Recast Digital Player Technology Overview

 

Player Introduction
   
 

The Recast Digital Video Player provides advanced interactive adaptive-bitrate ("dynamic") streaming to viewers with Flash® Player 10.  The dynamic streaming capabilities of player and server are designed to intelligently optimise the online video experience for viewers by streaming the highest possible video quality and video resolution at any given time based on actual bandwidth conditions and computer performance.

The player is built within the native capabilities of Adobe® Flash® technology, and as such no additional software downloads or plug-ins are required beyond the basic Flash® Player available for download for all major browsers from Adobe.com.

The player works in conjunction with our own in-house Content Management System (CMS) and video delivery platform, and is designed to offer a highly customisable video solution for premium content owners seeking to distribute their content online.

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Innovation:
 

 
 

Recast Digital is focussed exclusively on the ubiquitous Adobe® Flash® video player format. Rather than develop solutions across a range of video technologies, our strategy is to create and innovate within the proven and highly adopted Flash® Player ecosystem.

The video player is the result of extensive and ongoing internal development. The core functionality of the video player is optimised to outperform other flash player developments across a number of areas including usability, video image quality, video playback smoothness, playback performance across a wide range of computer systems, bandwidth efficiencies, and design/customisation flexibility.

Developments to our player and service are continuously ongoing as the rapidly changing technologies of online video opens up new possibilities and opportunities, such as those of android mobile platforms and Google TV.

Within the content management and delivery ecosystem we combine our own developments with those of specialist niche companies to allow us to address both the scalability and reliability aspects of online video delivery as demanded by premium content owners.

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Key Features:
 

 
 
  • High Quality Video Streaming up to 720p (HD) resolution video, 1080p (Full HD) on request.
  • Dynamic Multi-bitrate Adaptive streaming for users with Flash 10.
  • Near instant start and seek functionality.
  • Automatic playback performance monitoring and optimisation, with manual override.
  • Three full-screen player modes for optimal video performance across the widest range of computer systems and screen resolutions.
  • Configurable Content, Playlists and Players via our Content Management System (CMS).
  • Customisable content security features including encryption, tunnelling, URL restrictions, geographic restrictions, and player (.swf) protection.
  • Secure streaming across corporate firewalls which block standard streaming traffic (via RMTPT).
  • VOD and Live Streaming (Live Streaming custom development only).
  • High Performance Global CDN infrastructure capable of supporting streaming to large audiences and supporting consistent high bandwidth connectivity to viewers.
  • Rapid, high quality, highly scalable video transcoding specifically optimised for Flash® video playback.
 

Video Quality and Performance Optimisation:
   
 

The RD player incorporates a three-step mode system through which both the player and the viewer can optimise video playback performance according to the user’s individual computer capabilities. In the race to support high definition video, many online player developments do not appropriately cater for lower end users on low bandwidths or lower powered computer systems. Each mode within the RD player operates within a different range of video resolutions and bitrates, thus enabling optimised playback performance according to the computer system in use and its performance capabilities at that moment in time. Regardless of the selected mode, the embedded view of the player uses only the 360p mode, with 480p and 720p becoming available when the user selects full-screen mode.

The table below outlines what video quality and resolutions are available in each player mode:

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In each mode, the video bitrate (kbps) is selected automatically and intelligently by the player based on the actual bandwidth conditions of the viewer. If bandwidth decreased or increased during playback, the player will identify the change and adjust the streamed video quality level accordingly with minimal impact to the viewing experience. Only in the case of sudden and extreme changes in bandwidth or computer performance will playback become impaired.

Overall the viewer experience is greatly enhanced using this method of intelligent dynamic streaming, particularly when compared to progressive download players and other players limited in their range of support for variable resolutions.

 
 

Specifications:
 

Codec Support: H.264 / HE-AAC

Streaming Protocols: RTMP, RTMPT, RTMPE

Video Resolutions (16:9): 252p, 360p, 480p, 720p, (1080p by request)

Bitrates: 450kbps, 800kbps, 1300kbps, 1800kbps, 2300kbps, 3000kbps (higher by request)

Flash® Player: Support for Flash® Player version 10 upwards

 

For any other issues or questions, please email support[at]recastdigital.com

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