At this week's International Broadcasters Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, Adobe is delivering new tools for streaming broadcasts to more mobile devices, including Apple's wildly popular iPad and iPhone.
No longer will target devices need to have Adobe Flash-playing capability in order to display video broadcast by Adobe Flash Media Server, which was updated to version 4.5 today. But that was just one of several new technologies being unveiled or demonstrated by Adobe today, however. Others include Flash Access 3.0, Open Source Media Framework (OSMF), and Adobe Pass.
In addition to the added iOS device support, Flash Media Server 4.5 will simplify deployment of advertising-supported online video. It will also let content providers far more easily offer on-demand streaming of a single video source to multiple target devices.
Flash Access is a studio-level content protection and monetization system that has been updated to support delivery to mobile devices. The new version lets content providers use a single back-end workflow to deliver content to multiple targets, including Android tablets and phones, connected TVs and Blu-Ray players. This, however, will require the upcoming Flash Player 11 or AIR 3, which should be available this quarter. The new system will allow users to create a personal video locker accessible from any of their screens, large or small.
Adobe Pass is a mechanism that enables cable networks to directly offer "TV Everywhere" pay content to their subscribers. Pass lets viewers sign in once to access content from multiple sources. For the provider, it offers easy integration, an open framework, and security. Ninety percent of pay TV households now have access to Adobe Pass providers, which include networks like AMC, Fox, IFC, CNN, TNT and A&E. Cable carriers that have signed on include Comcast, DirecTV, AT&T, Time Warner, and Verizon.
OSMF is an open-source framework for building video players and apps. The new version 1.6 adds Stage Video support with hardware-accelerated video, which means lower battery consumption on mobile devices. It also now supports multiple languages, home-and-away options, and multiple audio tracks for accessibility needs. A new DVR-like feature will require Flash Media Server 4.5, and HTTP streaming has been improved for higher-quality video playback.
PCMag.com spoke with Ashley Still, Adobe director of product management, last week about the company's new streaming video offerings. When asked what they meant for consumers, Still said, "Flash Media Server 4.5 is really about delivering broadcast-quality content. The biggest impact to consumers is that they can get premium content online, pay once and they don’t have to think about where they're going to watch. It doesn't have to be just on the TV, but can be on tablets (including the iPad now), mobile phones, and even Internet-connected Blu-ray players. And it's on-demand."
As for broadcasters, "it makes sense to add support for new devices, and they won't have to lose revenue they're already getting," she said.
Prices broadcasters will pay for the products haven't changed from previous versions, with Flash Media Streaming Server 4.5 starting at $995, the Interactive Server edition costing $4,500, and the Enterprise Server going for $45,000. It's also available as a service from various partners and CDNs, such as Amazon and Akamai. Flash Access is priced by CPM or unit, while Open Source Media Framework is a free download. For more on Adobe's video server products, visit Adobe's Flash Media Server family page.
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