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RealNetworks is pleased to announce the availability of the next-generation video delivery software: Helix Server v12. Feature improvements have been made to both Helix Server for broadband video delivery and Helix Mobile Server for delivery to mobile devices.
RealNetworks continues to lead the industry in adoption of video delivery to mobile devices and PCs with the following new features and performance enhancements.
FAST CHANNEL SWITCHING
Fast Channel Switching in both Helix Server and Helix Mobile Server allows quick changes to the media input for a continuous stream, eliminating the need to set up a separate RTSP session for each stream. This brings a more "TV like" viewing experience to users as they "change channels" between different pieces of video content.
Fast Channel Switching works with on-demand clips, live streams, and simulated-live streams broadcast by SLTA. It is also compatible with security features such as username and password authentication.
This switching capability eliminates the need to set up and tear down a user's RTSP session when the user selects a new stream. As a result, a user can "change channels" without experiencing disruption in playback when a new channel begins.
To the user, the succession of streams appears to be a broadcast of user-selected content that ends when a channel finishes streaming and no subsequent channel has been queued.
How It Works
With Fast Channel Switching, a user does not request content directly through Helix Server in an RTSP session. Rather, the user interacts with a third-party Web portal that supplies the user's browser with links to the available channels.
Content owners can use Fast Channel Switching to customize the user media experience by creating clickable "channels" or pieces of content in an online guide. Once the user selects a channel, the Web portal sends the choice information to Helix Server as a specially-formatted HTTP URL directed toward a secure port. Helix Server then delivers the media player instructions in an SDP file that enable it to connect to Helix Server and receive the channel. A new RTSP session is not required when the user request to "change the channel" thus creating a more seamless user experience.
ENHANCED RATE CONTROL
The new Helix Server v12 also includes rate adaptation improvements for on-demand content *, which improve overall end-user QoS, particularly with fluctuating networks.
This Enhanced Rate Control feature automatically delivers the highest bit-rate stream that can be supported by the network at any given time. It seamlessly manages signal strength and bearer handover for maximum end-user QoS and QoE.
How It Works
Using Enhanced Rate Control, Helix Server can adjust the bit rate of a clip streamed to a media player based on the player's buffer status. This allows Helix Server to compensate for fluctuating bandwidth that may occur due to network congestion and helps to minimize rebuffering by adjusting the streaming rate for the network's current conditions.
When Helix Server streams a multi-rate clip, it uses one of two types of server-side rate control, or the client-side SureStream rate control:
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Server-side 3GPP rate adaptation is a standards-based method of server-side rate control available to some 3GPP Release 5 and Release 6 clients. It uses the standards-based RTP packet format. |
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Server-side Helix rate adaptation is available for some RealNetworks media players, as well as players based on Helix DNA. |
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Client-side SureStream rate adaptation is the method of rate adaptation used by desktop RealPlayers that predate RealPlayer 11. It requires the use of a multi-rate SureStream clip (RealAudio or RealVideo) and the RDT packet format. Helix Server switches to this type of rate control automatically for media players that support SureStream but not server-side rate control. |
* Note: The rate control feature does not function with live broadcasts.
MULTI-CORE AND 64-BIT SCALABILITY
For ultimate scalability Helix Server v12 now takes advantage of the latest 64-bit server architecture across Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems. In this way, Helix continues to provide the most platform choices of any digital media server available.
Helix Server v12 and Helix Mobile Server v12 have been optimized for multi-core, 64-bit architectures for ultimate scalability, and have been tested for maximum efficiency on multi-core servers, thus providing superior stability and performance.
And with licensing terms that are 4-core processor-based (rather than capacity-based), Helix Server Unlimited further maximizes the cost-efficiency of multi-core architectures.
NATIVE SOLARIS 10 SUPPORT
Now with native support for the Solaris 10 Operating System, Helix Server v12 takes full advantage of the improved performance and great cost-efficiency of this industry-leading UNIX platform.
Solaris 10 integrates new technologies to deliver high levels of performance, availability and security. Helix Server v12 has been developed natively to run with the highest levels of performance on Solaris 10.
Helix Server v12 running on Solaris 10 is a good choice for customers seeking cross-platform support, simplified administration and high levels of service.
AS ALWAYS — THE QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND WORLD-CLASS SUPPORT YOU EXPECT FROM HELIX
Helix Server continues to be the most powerful server software available for streaming media files across any network. Designed for powerful and flexible media delivery, Helix Server v12 streams the widest variety of media to the broadest range of media players on PCs and mobile devices.
With industry-leading performance, integrated content distribution, user authentication, Web services support, and native delivery of RealMedia, Windows Media, QuickTime, and MPEG-4, Helix from RealNetworks is the robust digital media foundation that meets the needs of enterprises and mobile service providers.
Helix Mobile Server continues to provide the most complete, end-to-end solution for mobile video delivery, with interoperability to 3GPP compliant mobile devices. Helix DNA Client technology has shipped on over 265 million handsets worldwide (as of Q4 2007), providing a superior end-to-end solution.
Visit the Real Support Center for more information about Helix products and our Support programs.
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