The two new products include Flash Media Streaming (FMS) Server 3 for live and on-demand video streaming and Interactive Server 3 for customized scalable video streaming services and multi-way social media applications.
The streaming server edition is used for streaming news, concerts, sporting events and other content. The company said that the interactive server builds on the capabilities of streaming server and delivers a system that can handle a higher number of streams. The interactive server also has a plug-in architecture that can integrate with rights management systems for real-time access control.
The new platform supports the video compression standard H.264 for higher quality video. FMS 3 also supports the AAC audio format used in Apple’s iTunes software.
Adobe claims that the products are capable of nearly double the amount of streams than the previous FMS 2 platform. The company also said that the media player is Adobe’s first application built on its AIR software, a cross-operating system application that enables rich internet applications for the desktop. The runtime will be capable of showing TV programming from the web, both online and offline
By offering the FMS 3 product line coupled with new pricing options, Adobe is reducing the barrier to entry for content owners who want to deliver streaming video or real-time communications online. Whether they opt for interactive social media services or linear streaming, our customers can feel confident that their media is more secure and that the end-user experience is the highest quality, said John Loiacono, senior vice president of creative solutions at Adobe.
The company has reduced the pricing of the FMS 3, which will be available at $995 for single-server deployments, while the Interactive Server 3 will be offered at $4,500 in January 2008.
Adobe’s product competes with Microsoft’s Expression platform, which includes streaming video and audio software Encoder that offers management tools for digital assets.
According to InformationWeek website, the Expression package is less expensive than Adobe’s platform and this prompted the company to reduce the prices of FMS 3.
Source: ComputerWire daily updates
