deuromedia now offers free access to fast and smooth moving images via the Internet: Anyone can download “the viewer plug-in” for free at http://www.deuromedia.tv. Large files such as cinema trailers, product presentations or commercials no longer require unacceptably long download times and can now be accessed in television quality. The plug-in is one of deuromedia’s software tools that cover the entire transmission chain from sender to receiver. With “the viewer plug-in”, deuromedia now enables Internet surfers to use streaming services, broadband transmissions and the fusion of electronic media free of charge.
Gone are the days of jerky films in postage stamp format
In order to avoid long download times and keep the data volume on the Internet low, moving images can only be offered on the World Wide Web in inferior quality at present and probably for the next two to four years. However, the Internet is now receiving new support. A standard browser and a DVB card are the only requirements for receiving multimedia, TV and radio content in digital broadband quality on a PC. As the deuromedia platform is IP-based (Internet standard), it is very easy to integrate the system into normal web programming. Automatically generated links make it easy to integrate broadband transmissions into websites. The user simply activates the digital content on the Internet: In real time and in excellent quality, “the viewer plug-in” retrieves the content via a broadband channel – whether file transfer, audio, video or multimedia stream. The IP-based software is just as flexible when it comes to selecting the broadband medium (satellite, cable or terrestrial transmission).
“the viewer plug-in” brings exciting formats to life
At the IFA 2001 in Berlin, deuromedia shows what the broadband future could look like.
For example Video on Demand: With the help of Digital Rights Management (DRM), deuromedia’s IP Multicast software becomes a fast and secure medium for the video library in the living room. After entering their name and a password, users can watch the film of their choice. The billing method, whether by credit card or monthly subscription, is up to the service provider. Once the film has finished, the data is stored in encrypted form and can be reactivated.
In addition to this application example, deuromedia also presents the use of computer games, the display of free TV and radio as well as its own Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) with up-to-date background information on the TV programme on a set-top box.
In cooperation with the Discovery Channel documentary programme, deuromedia will be demonstrating how quickly and easily trailers can be called up in TV quality as IP transmissions on the Internet. The broadband portal that the software manufacturers from Saarland are presenting at IFA is also quick and easy to use (www.deuromedia.tv): Using this example, deuromedia demonstrates how easy it is for TV stations with digital programmes to link their live broadcasts with their web content and then make this programme available via the Internet.
The fact that broadband technology also paves the way for new interactive concepts is demonstrated by the Saarland-based company with a joint development with the renowned advertising film producer Petersen-Naumann AG. Parallel streaming and time synchronisation make it possible, for example, to switch between simultaneous actions or different camera angles and call up additional information at the same time.
The model for the future: “the viewer plug-in”
Christoph Mühleib, VP Product Management & Business Development, explains the company’s product strategy: “Similar to Real with its Real Player or Adobe with Acrobat Reader, we are also making our reception software “the viewer” and now also “the viewer plug-in” available to users free of charge. In this way, we are achieving rapid acceptance of broadband technology in the market.”
Dieter Weber, Managing Director of deuromedia GmbH, emphasises the opportunities that the broadband market offers everyone involved: “With the applications presented at IFA, we are giving content providers and network operators ideas on how they can use our technology to shape the new media world. The wealth of applications presented by deuromedia demonstrates the enormous potential of the broadband market. The wide range of applications for our standard software enables us to develop customised solutions for our customers.”
