RGB Networks Launches Highest Performing Transcoding Solution for TV Everywhere Applications

New VMG Gen 2 Strengthens RGB’s ‘Multiscreen 2.0′ Solution Delivering Highest Video Quality and Processing Density Without Compromise

SUNNYVALE, CA–(Marketwired – Apr 3, 2013) – RGB Networks, the leading provider of scalable multiscreen IP video delivery solutions, today announced its new Video Multiprocessing Gateway (VMG™) Gen 2, the second generation model of its award-winning VMG product line. Building on the unique, field-proven capabilities of the first-generation platform, the VMG Gen 2 is the heart of RGB’s ‘Multiscreen 2.0′ live streaming solution, which allows video service providers (VSPs) to expand and streamline their TV Everywhere services. The VMG Gen 2 sets new levels for stream processing density and capacity with the ability to transcode more than one thousand output video streams in a single chassis while still delivering the highest video quality.

“As many of our competitors are just field-testing their first generation solutions, we continue to outpace them with the second generation of our highly successful VMG product line, which has been proven in large scale deployments with major cable operators and telecom carriers around the world,” said Nabil Kanaan, Vice President, Product Management for RGB Networks. “We’ve more than doubled the density already offered by RGB’s chassis-based platform, enabling video service providers to cost effectively meet growing subscriber demand for more channels, on more devices, without compromising on video quality. Complementing this is the addition of stream conditioning for ad insertion services, another key feature for next-gen multiscreen deployments.”

Kanaan added: “With this significant upgrade to a key component of our ‘Multiscreen 2.0′ solution, RGB is demonstrating our commitment to providing the most advanced solution for delivering and monetizing TV Everywhere and OTT services.”

Building on the strength of RGB’s field-proven MPEG-2/H.264 compression engine, the key component of the VMG Gen 2 solution is a new TCM2+ transcoder module. This highly scalable plug-in module offers more than double the transcoding capacity of its predecessor. Along with the new, more powerful NPM2+ network controller, these modules are housed in either of RGB’s new, carrier-class chassis, available in 8RU or 14RU models for maximum deployment scalability. These entirely new modules have been built from the ground up for a new generation of performance, scalability and picture quality. Enhanced video on the transcoder is enabled by new motion-adaptive de-interlacing and improved scaling technology required in adaptive streaming applications.

The VMG Gen 2 is managed by RGB’s new multi-node workflow management system, which allows VSPs to configure and control a cluster of VMG Gen 2 chassis and TransAct Packager devices. This is particularly helpful for large deployments as it streamlines the overall workflow of managing multiple chassis processing thousands of channels.

Due to its modular and highly flexible nature, the VMG Gen 2 is a ‘future proof’ solution, easily allowing for the incorporation of new modules with new features and functionality. A key benefit of this flexibility is exemplified by the ability of the VMG Gen 2 to support emerging codecs, such as HEVC, through software and hardware upgrades. New plug-and-play modules with new capabilities benefit from the system and control-layer infrastructure already in place in the VMG Gen 2 chassis, including in-chassis module redundancy and 10GigE input and output interfaces. The HEVC-ready VMG Gen 2 platform delivers carrier-class reliability, with the scalability and future flexibility that VSPs require in a rapidly evolving video delivery environment.

The VMG Gen 2 will be demonstrated at NAB, April 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada at booth #SU5924. RGB experts will be on hand to discuss the key features and advantages of the VMG Gen 2 and how RGB’s Multiscreen 2.0 solutions can help VSPs to streamline their networks and deliver the next generation of revenue-generating services across devices.

About RGB Networks

RGB Networks enables video service providers to migrate to a multiscreen environment for the delivery of linear and on-demand video over managed and unmanaged IP networks. Wide adoption of the company’s IP video solutions is based on core strengths in transcoding, advertising and overlay insertion, and statistical multiplexing. RGB’s solutions for video delivery to TVs, desktop and mobile devices are built to deliver the highest video quality at the best price-performance on the market — they uniquely offer the density and scalability required to support the growing demands of consumers with integrated functionality that simplifies operators’ network architectures and minimizes operational costs. RGB’s products are deployed by over 400 cable, telco, satellite, OTT and mobile operators in 40+ countries. Venture capital investment firms include Accel Partners, Comcast Interactive, Focus Ventures, Granite Ventures, Institutional Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, and Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners. RGB is a private, profitable company based in Sunnyvale, California with offices around the world. For more information, please visit our website — www.rgbnetworks.com — and IP video blog — www.rgbnetworks.com/blog — and follow us on Twitter @RGB_Networks.

Verimatrix Offers Broad Showcase of Advanced Multi-Network Security Solutions at NAB 2013

Multi-Network Solutions in the Real World Forum, Speaking Engagements and Demonstrations Underscore Company’s Commitment to Developing Innovative Security Solutions for Broadcast, IPTV and OTT Services

PBS Deploys Aspera for High-Speed Distribution to Internet Video Platforms

Fast, reliable deliveries make large video files available to broadcaster’s growing online audience

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

PBS Techcon — Aspera, Inc. (http://www.asperasoft.com/), creators of next-generation software technologies that move the world’s big data at maximum speed, today announced that Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (http://www.pbs.org/), a mission-driven public service media enterprise and leading provider of television programming encompassing the arts, education, history, and culture, has deployed high-speed transfer and management solutions from Aspera for content distribution.

Reaching an audience of nearly 120 million viewers per month through television programming alone, PBS has expanded its reach to include video streaming services for desktops, tablets, smart phones and other streaming devices. In January 2013, Americans watched 229 million videos across all of PBS’ web and mobile platforms. PBS content is also consumed through a growing number of providers such as Netflix, LodgeNet, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video and Comcast Video On Demand. To distribute its content, PBS transcodes its videos into a variety of formats and delivers them via the Internet to partners around the country.

To ensure reliable, predictable and on-time delivery to its distribution partners, PBS needed a transfer solution that would overcome the challenges of using the public Internet for large-file deliveries – slow, unreliable transfers that fail to fully utilize available bandwidth and lack sufficient control to share bandwidth with other critical network traffic.

After evaluating several options, PBS selected Aspera Enterprise Server (http://asperasoft.com/software/transfer-servers/enterprise-server/) to run transfers over a 90 Mbps pipeline and Aspera Console (http://asperasoft.com/software/automation-management/aspera-console/) for real-time transfer monitoring and control.

After receiving content from producers, PBS’ Media Operations Center performs quality control checks, initiates transcode jobs in all the target formats needed for streaming, and then drops the newly created video files into hot folders where Aspera Enterprise Server automatically retrieves and delivers them at high-speed to video streaming partners. Further simplifying the process, most of the video platforms PBS works with already use Aspera for other transfers, so they simply provide PBS with the login credentials and point them to a directory where PBS can upload the video files.

“With Aspera, I don’t need to worry because it does the job we need it to do – which is predictable delivery times and excellent reliability regardless of the vagaries of the Internet,” said Steve Wynn, director of engineering and maintenance at the PBS Media Operation Center.

PBS benefits from Aspera’s patented fasp (http://asperasoft.com/technology/transport/fasp/) transfer technology which dynamically adapts its transmission rate to fully utilize available bandwidth while remaining fair to other network traffic, an important feature for the Media Operation Center as they share bandwidth with other teams in the building.

Additionally, PBS relies on Aspera Console’s intuitive, easy-to-use dashboard which is used not only by PBS’ engineering and maintenance staff, but also for casual operators, such as the editors and technicians working with video files. Using Console’s interface, PBS staff can monitor and control transfers in real time, adjusting bandwidth allocation to reflect project priorities.

“We look forward to continuing to work with PBS as they expand their distribution channels and add more complex workflows into their existing Aspera system,” said Michelle Munson, CEO and president of Aspera. “With the addition of Aspera Orchestrator, PBS will be able to take advantage of journaling, tracking, and other file management tools to support a fully-automated end-to-end production workflow.”

About Aspera

Aspera is the creator of next-generation transport technologies that move the world’s data at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance and network conditions. Based on its patented fasp™ protocol, Aspera software fully utilizes existing infrastructures to deliver the fastest, most predictable file-transfer experience. Aspera’s core technology delivers unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability. More than 2,000 organizations across a variety of industries on six continents rely on Aspera software for the business-critical transport of their digital assets.

Please visit www.asperasoft.com and follow us on Twitter @asperasoft for more information.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Chelsio To Demonstrate 40G SMB Direct RDMA Over Ethernet For Windows Server 2012; Releases Beta Driver For 40G Network Direct

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Chelsio Communications, a leading provider of High Speed Ethernet Unified Wire adapters and ASICs, today announced it will demonstrate 40G SMB Direct performance on its new Terminator 5 (T5) ASIC this week at SNW Spring conference in Orlando, FL. The demonstration will show Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012 SMB Direct running at line-rate 40G using RDMA over Ethernet (iWARP).

This will be the first demonstration of Chelsio’s T5 40G storage technology — a converged interconnect solution that simultaneously supports all of the networking, cluster and storage protocols. Chelsio offers a complete suite of drivers for Windows Server 2012, including NDIS, Network Direct for HPC applications, Network Direct Kernel for system services, iSCSI, FCoE and Hyper-V support for virtualized environments, constituting one of the most comprehensive server adapter solutions that can unleash the full value of a Microsoft Windows Server installation.

The iWARP Ethernet RDMA solution fully offloads the host CPU, resulting in a more efficient data center install in a virtualized environment. SMB-Direct over iWARP RDMA provides higher performance by giving direct access to the data that resides on a remote file server, while the CPU reduction enables a larger number of VMs per server, unlocking CAPEX and OPEX savings in power dissipation, system configuration and deployment scale throughout the life of the installation.

Additionally, Chelsio is announcing the availability of the beta version of the T5 driver for Network Direct for Windows Server 2012.

“Windows Server 2012 provides breakthrough innovations in storage technology,” said Chris Phillips, Partner Director of Program Management, Windows Server and System Center, Microsoft. “Chelsio’s demonstration of line-rate 40G performance with its T5 technology at the SNW Spring conference provides a strong foundation for Windows storage solutions on an Ethernet platform.”

SMB Direct over iWARP RDMA Demonstration
The demonstration at SNW connects Windows Server 2012 systems running as SMB 3.0 clients connecting to another server running as an SMB 3.0 file server, the data being transferred at 40Gb line rate using SMB Direct protocol over iWARP RDMA from the SMB clients to the SMB server.

RDMA over Ethernet (iWARP RDMA)
RDMA over Ethernet (iWARP) is an industry-standard low latency protocol developed by the IETF and supported by the industry’s leading 10Gb/40Gb Ethernet adapters. Since it is built on top of TCP/IP, it is routable and scalable from just a few to thousands of co-located or geographically dispersed endpoints and scales to any data center topology or speed. It further can work independently of the DCBX protocol, thereby decoupling the server and switch refresh cycles.

Chelsio Unified Wire Adapters
Ideal for all data, storage and high performance clustering applications, Chelsio Unified Wire adapters enable a unified fabric over a single wire by simultaneously running all unmodified IP sockets, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand applications over Ethernet at line rate. Designed for deployment in virtualized data centers, cloud service installations and high performance computing environments, these Chelsio adapters bring a new level of performance metrics and functional capabilities to the networking space.

About Chelsio Communications, Inc.
Chelsio is a leading technology company focused on solving high performance networking and storage challenges for virtualized enterprise data centers, cloud service installations, and cluster computing environments. Now shipping its fourth generation protocol acceleration technology, Chelsio is delivering hardware and software solutions including Unified Wire Ethernet network adapter cards, unified storage software, high performance storage gateways, unified management software, bypass cards, and other solutions focused on specialized applications. Visit the company at www.chelsio.com.

Purple Communications Unveils SmartVP, Game-Changing Communications Platform for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals

Purple Transforms Antiquated Videophone Technology; SmartVP Is First With HD Quality, Integration of Applications; Dramatic, Innovation-Driven Shift for Deaf Community

ROCKLIN, CA–(Marketwired – Apr 2, 2013) – Purple Communications, Inc. today unveiled SmartVP — a videophone that combines the latest in technology on an intuitive platform with a wide array of smart applications and features that will transform how deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals communicate.

As the first videophone to feature true HD quality and a range of other smart features, SmartVP provides users with crisp, clear and almost life-like video conversations through their televisions. By simply pressing one button on the SmartVP remote, users can make a call using video relay service (VRS), allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to connect directly with each other or communicate with hearing people in real-time via American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters.

Purple partnered with Tely Labs, to develop SmartVP. Based on the award-winning telyHD™ video calling device, SmartVP was built on the Android operating system and features an HD camera with a wide-angle lens that can send and receive video up to 720P HD from one SmartVP to another. “We are very proud to partner with Purple on the SmartVP to deliver HD video communications to the deaf and hard of hearing in a way that’s fun and easy to use,” said Sreekanth Ravi, president and CEO of Tely Labs.

With a phased approach, Purple will rollout SmartVP market-by-market using a one-on-one installation process to ensure customer service and quality. For more information on SmartVP, visit www.purple.us/SmartVP.

“The deaf community has a history of embracing new technologies that improve the quality and flexibility of their communications. Today, we’re excited to begin unveiling SmartVP as the next-generation of video communications for people who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said John Ferron, Purple’s president and chief executive officer. “We’ve been delighted with early feedback from our customers and how impressed they are with the functionality and ease of use of SmartVP when compared to other options in the market. We’re excited to begin sharing SmartVP with customers as we begin our regional rollout.”

SmartVP is the first videophone to feature applications. Through SmartVP’s sleek, transparent interface, users can access the apps at any time, even during a call. They can check out select YouTube channels, stay up-to-date on weather, order pizza through an exclusive Yellow Pages® app, or find the closest show times for captioned movies through the Captionfish app. The platform is also equipped with a full deaf movie library.

SmartVP includes two 360 degree bright flashers and is compatible with Sonic Alert® so users never miss incoming calls, even when in another room.

Katie Leclerc, actress in the ABC Family drama Switched at Birth and Purple’s new spokesperson, will work closely with the company to inform deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals about SmartVP. Leclerc, who suffers from a genetic inner ear disorder called Meniere’s disease, is ASL-fluent.

“I’m so proud to be working with Purple and see their authentic commitment to getting their products just right for customers,” said Leclerc. “SmartVP is an amazing videophone and besides all the wonderfully unique features for the deaf consumer, it’s also just very cool! I know my deaf friends will definitely want one as soon as it comes to their area!”

“Our goal at Purple is to deliver an exceptional video relay service experience for our customers on any screen they want to use; PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone or TV. SmartVP fulfills our five-screen strategy and goes well beyond simply allowing customers to make video calls from their televisions,” said Tony La Rosa, Purple’s chief technology officer. “The inclusion of relevant applications and features that make calling easier, including 911 emergency services, set SmartVP far apart from competitive options in the market today and give us a platform that is rich for further innovations.”

Other SmartVP innovations include:

• Yellow Pages: Look up local businesses and then save the phone number to the contact list or instantly call the number directly on the SmartVP.
• Single phone number: SmartVP and all Purple products use a single phone number, allowing users to be reached on the same number at home, at work or on-the-go. Other VRS providers require separate numbers for different products.
• Powerful remote control: With one touch, users can begin a phone call from anywhere in the room thanks to a powerful yet easy-to-use remote.
• Entertainment center and apps: Smartphones go beyond simply making a call by incorporating apps and entertainment. SmartVP will become integral to customers’ lives with powerful apps, such as Yellow Pages, a deaf video center, YouTube channels, local weather and the ability to search the latest playing captioned movies using Captionfish.
• Simplified contact lists: Contact lists are shared across multiple devices and the contact information can be updated online — both firsts for VRS users. Users can save up to five numbers for one contact. Rather than arduously scrolling, users can type the area code to locate a number or add friends and family they call the most to a favorite contacts list immediately shown when signed on. Plus, contacts can be pulled up while on the call.
• PurpleMail: SmartVP features PurpleMail™ — a message system that allows users to have a personal outgoing message in ASL and receive messages from callers in ASL.
• Text chat: During the call, the ASL interpreter can type out important information, such as addresses or phone numbers, from the hearing caller which can then be sent to the user’s email. Similarly, the deaf party can type out information for the interpreter to relay to the hearing caller. To ensure privacy, the text chat is subsequently erased from the interpreter’s screen.
• Multiple users: Multiple users, such as spouses, roommates or family members, can easily switch back and forth between accounts without logging out. For privacy, a personal identification number (PIN) can be set to limit access.
• Voice carry over (VCO): Built-in speakers and microphones for voice carry over (VCO) allow a deaf individual who prefers to use his/her own voice when making a call to speak directly to the caller.

About Purple Communications, Inc.
Purple Communications provides a high-quality video relay service (VRS) available from multiple platforms — TV, desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone. VRS is a free service for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers who use sign language to communicate via video conference and a video interpreter (VI). The VI voices/relays the signed conversation in real-time to both deaf and hearing individuals.

Purple’s portfolio of solutions spans across telephone captioning services, text relay services, on-site interpreting services and video relay interpreting (VRI) delivering a wide array of options to meet the varied communication needs of businesses and customers, collectively make communicating with both the deaf world and the hearing world accessible to all. For more information, visit www.purple.us.

About Katie Leclerc
Leclerc can currently be seen in the role of Daphne Vasquez on ABC Family’s Switched at Birth, which premiered in summer 2011 and will start its summer season June 10, 2013. You can read her full biography at http://www.katieleclerc.com/.

About Tely Labs
Tely Labs, a Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA)-backed venture company was founded in 2010 by the successful entrepreneurial team of Sreekanth Ravi (President and CEO) and Sudhakar Ravi (CTO). Tely Labs is a pioneer in simple, secure and affordable video communication and collaboration systems that fundamentally change the way people communicate. The company’s products are used extensively in enterprise conference rooms, remote offices, SMBs and healthcare facilities worldwide. For more information on Tely Labs, visit www.tely.com.

About Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
Created by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) is a telephone service that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. There are a variety of types of relay service including video (VRS), text and captioning services. TRS is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories for local and/or long distance calls at no additional cost to the consumer. The Telecommunications Relay Services program is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and providers of such services are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal fund. For more information related to TRS, visit www.fcc.gov/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.