Omneon ProCast CDN offers massive improvements vs. FTP for long-distance transfers

By Ken Kerschbaumer

The fruits of Omneon Video Networks’ acquisition of Castify Networks last
December will be laid bare at NAB with ProCast CDN, a new content delivery
system that can zip, for example, a one hour DV25 file from Los Angeles to
London in three minutes via a 450 Mbps connection. The technology holds much
promise for sports leagues and networks looking to transfer massive HD melt
reel files and other content over long distances.

“FTP may be good for short distances but over long distances it starts to break
down as latency builds,” says Geoff Stedman, VP, marketing, Omneon Video
Networks. “With ProCast CDN what used to take 30 hours via FTP can now be done
in three minutes.”

Castify Networks has been developing its technology for 10 years and makes use
of WAN optimization technology to tie together 120 CDN nodes around the world.
As content needs to be delivered around the world it finds the most efficient
means to use those nodes to route the content quickly and securely.

“Transfers don’t need to do the same kind of handshaking and verification that
takes place using FTP,” says Stedman. Also unlike FTP users can determine which
files to send, which have priority, and set up watch folders. Also important?
In the event of a break in the transfer it will resume the transfer where it
left off instead of requiring the transfer to begin all over again, like FTP.

The tight integration with Omneon storage systems like Spectrum, MediaDeck, and
MediaGrid will make it easy for Omneon clients to integrate into ProCast CDN.
The deployment of CDN nodes at remote sites like stadiums, arenas or bureaus,
for example, allows for content to be distributed easily to the right location.

“By integrating with our systems and using our APIs customers will have fast
access to content,” says Stedman.