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August 2007 UK Broadcaster Channel 4 Encodes for VoD, Mobile and More with StreamZWorking closely with the major service providers, we have been using the ATEME standalone encoder in conjunction with StreamZ for pre-processing material. The ATEME software runs on Windows based server systems. While they work well together, Channel 4 is currently beta testing a new version of StreamZ which has been customised to directly incorporate ATEME video encoding techology. This move will simplify the transcoding architecture and increase the speed of file generation. The introduction of the ATEME technology to the StreamZ is a key development for Channel 4, as it enables us to utilise the MPEG4/AVC/H.264 format that is now becoming widely introduced by the service providers.
 With the installation of the StreamZ we currently have the capacity to transcode approximately 10,000 files per month. These are primarily offline file-based transcodes using 50Mbps MXF source media. Basically, the format chain is from tape to intermediate file (MXF) and then to the final file format required by the platform. Channel 4 also transmits content simultaneously for our digital channels, together with providing real-time clips taken from the transmission stream and delivered to 3G platforms for mobile services.
The StreamZ encoders are real workhorses and were used for eight programmes a week of Big Brother, encoding a mixture of live and non-live material for VoD, streaming and mobile operations for Virgin, BT and 4 on Demand.
Channel 4 has a long history of co-operation with Digital Rapids, whom we trust to provide flexible, reliable technology, a broad suite of codecs and good support. We sometimes also have special requirements and integration needs and Digital Rapids are really good at accommodating these within a short timescale.
One of the key advantages as far as Channel 4 is concerned is the fact that the StreamZ units can be operated remotely. The scheduling system triggers StreamZ to start operating and tells the units the location of the requisite files, which the StreamZ finds and transcodes. As far as we are aware the fact that this is completely automatic, with no manual intervention, is something unique to Channel 4.
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