Net Video: Xing StreamWorks
This column is the second of several installments that will deal with video on the net. This week I will focus on Xing StreamWorks.
A popular product for sending video over the Internet is StreamWorks from Xing Technology, of Arroyo Grande, CA.
CU-SeeMe, the product discussed last week, is primarily a tool for live videoconferencing. It also makes possible the broadcasting of recorded programming, but only on a fixed schedule for all viewers. CU-SeeMe's weakness is that it does not allow users to view recorded programming when they want to see it - i.e. "on demand."
StreamWorks encoder and server software permits both live broadcasting and "on demand" viewing by letting users access "streams" of encoded video packets from a live feed or an encoded file. A fixed number of users can connect to a StreamWorks server at a given time and view the video as though they were watching it on a VCR.
StreamWorks could initially only be used effectively for video streaming on connections of 112 kilobits/sec or better. At that bandwidth it can deliver 1/4 screen 30 frames/second video + audio. At connections of 384+ kbps it can deliver full screen 30 fps video + audio.
In October of 1995 Xing announced Internet broadcasting software that makes real-time video and audio available to the roughly 90 percent of all PC users accessing the Internet through 14.4 and 28.8 modems. This version of the StreamWorks software allows PC users to view one to two frames per second of video while listening to audio similar to FM radio quality across 28.8 modems. At 14.4 modem data rates, users can view "high-quality" video at a frame every one to two seconds along with audio quality similar to that of an AM radio.
StreamWorks works in both the multicast and unicast modes. To alleviate strain on the Internet, they establish "reflectors" that redistribute video in a way similar to multicasting. Using reflectors they can create a kind of ad hoc MBONE that doesn't rely upon "mrouters" and is accessible to everyone in the net, not just those with MBONE access.
Howard Gordon, Xing president, thinks that there will be an abundance of video on the Internet, but that this need not swamp the backbone. He expects that service providers will create special subnetworks off the main Internet backbone for their users and choose which programming to make available - similar to what cable companies do.
Some uses of StreamWorks
Xing is now offering video on the Internet via it's own web site where users can download the free client or "player" software and watch NBC Pro, a professional TV service created by CNBC and previously only available via private data networks.Several other television stations in the United States, Finland, Switzerland and Japan are also using of this software. Retransmitting existing television channels on the net, however, is only the most obvious application, according to Howard Gordon, Xing president and CEO.
"StreamWorks capabilities will blow the lid off the entertainment industry," he said. "A much greater percentage of the public will now have access to otherwise exclusive up-to-the-minute news programming, underground broadcasts, educational programming and more. The possibilities given this wide audience are truly endless."
On April 22, 1996 Harvard Law School hosted an interactive online seminar live on the Internet using StreamWorks. A select audience heard and saw Assistant Secretary of Commerce Bruce Lehman live over the Internet as he presented his controversial white paper entitled, "Intellectual Property and the National Information Infrastructure."
"Distance learning is the future of education, and with StreamWorks, students can view live video over the Internet on a standard multimedia PC, without the large expense of older, traditional distance learning hardware," said Xing's Gordon who added, "We are enthusiastic about developing unique and interactive applications of StreamWorks for Harvard Law School and other educational institutions."
On April 2, 1996 the Golf Channel (TGC) swung into cyberspace. The world's only television network devoted entirely to golf programming will provide on-line golf fans, at no charge, with weekly instructionals, tournament coverage and a fully interactive on-air TGC program schedule using StreamWorks.
Dec. 14, 1995's NBC/Microsoft news conference was available live on the NBC Web site by simultaneously linking the Xing Web site with the NBC Web site.
On November 7, 1995, high-speed data networks become the basis of digital media services in Finland. A nationwide digital media pilot network was released by Telecom Finland using StreamWorks. The pilot network includes full scale multimedia services such as interactive TV and radio. Finland is the first country in Europe to have this kind of large trial in operation. The estimated number of pilot users is in the several thousands.
"There are many alternatives for delivering audio and video over the Internet.", said Mika Uusitalo. "We do this in cooperation with Xing because their product is based on an industry standard and supports delivery of high quality audio and video in a multivendor environment."
Streamwork's position in the market
Jeff Pulver of Voice on the Net says
I believe that StreamWorks is the leading streaming (realtime) video product on the Internet today, and the possiblity exisits that it could become the leading video product on the corporate IntraNet as well.He watches programming via the net using StreamWorks regularly, "Each night (or day) I spend a few minutes catching up with news by watching Bloomberg Television and NBC Pro."Xing Technologies has focused on the broadcast industry and it has paid off. The majority of the StreamWorks content providers are companies which are from the broadcast industry.
There are many new products being introduced which provide realtime video on the marketplace. The difference with Xing is that while most of the other companies have been hyping their vaporware, Xing has been delivering a working product.
What will it cost you to start your own Internet TV Channel?
StreamWorks Network Stream Generators come in several varieties including: audio only, a version that allows the serving of stored video files and a version that allows the serving of both live video and stored files.The video+audio stream generator converts NTSC/PAL video+audio input to packetized IP-multicast bitstreams via MPEG-1 compression. The MPEG-1 Video+Audio system is $ 6,500. (An MPEG-2 system will be available soon.)
StreamWorks Network Servers also come in a variety of versions. The price of the T1 Web Server (for SGI, Sun, HP, Linux) is $ 3,500.
Anyway, if you've got a workstation and a T1 connection, you can get into the Internet TV biz for about ten grand. Not a lot of money when you compare it to the cost of satellite or cable distribution and, after all, you're global.
