live HTTP streaming, file downloads, progressive downloads and P2P distribution.
- HTTP adaptive streaming for smooth playback of content, even with fluctuating bandwidth.
- Trick-play and chaptering, in order to enable a "virtual DVD experience."
- Multiplatform DRM to keep content secure, regardless of the device it is delivered to.
- Support for multichannel audio.
Widevine also says that version 4.4.4 of its platform increases the number of supported retail devices. According to the company, devices supported by the platform include the Apple Mac, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; Haier Blu-ray players; LG Electronics TV's, Blu-ray players and home theater systems; the Nintendo Wii; Philips Blu-ray players; Samsung Blu-ray players and TV's; Toshiba Blu-ray players; Windows PC platforms; and over 50 set-top box models from major brands.
Other OTT content providers that are using Widevine's platform, in addition to Netflix, include Best Buy, Blockbuster and Sonic Solutions (Roxio CinemaNow). The company says that the platform is also being used by large cable, satellite and telco operators that are launching "TV Everywhere" strategies. "[Sonic's] collaboration with Widevine helps further our vision to allow consumers to access digital Hollywood content anytime, anywhere," Sonic Solutions president and CEO, Dave Habiger, said in a prepared statement. "Widevine's adaptive streaming, interactive DVD/ Blu-ray features and DRM ensure content remains secure on any device consumers are using, while maintaining the highest quality digital entertainment experience." Added Widevine CEO, Brian Baker: "These various content service providers and device manufacturers continue to launch cutting-edge services to remain at the forefront of home entertainment, and Widevine is pleased to be part of these endeavors. With its video optimization technologies and studio-approved DRM, Widevine can enable these services effectively and at a low cost."
In related news: Netflix revealed Wednesday that 55% of its customers streamed a movie or TV episode for more than 15 minutes during the first quarter, compared to 48% for the prior quarter and 36% for the year-ago quarter.
-
Related Content on [itvt]
|
|
Recent News
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (I): Arris, Moxi, NDS, Audible Magic, Avail-TVN, NBC, Azuki, D-Link, BBC, BeeSmart, Blinkx, Brightcove
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (II): Cable Show's "Imagine Park," Ceton, Comcast, Skype, eBay, Entone, Foxtel, Xbox 360, IAB, Mass Relevance, Motorola, Nagra-OpenTV
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (III): NCM, Netflix, Ocean Blue, Peel, Perform, Roku, SeaChange, Avail-TVN, Tellabs, Shazam, E!, Billboard Awards
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (IV): Softel, Synacor, The CW, Interlude, Time Warner Cable, BlackArrow, Vutopia, HBO Go, Motorola, Turner, Funny or Die, TVplus, UIEvolution, CTVMA
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (I): ABC, IntoNow, Aereo, Alticast, AT&T, Xbox, BBC, Olympics, BT Vision, CableNET, Cablevision, CBC, never.no, NeuLion, LaunchFire
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (III): Ensequence, FameUp.TV, Foxconn, Apple, Hillcrest Labs, Michael Kiwanuka, FanCake, LG Electronics, Google TV, John Mayer, LookeeTV, Netflix, Twentieth Century Fox
Interactive TV Headlines Round-Up (IV): Nuance, Samsung, ONO, TiVo, Orange TVCheck, PlayJam, Youda Games, RayV, Realtor.com, Cox, Rentrak, SnagFilms
|
|
