Oracle Corp has released Version 3.0 of its Video Server product, boasting numerous enhancements and new features to the software that was first introduced in 1993 for interactive television video-on-demand. Video Server 3.0 is designed to, along with Oracle8 database server, offer the central components for interactive applications including video, news and music-on- demand, home shopping and interactive education. The product is aimed at telephone companies, cable TV operators, satellite operators and video content providers. New features in Version 3.0 include VCR-in-a-Network, which offers viewers VCR-like controls over live and stored programs, including play, pause fast-forward and rewind. Network service providers can record programming continuously, thereby eliminating the need for in- home hardware. Also new is Broadcast Support, which facilitates scheduling and automation of broadcasts and includes support for the new Digital Video Broadcast format. The Personlaized Video function allows for the creation of compilations of multiple pieces of programming. Lastly, the Video Server Manager offers video managers a Java-based GUI for point-and-click server configuration and system montioring. Aside from new elements, Oracle says the majority of existing functions of Video Server 2.0 have been enhanced or severely enhanced. Video Server 3.0 will carry a price tag of $295 per concurrent stream. Oracle says it has various customers lined up already and will be making annoucements shortly. The company feels that it will be well poised to take advantage of the general market for interactive television as broadcasters and cable and satellite providers roll out services.
