Imagine Communications has introduced CloudXtream, a comprehensive cloud video platform for multiscreen video distribution and monetization. The solution has been designed to meet the growing and complex array of video distribution requirements including live video, 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).
“Our industry is experiencing once-in-a-generation change,†declares Charlie Vogt, CEO at 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.â€
CloudXtream cDVR supports lean-forward viewing, with cloud-based content accessible from any location and on any device. “The wide variety of options like rewinding, restarting and replaying scenes allows consumers to easily time-shift and consume their self-selected content at their convenience,†Imagine Communications says.
The company says broadcasters can use CloudXtream cDVR to create incremental paid service offerings to their subscription-based OTT businesses, as well as enabling user-centric personalization and management of content. “Subscribers can be offered new, revenue-generating 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 programmes,†the vendor adds.
CloudXtream cDVR is also targeted at Pay TV operators (benefits include reduced/eliminated truck rolls compared to in-home DVR and the ability to “deliver fresh and relevant advertising to viewers.†Imagine Communications is also targeting this solution at mobile operators and OTT distributors. The company claims this is the first fully integrated platform for cloud video to support cDVR as well as linear and VOD content.
CloudXtream Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) is designed to maximize advertising revenue from both linear and non-linear advertising, including online. It is designed for use by broadcasters, cable MSOs, mobile operators, OVDs (online video distributors), telcos and satellite providers. The solution can be used with the CloudXtream cDVR solution and with other cloud DVR or time-shifted content applications, and with video streaming from any Internet-centric or on-demand source.
Manifest manipulation is made possible across all event types, including live, VOD, pre-record cDVR, hot-record cDVR, and blackouts. The solution includes decisioning and analytics tools to help maximize value for ad placements. “Standards-based and proven in live deployments, CloudXtream DAI offers a distributed architecture for independent scaling and redundancy,†Imagine Communications says.
The CloudXtream cloud video platform offers flexible pricing including XaaS models. CloudXtream is powered by Zenium, Imagine Communications’ next generation workflow manager. These new technologies can be seen at NAB 2015.
