Media Host, a newly launched specialist communications company, says it offers the media industry a cost-effective and time-efficient new way to collect, host and distribute digitally compressed video content through telecommunications and IT.
Established two months ago by Video Lab founder Mike Smit, Media Host uses a combination of existing technologies to collect media content in a digitally compressed format. These compressed clips are hosted on a central server and distributed through satellite communications. A satellite receiver, combined with a "Playbox" that can host up to 600 standard broadcast quality commercials, allows media owners to access these clips and to remotely schedule broadcasts to sites on the Media Host network.
"All the technology we use is tried and tested, but the combination of these technologies allows us to offer a world-first service," says Smit.
"The uniqueness of this service is that every commercial is pre-delivered to media owners on the network. Once a commercial is scheduled, the video file is instantaneously 'unlocked` and made available for play-out. The process remains the same whether the commercial is destined for a local or Southern African broadcaster."
Media Host has already set up five test sites and is currently in discussions with major retailers and one of the country`s largest on-screen advertisers. While the technology will find its initial application in the digital distribution of commercials, it lends itself to virtually unlimited applications, says the company. This service presents new opportunities for visual display advertisers, who are growing as a result of technology improvements in visual displays.
"Although we are currently delivering short-form content, with the anticipated decrease in bandwidth costs and improvements in compression technologies, we aim to be able to deliver long-form content in the near future," Smit says.
"We are developing a network that will allow post-production facilities to collaborate with production companies and advertisers with media owners. The advantages in terms of time, money and control of digital collection, hosting and distribution of video content are vast to the production industry. For one, the production process will speed up significantly."
He explains that the system incorporates the latest in media scheduling software that allows media owners to remotely and instantly manage scheduling at different site locations. Advertisers are now able to respond to changes in the marketplace without the expense and logistical difficulties associated with physical delivery.
"As technologically advanced as the media industry has always been, collection, hosting and distribution has lagged technological developments. The Media Host system will correct this and allow the industry to become much more cost- and time-efficient," concludes Smit.
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