Imagine Comms Debuts CloudXtream

Imagine Communications has announced CloudXtream, a new cloud video platform for multiscreen video distribution and monetisation.

The solution is aimed at meeting video distribution requirements such as live video, video on demand (VOD), cloud DVR (cDVR), dynamic ad insertion (DAI), packaging, encoding, transcoding, storage management and cloud orchestration.

The initial components of the modular CloudXtream platform include CloudXtream cDVR and CloudXtream Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI).

"Content accessibility is a critical factor for any video service in today's multiscreen world. Many consumers now expect to access their video service on almost any connected device, and video service providers are aggressively moving to address these evolving expectations," said Brett Sappington, director of research, Parks Associates. "At the same time, a cloud-based approach to the DVR can also provide several other benefits including scalability, expanded storage, enhanced features, and new revenue opportunities."

CloudXtream cDVR enables cloud-based content to be readily accessible from any location and on any device. It includes a range of options like rewinding, restarting and replaying scenes and allows consumers to time-shift and consume self-selected content at their convenience.

For broadcasters, it enables the creation of incremental paid service offerings to subscription-based OTT businesses, as well as enabling user-centric personalisation and management of content. Subscribers can be offered new services such as increased storage and enhanced time-shift options, an unlimited look-back window, start-pause-stop of both linear and VOD content, and concurrent recording of simultaneous programs.

CloudXtream cDVR enables the reduction of truck rolls associated with home-based DVR/set-top boxes. It also gives Pay-TV providers the ability to deliver robust content within or outside of their traditional footprints. Advertising can be provided to viewers, enhancing the value of ads and helping maximise the monetisation of content.

"The value of an advertisement can be reduced or discounted altogether when it is stale, not the optimal ad for a particular avail, or the ad is not relevant to the viewer," said Sarah Foss, vice president, Product Management, Advertising Management Systems, Imagine Communications. "The advertising ecosystem works best when viewers and advertisers see the value of relevant ads, which increases monetization opportunities for VSPs."

Imagine Communications' CloudXtream DAI solution is aimed at allowing VSPs to maximise advertising revenue from both linear and nonlinear/online advertising. It can be used by broadcasters, cable MSOs, mobile operators, OVDs, telcos, and satellite providers across a variety of service offerings, including the CloudXtream cDVR solution, other cloud DVR or time-shifted content applications, video streaming from any Internet-centric or on-demand source, as well as other nonlinear or linear operations.

Manifest manipulation is made possible across all event types, including live, VOD, pre-record cDVR, hot-record cDVR, and blackouts. In addition, decision and analytics tools to help maximise value for all ad placements. Standards-based and proven in live deployments, CloudXtream DAI offers a distributed architecture for independent scaling and redundancy.

The CloudXtream cloud video platform offers flexible pricing including XaaS models. CloudXtream is powered by Zenium, Imagine Communications' workflow manager that enables users to design, deploy, maintain, manage and scale software-defined workflows.

"Our industry is experiencing once-in-a-generation change and is at a powerful inflection point where vision and innovation are intersecting with reality," said Charlie Vogt, CEO, Imagine Communications. "The control of content, device and timing is increasingly being defined by the end user. Our cloud video platform, CloudXtream, is designed for media networks, broadcasters and service providers to enable a better, faster and more affordable experience for consumers. CloudXtream is a modular platform design, enabling our customers to abstract value by deploying some, part or all of its functional capability."

Imagine Communications will be demoing the new solutions on both 2702 at NAB 2015.

www.imaginecommunications.com

(IT/JP)