'Net Features : video encoding

Video Encoding Solution for Roku Developers

Linc Wonham — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

One of the Web's largest video encoding services has announced that it is making it significantly easier for developers to create video channels for the leading streaming platform Roku.

Because Roku is an open platform, anyone can create a content channel for the Roku Channel Store. Using the Roku SDK, developers can create anything from a basic free VOD channel to a full-subscription movie service. Now, the process for creating a video channel is even easier with five pre-tested presets provided by Encoding.com to output Roku-compatible video: an HTTP live streaming (adaptive bitrate), and four MP4 outputs in HD and SD formats at: 800, 1200, 1800 or 2700 kbps.

All five Roku presets adhere to Roku’s specific encoding guidelines. Preparing videos for Roku is streamlined by using one of the five Roku presets on Encoding.com. Developers simply choose a preset and set a destination location for output files. Output files can be sent to any location.

“Encoding.com’s pre-tested presets provide Roku developers with unmatched speed and scalability,” says Jim Funk, vice president of business development at Roku. “And, with Encoding.com’s cloud-based video transcoding service, it’s now easier than ever to create a video channel for the Roku Channel Store.”

Roku now features more than 300 entertainment channels including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Pandora and Angry Birds. Recently launched channels include Disney.com, AOL HD and FoxNews.com.

Free Video Encoding for Developers

Linc Wonham — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:00:00 GMT

As part of the launch of its new website, video encoding service Encoding.com is also significantly expanding its Developer Program.

Developers in the video encoding sector now have access to a free, unlimited monthly encoding plan that includes 1GB of video processing, greatly improved API documentation and a refreshed and revamped Knowledge Base, including solutions to the most common errors and tips to generate the highest quality output. Encoding.com’s new plan provides 1GB of encoding bandwidth each month. The free plan gives developers an ongoing, no-cost test environment to build video applications using the Encoding.com API.

Encoding.com’s refreshed website not only includes better organized API documentation, but also provides the XML code for the most common workflow tasks so developers can seamlessly integrate cloud-based transcoding services directly into their applications. In addition to the much-improved Knowledge Base, which now includes best practices from Encoding.com’s experts, Encoding.com now employs dedicated technical support resources specific to helping developers create the most efficient code.

Developers can visit the new site, learn more about the program or go right to the sign-up page.

Big Upgrades for Sorenson Online Video Platform

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:15:00 GMT

Video is not the next big thing, it's the new big thing.

Sorenson Media's online video platform has a few new features worth mentioning including full video player compatability, WebM support, Facebook integration, automated video sitemaps, closed captioning support and a direct integration with Sorenson's Squeeze server.

“With more video formats and players than ever before, customers demand choice and control. We designed this new feature to give them both, without sacrificing the ease of use for what is already the most intuitive and highest-quality OVP on the market,” said Eric Quanstrom, COO of Sorenson Media. “With these enhancements, users benefit not only with from full integration with social media tools and the industry-best Squeeze encoding engine, but also from Sorenson 360’s unique mix of comprehensive advantages.”

Users can now choose from all major video players (Flash, Quicktime, HTML5 and Silverlight) and publish video in the most popular formats, including Flash (Spark and VP6), MPEG-4 (H.264), WebM and Windows Media (VC1). Sorenson 360 supports WebM encoding and playback for users interested in creating Web environments using HTML5. The ability to automate the creation of Video Sitemaps for the purpose of SEO is another of the more marketer friendly features of the platform and something that will be most appealing to agencies.

Social and video of course go hand in hand and Sorenson has got something for that community in Facebook Integration. The video player now includes an Facebook sharing button on the video player giving users the ability to post their video along with comments directly to their Facebook accounts