FlipFactory Pro (Infrastructure Software Product)
Telestream's FlipFactory Pro is a powerful transcoder that delivers file format independence to the broadcast facility by automatically transcoding and delivering media directly to and from the leading broadcast servers. Broadcast servers supported include Grass Valley Group Profile, Pinnacle MediaStream, Sony MAV-70, Leitch VR420 and SeaChange Broadcast MediaCluster. "We are pleased to be working closely with these leading broadcast server manufacturers to develop a platform that not only provides file compatibility, but ensures the most advanced functionality is preserved for each of their particular servers during the exchange process," commented David Heppe, vice president of marketing and business development for Telestream. "Our platform is the first to provide file interchange between what have, up until now, been incompatible formats, thus enabling interoperability between these devices and the rest of the world." Direct, digital transfer in FlipFactory allows broadcasters to repurpose content for the web directly from their servers, without the need to go back to baseband video. Not only does this save a step when streaming media to the web, but the all-digital transfer process ensures the highest possible video quality is maintained.
Acting as a universal format translator, FlipFactory Pro accepts virtually any digital file format from virtually any device. It then simultaneously flips the media into all the popular streaming formats (RealVideo(TM), Windows Media, QuickTime(TM), MP3, WAV) plus MPEG1, MPEG2 and DV, at multiple bit rates each, and then automatically delivers the resulting files to destination servers.
FlipFactory Pro leverages Telestream's XML-based Media Distribution Protocol to seamlessly communicate transport capabilities and move content between archives, other devices and the broadcast server. With custom Interface Brokers specifically designed for each manufacturer's content file system, FlipFactory negotiates a direct path for all-digital data transfer between devices. "We are delighted that Telestream's FlipFactory Pro supports the SMPTE 360M file interchange format and the ContentShare(TM) software platform for information access and exchange to improve interoperability through it's ability to search for and exchange metadata between applications," said Ray Baldock, director of marketing of the Grass Valley Group. "Our development of the Profile GXF file interchange format, the ensuing decision to make it freely available to the rest of the industry, and SMPTE's vote to make it a standard means that, for the first time, there is a standard for defining a media exchange format for disk-based products such as servers and non-linear editors."
FlipFactory Pro, which lists at US$16,500, is the latest in a series of versatile streaming media automation software products to emerge from Telestream over the past few months. FlipFactory Publish, Telestream's initial product, is the foundation from which the newer FlipFactory products are derived. FlipFactory Publish packages the most widely-used FlipFactory streaming automation features in a lower-priced product which lists at only US$10,000. The suite of Telestream FlipFactory products replaces the manual process of streaming media production with desktop PCs by simultaneously transcoding media into multiple streaming formats and bit rates, and then automatically delivering files to destination servers. FlipFactory is an enterprise-class software application that runs on standard Windows(TM) servers, letting users select their own hardware. It's scalable across one or more load-balanced servers, seamlessly integrates with leading asset management and indexing systems, and supports simultaneous, secure access by multiple remote users via standard web browsers.
Telestream's products are well known to broadcasters worldwide. ClipMail(TM) Pro, the company's store-and-forward Internet appliance, has become the industry standard for peer-to-peer exchange of broadcast quality video via the Internet. Telestream appliances are currently used by broadcasters such as CNN, Time Warner Cable, FOX, NBC, PAX-TV, and BBC to encode media to MPEG files for delivery of news clips, promos and commercial ad spots around the world using the Internet. ClipMail Pro can also be used as a contribution station to easily acquire content from tape for efficient network delivery to FlipFactory. Telestream's FlipFactory Pro will make its debut at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas April 23. Support for Grass Valley Group MPEG servers will be available in May. Support for other manufacturers' servers will be released in May and June.
About Telestream
Telestream and its award winning streaming media infrastructure products simplify the encoding and delivery of broadcast-quality video and streaming media via the Internet. FlipFactory(TM), the company's newest software solution, enables content owners to easily encode media in any format/bit rate, faster than real time, with automated publishing to streaming servers. Telestream's appliances and automation software eliminate today's time-consuming, manual process of media acquisition, encoding and delivery to servers. Simple, fast and reliable are reasons why CNN, NBC, Bloomberg, Time Warner and other high-profile media companies rely on Telestream technology. Located in the "video valley" region of Nevada City, Telestream is managed and staffed by a team of seasoned video experts, is privately held and is funded by Intel, Shaw Venture Partners, Hallador Venture Partners and angel investors.
Telestream, Inc., 848 Gold Flat Road, Nevada City, CA 95959. Tel: 530-470-1300; Fax: 530-470-1301.