Helix Server is a software solution for delivery of audio and video streaming content to PCs or mobile devices.*
Helix Server supports more platforms than any other major streaming server including Linux RHEL 4.0, Windows 2003 and native support for Solaris 10. And Helix Server is the only digital media server with universal support for live and on-demand delivery of multiple formats including Real Media, Windows Media, QuickTime, MP3, H.264, AAC and more.
With three capacity versions available (25 stream, 100 stream and Unlimited), Helix Server is the right solution for corporations, government organizations and educational institutions wanting to provide live and on-demand media content to their audiences.
Helix Proxy is a software solution for reducing bandwidth costs associated with media content entering your network by eliminating redundant requests for streaming media.
By caching and splitting content closer to the end-user, Helix Proxy reduces transmission problems that degrade the quality of the playback experience. Helix Proxy also masks the IP address of your internal users and authenticates every client request at the origin, thereby controlling content and increasing content security.
*Please Note: Mobile broadcasting requires Helix Mobile Extension, which is available at no charge to Enterprise, Education and Government customers only. Helix Mobile Server is the carrier-grade mobile audio and video streaming solution.
Helix Server is the only multi-format, cross platform streaming server for delivering the highest quality experience to PCs and mobile devices.*
Helix Server: Features
The following features are available in all Helix Servers:
-
Reduced Latency (PlayNow, TrueLive)
-
Helix Rate Adaptation
-
Fast Channel Switching
-
SNMP v3
-
Delivering multiple formats from a single server
-
Multiple operating systems
-
Unicast broadcasting to internal and external audiences
-
Broadcasting with SureStream
-
Archiving broadcasts
-
Authentication Monitoring Custom Logging
Features Unique to Helix Server Unlimited
In addition to the features available in all Helix Servers, the following additional features are only available in the Helix Server Unlimited option:
-
Delivering 3GPP (H.263 and H.264) content*
-
Multicast broadcasting to internal audiences
-
Multi-format Server-to-Server Unicast Splitting
-
Server-to-Server Multicast Splitting
-
SureStream (Bandwidth) Aware Splitting
-
Content Caching
-
Encoder-to-Server Redundancy
-
Server-to-Server Redundancy
-
Alternate Servers/RealPlayer Reconnect
* Note: Mobile streaming is offered as an extension of the Helix Server Unlimited to Enterprise customers only (including Government and Education customers). Not available in all markets. Restrictions apply. Contact Sales for details.
Specifications
| Operating System |
Processor |
Memory |
Hard Disk |
| Linux — RHEL 4.0 and 5.0 (Kernel 2.6)* |
Intel P4 2.4 GHz |
- 512 MB per processor
- 1-4 GB per processor (recommended) |
100 MB (install) + Log + Media space |
| Windows 2003 |
Intel P4 2.4 GHz |
- 512 MB per processor
- 1-4 GB per processor (recommended) |
100 MB (install) + Log + Media space |
| Solaris 10 |
Ultra Sparc III 1.5 GHz |
- 512 MB per processor
- 1-4 GB per processor (recommended) |
100 MB (install) + Log + Media space |
*Note: Clones of RHEL 5.0 are not officially supported.
Helix Server is the only multi-format, cross platform streaming server for delivering the highest quality experience to PCs and mobile devices.*
Helix Server Comparison
|
Helix Server 25 |
Helix Server 100 |
Helix Server Unlimited |
|
Stream Capacity
|
25 |
100 |
Unlimited |
|
Fast Channel Switching
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Delivering Multiple Formats from a Single Server
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Delivering 3GPP (H.263 and H.264) Content
|
No |
No |
Yes* |
|
Multiple Operating Systems
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Live Broadcasting
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Unicast Broadcasting
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
PlayNow
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
TrueLive
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Helix Rate Adaptation
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
SNMP v3
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Broadcasting with SureStream
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Archiving Broadcasts
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Authentication
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Monitoring
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Custom Logging
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Multicast Broadcasting to Internal Audiences
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Multi-Format Server-to-Server Unicast Splitting
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Server-to-Server Multicast Splitting
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
SureStream (Bandwidth) Aware Splitting
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Content Caching
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Encoder-to-Server Redundancy
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Server-to-Server Redundancy
|
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Alternate Servers/RealPlayer Reconnect
|
No |
No |
Yes |
* Note: Mobile streaming is offered as an extension of the Helix Server Unlimited to Enterprise customers only (including Government and Education customers). Not available in all markets. Restrictions apply. Contact Sales for details.
iPhone HTTP Streaming
Stream video to the growing iPhone audience. Supports HTTP streaming and HTTP streaming with adaptive bit rate to the iPhone and iPod touch.
Flash Progressive Download
Deliver Flash Video (.flv) and Flash animation (.swf) from Helix Server using HTTP progressive download.
Live Rate Adaptation (LRA)
Improves overall end-user QoS by automatically delivering the highest bit-rate stream supported by the network at any given time. Seamlessly manages network fluctuations, such as signal strength, bearer handover and network congestion.
Fast Channel Switching
Allows quick changes to the media input for a continuous stream, eliminating the need to set up a separate session for each stream. This brings a more "TV-like" viewing experience to users as they "change channels" between different pieces of video content.
Server-Side Play List (SSPL) Management
Increase end-user engagement with mobile video content by combining live and on-demand video assets in compelling and interactive ways in a single session. Playlists are dynamically updateable and may be created by content providers, mobile operators or customized by subscribers.
Multi-core and 64-Bit Scalability
Helix Server has been optimized for multi-core, 64-bit architectures and has been tested for maximum efficiency on multi-core servers, providing superior stability and performance.
Native Solaris 10 Support
Now with native support for the Solaris 10 Operating System, Helix Server takes full advantage of the improved performance and great cost-efficiency of this industry-leading UNIX platform.