Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 19, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.Digital Rapids is showing the new Digital Rapids Studio AVC Encoder at NAB. It is an optional module for “Stream” and the Stream Transcode Manager that can generate MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video streams.
The module works with the ATEME H.264 codec and delivers the best encoding results for Baseline, Main and High Profiles. Closed-caption data can be embedded in the stream. The EIA-608, EIA-708, SCC and SAMI standards are supported. The encoded elementary stream can be multiplexed with external audio streams (for example AAC and MPEG Layer 2) into an MPEG-2 transport stream.
A main application for MPEG-4 AVC streams is video on demand. For this purpose, the encoder supports “Trick Play” modes that give the customer the option of jumping forwards and backwards freely in the stream when it is played back on a set-top box.
Alongside this new product, Digital Rapids also presented the latest version of Transcode Manager: version 1.1 offers server-level failover, so that if the computer with Transcode Manager fails, another computer immediately takes over its tasks without the transcodes being stopped. Version 1.1 also allows clips to be modified, for example to cut certain sections or place new parts before the clip or append them to the end of the clip. Digital Rapids expanded database support to include Oracle 10g, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and PostgreSQL.
Also new is the stripped-down Transcode Manager LE version. It can control only ten transcode engines, making it a cheaper alternative for smaller companies. However, Digital Rapids did not yet provide prices.
An update is available for the StreamPro and StreamEnterprise software. Version 2.4 supports the simultaneous output of a stream for several multiplexed formats. An “Inverse Telecine” plug-in makes it possible to remove 3:2 pulldown from material and continues to work even if the 3:2 pulldown sequence should be interrupted or shifted once. This update is available free of charge to existing customers on the website of the Digital Rapids website.
Further Links:
- Digital Rapids
