How PROVYS Won The West – Again!

Following on from its recent successes, the Provys wagon train once again rolled into NAB Nevada with yet another blockbusting innovation which scooped first prize in the Service category of the IABM Game Changer Awards.

And what was this Provys blockbuster? No less than Stream-Circle, the ingenious yet simple innovation designed to blend the best from linear broadcasting, streaming and social media.

The panel of judges comprised 30 industry experts, chaired by John Ive, world renowned electronic media professional, and they identified processes, systems, products, services or developments that demonstrate superb innovation and offer real benefits for end users. The judging was meticulous and independent, and Provys are therefore extremely delighted to have been chosen as winners in their category.

Stream-Circle is a cloud service for companies or organisations to broadcast video content online in a scheduled manner. This perfect and inexpensive solution allows TV operators to increase the number of channels, corporations to run their own TV, or store chains to deliver advertisements from one point. It greatly helps film distributors, universities, sport clubs, associations, churches or unions to communicate more effectively with their audience.

This pioneering concept consists of the following components: full HD capable video playout and CG automation engine (video stream composition), video, CG and social-cast planning (play-list editing), content management, internet media streaming (YouTube), internet social media casting (Facebook, Twitter, Google+), and web browser based control application. Solution users have secure access to their content uploaded in the cloud storage, and to their on line CG playout schedules and playout control. For streaming via YouTube, users specify the YouTube live stream address as provided by the YouTube service together with the stream parameters. For social media and message distribution, users specify the credentials for the Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ services.

The service may be used whenever there is a need to cast media content enriched by CG and social media messages into the internet while keeping control over the content composition, timing, and delivery. Stream-Circle is a smart add-on to standard streaming and VOD services such as YouTube where the viewers actively search and play the content. The Stream-Circle service builds on top of this concept and gives users control of what will be presented and when to be seen by the viewers. It combines traditional linear broadcast planning with internet delivery at an extremely low cost.

There is a virtually unlimited choice of media that can be streamed. Video clips may be used in different formats, including mpeg4, mpeg2, AVC and others (the format and container list is regularly updated). Initially, the media files are uploaded into the secure Stream-Circle automation cloud. The automation software first analyses the media files and returns specific useful metadata. In addition to video clips, it is possible to use a wide range of CG components, such as logos, 3D objects, multiple video panels, overlay graphics (examples in photos), etc. The CG component templates provide for smooth parametrisation and placement into the stream. For 3D graphics, the upload format definitions are provided and it is possible to test them before they appear live on the screen. Up to 4 HD streams can be played at the same time; the number of HD streams played sequentially is not limited.

There are already many more intelligent features to Stream-Circle and additional extensions will be announced personally by Josef Vasica, CEO Provys, at Moravia Montreux, ABEX Society's conference on 29 May, 2015.

Josef commented: "We presented Stream-Circle at NAB, where we received considerable positive feedback and suggestions. Arising from this, additional improvements have already been made and we shall be announcing further details soon. We were honoured to receive the prestigious Game Changer Award and we thank IABM for this recognition."

Josef's comments fully correspond with Peter White, Chief Executive, IABM, who says: "IABM is dedicated to rewarding innovation and creativity in companies of all sizes. By opening up the awards for entry this year, we have seen an incredibly high standard, and this year's winners have all distinguished themselves in the significant contributions they have made to the industry as a whole."

And so, the Stream-Circle wagon train continues to roll, trail-blazing new paths into the media future.

This article is also available to read in BFV online.
(JP)