SkyStream Networks Advances PUSH Media-on-Demand and Business TV with Enhancements to Its zBand Content Delivery Platform.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- zBand 4.5 Includes New Encryption to Prevent Signal Theft, Increases Automation and Melds Live TV with Time-Shifted IPTV

SkyStream Networks, the leader in IP video delivery solutions, today unveiled a new version of its content delivery platform for IPTV, Media-on-Demand (MOD) and Business TV services. zBand 4.5 integrates strong encryption from Certicom and adds automation of key features to make it easier for telco, satellite or cable operators to roll out MOD or other time-shifted content delivery services and for businesses to create their own TV networks.

How PUSH Differs from VOD

PUSH MOD technology differs from network-based Video-on-Demand (VOD) in that content is "pushed" from a server at the network headend to hard-drive storage on a user device, such as personal video recorders (PVR), set-top boxes, a PC or mobile phone, for play-out at the user's convenience. The content can be pushed at high speeds, trickled at low speeds, or can be delivered at off-peak times to maximize efficient network usage. In VOD, content is streamed from storage on servers at the network's core whenever users request it. This method requires dedicated network capacity for each user, forcing the network operator to plan for peak period usage; ultimately requiring more network bandwidth.

New Content Protection and Security Features

With licensed integration of Certicom's Security Builder cryptography software, SkyStream's zBand, a client/server software platform, is able to protect content owner copyright, corporate intellectual property, and sensitive third-party information from theft during transmission over any multicast network to the user play-out device. This eliminates a key barrier to MOD and business TV deployment: the need to purchase expensive third-party conditional access software. Service providers now can meet the stringent security requirements of content owners without paying extra for transmission security.

zBand 4.5 now automates user registration, targeting and scheduling of media delivery, which gives telco, cable and satellite operators an integrated, one-step management platform for PUSH media-on-demand service deployments. With zBand, the server is typically located at the media delivery headend and the zBand client software is embedded or can be downloaded onto any network-connected device with a hard drive, including PVRs, set-top boxes, handheld computers or cell phones, to manage media delivery.

zBand 4.5's new back-channel registration feature automates the process of securely connecting clients to the zBand server and collecting user-specific information from the client. These features increase security and network reliability by enabling changes of encryption keys, and providing tight integration with user authentication and system access.

Support for MPEG-4

The newest version of zBand also adds support for the MPEG-4 AVC advanced video codec, a compression technology that allows service providers and enterprises to deliver HDTV or other high-quality video while conserving network bandwidth. zBand automates the process of configuring and managing MPEG-4 encoder hardware, saving time and eliminating operator errors.

New Toolkit to Create an EPG

zBand 4.5 provides powerful automation and scheduling enhancements including an easy-to-use toolkit for service providers to generate highly customized user interfaces. This toolkit includes drag-and-drop features for service providers and enterprises to create professional-looking electronic program guides (EPG) that present video for entertainment, communication with employees and customers, training or digital signage.

Programming may also be prioritized in advance, ensuring that all programs are ready to be viewed at the user's request and to prevent scheduling conflicts. zBand 4.5 also automates media file play-out and deletion of expired content from the local hard disk, an ideal feature for MOD deployments, in-store displays or audio channels and mobile "lifestyle" applications.

New Playlist Management

New server-side playlist functionality enables network operators to provide centrally scheduled video playout services. In the corporate lobby of a bank, for example, customers can watch pre-programmed video, such as the latest investment advice from Warren Buffet on CNN, while in the employee training room sales associates are getting PUSH based on-demand video training on how to sell the latest features of flexible-rate mortgage loans.

"This latest version of zBand opens a world of possibility for service providers and enterprises alike to offer a wide range of live and time-shifted television services to consumers and enterprise locations. zBand delivers these services over any multicast or broadcast network enabling a rapid time-to-market to generate revenue faster and gain competitive advantage," said Scott Dougall, director of software products, SkyStream Networks. "zBand 4.5's enhanced security and new ease-of-use features ensure safe, carefully managed delivery of media to thousands of locations."

Demonstrations, Pricing and Availability

zBand 4.5 is available today. SkyStream will offer demonstrations of the product September 10-14 in Stand # 1.340 here at the IBC conference and exhibition in Amsterdam. To arrange for a demonstration, for pricing and additional information, please send email to SkyStream at [e-mail] or call [phone].

About SkyStream Networks

SkyStream, www.skystream.com, provides IP video delivery platforms that enables service providers to transform their business. With SkyStream products, they can better manage their existing services and generate new revenues from broadcast TV, movies on demand and multimedia. By taking IP closer to the edge, SkyStream's software and hardware products dramatically lower costs to provide services and optimize video delivery in any network. SkyStream is the leader in IP video with over 250 customers.