2netFX, a provider of enterprise streaming solutions for rich media content delivery, and Minerva Networks, a provider of video networking solutions that enable the convergence of television and the Internet, are integrating the 2netFX ThunderCastIP Server software v3.5 with the Minerva VNP-40 real-time encoding appliance.
The result, say the two companies, is the ability to deliver MPEG-4 video and audio to desktop computers running a QuickTime or MPEG-4 compliant player. “By teaming our two companies’ respective technologies, PC and Macintosh users can now enjoy quality MPEG-4 compliant video right at their desk, at work or home,” said William Reed, 2netFX vice president of marketing, in a press announcement.
2netFX will offer a software interface for the Minerva VNP-40 as an integrated option for its new ThunderCastIP Advanced Media Server v3.5. The server supports simultaneous live or video-on-demand (VOD) MPEG-1, 2, and HDTV streams, as well as MPEG-4 (H.263 video) via the Minerva VNP-40.
The ThunderCastIP v3.5 also supports remote administration, advanced scheduling, media asset management, multiple live encoder support, network bandwidth management, and 802.1p Quality of Service (QoS) protocols. MPEG-4 is a low bit-rate streaming standard that aims to replace other proprietary Internet streaming technologies in use today.
The Minerva VNP-40 carrier-class encoder enables network operators and content providers to deliver live multicast and unicast content over broadband Internet Protocol (IP) networks. A standards-based solution, the VNP-40 complies with both RTP and RTCP networking protocol standards. The VNP-40 delivers H.263 compliant video, and is compatible with MPEG-4 compliant players.
“Streaming high-quality video at low bit-rates ranging from 100Kbps to 1Mbps gives organizations an excellent communications tool without bringing a network to its knees,” said Patrick Sweeney, vice president of marketing at Minerva Networks. “Our VNP-40 coupled with the 2netFX ThunderCast Server is an excellent solution for enabling the deployment of robust, standards-based MPEG-4 compliant video networking applications.”
2netFX was named one of the “Top 100 Companies to Watch in 2001” by Computerworld Magazine. Unfortunately, many of its products aren’t Mac savvy, including its HDTV multicast streaming solutions and the StreamRider multicast/unicast viewer/tuner.
Minerva offers carrier-class video networking and management products that enable the delivery of video services over broadband Internet Protocol (IP) networks. By combining their platforms with third-party video servers and playback devices, broadband network operators and enterprises can offer a variety of video services (such as live television, video-on-demand, video-conferencing) over their IP network infrastructure. Minerva also offers a suite of professional services to facilitate the deployment of end-to-end video networking solutions.