Envivio and So-net Provide MPEG-4 Technology for Inaugural Live IP Broadband Performing Arts Event Using 360 Degree Sony Camera
First to Bring Live Experience of Theater to Broadband Customers; Envivio Showcasing Production and Scalable IPTV Solutions at SUPERCOMM 2003
Atlanta, GA – June 3, 2003 – Envivio, Inc., a leading provider of MPEG-4 broadcast and streaming solutions, and So-net, Internet service of Sony Communication Network Corporation, have successfully completed a daily live IP broadcast of Rooftop, the first performing arts project delivered as a daily live series over the Internet. The project, which was produced at the Sony Building, Ginza district of Tokyo, used five video cameras, including the Sony FourthView 360 degree camera, to bring the theatrical stage to Rooftop viewers.
Envivio is showcasing the IP broadband production and its respective MPEG-4 technology, as well as its scalable IPTV solutions targeted for telcos, utilities, MSOs, and ISPs, in Envivio Booth 12408 at SUPERCOMM 2003, Atlanta, GA, which runs from June 3 – June 5.
Envivio reseller Inno Micro, who was responsible for integrating all of the Rooftop components, had three requirements when it started to spec the broadband production: CPU power, network efficiency, and multi-angle camera views. Envivio met all three requirements with its MPEG-4 IP broadband solution, which consisted of five Envivio Live Broadcasters, five XEON-based 2.8 GHz Envivio Encoding Stations running simultaneously, an Envivio Streaming Server, and the Envivio Broadcast Studio MPEG-4 authoring tool.
Five cameras were set up on the Rooftop stage, including one fixed camera, two handheld roaming cameras, one ‘Director’s Cut’ camera over the stage, and the Sony FourthView 360 degree camera in the middle of the stage. The Envivio Broadcast Studio enabled Inno Micro to author the front end of the live production so that Rooftop viewers could choose and switch ‘on-the-fly’ different camera angles during the broadcasts.
The Envivio Live Broadcasters distributed the live performances from the Sony Building to the Envivio Streaming Server at a data center from which the Internet audience accessed the live streams. Viewers watched the live productions using QuickTime, Real Networks, and Windows Media players that contained the EnvivioTV™ player plugin.
“We wanted to distribute live performing arts productions over IP broadband for a long time, but couldn’t find a way to create content in a suitable format,” said Izumi Takiuchi, producer of Rooftop. “With the Sony FourthView camera and Envivio MPEG-4 technology, we were finally able to bring a 360 degree stage experience to broadband viewers, who felt as if they were on the stage.”
“By working with Envivio, we were able to author, integrate, and distribute the entire event without any problems,” said Takahiro Tomita, general manager, Inno Micro Corp. “Even the synchronization among the five live camera feeds was perfect.”
“We were excited to provide the technology for the live performing arts event, particularly since this was the first time that such an experience was delivered to So-net IP broadband customers,” said Julien Signes, president and chief technology officer, Envivio. “This is another example of the power of MPEG-4 technology and Envivio MPEG-4 broadcast and streaming solutions.”
For more information about Rooftop and the technology behind it, please view
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/bbtheater/rooftop/technology.html.
About Envivio
Envivio is a leading provider of complete MPEG-4 solutions, which consist of a rich set of integrated streaming media tools and systems including high-performance audio and video, two-dimensional graphics, and animation. The company has established itself as the most experienced creator of high-quality MPEG-4 solutions that enable broadcasters, network operators, and content developers to build new revenue streams and use the efficiencies of delivering content to the full range of MPEG-4 capable devices. The Envivio solution includes various components to create, encode, protect, distribute, and view MPEG-4 content.
About So-net
Sony Communications Network Corporation (SCN), which operates the So-net service, forms the Internet Service Provider (ISP) arm of the Sony Group. It has been providing internet connection service ever since it commenced operations in January 1996.
In order to achieve enjoyable Broadband Internet, the company continues to challenge, creating new services in the rapidly changing business arena. For more information about So-net, please visit its website at http://www.so-net.ne.jp/ (Japanese only).
About Inno Micro
Under the banner of "Best Products and Best Solutions," Inno Micro Corporation supplies world-class electronics products, ranging from integrated circuits to peripheral devices and system products. Inno Micro relies on cutting-edge technologies to offer total solutions to users of PCs and workstations, and to every corner of its information and communications society. For more information about Inno Micro, please visit its website http://www.inno.co.jp/en/index.htm.
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Media Contact:
Envivio
Barry Strauss
(650) 243-2718
bstrauss@envivio.com
Inno Micro Corp.
Takahiro Tomita
045-476-7508
tomita@inno.co.jp
