NAB 2011: Streambox Releases New ACT-L3 AP Codec

Streambox has announced the new Streambox ACT-L3 AP Codec (Advanced Compression Technology – Level 3 Advanced Profile), which utilizes innovative coding methods to incorporate more efficient algorithms and uses new techniques to compress and playout video.

The release of this new video compression ACT-L3 AP not only introduces new coding methods, but the Advanced Profile also presents a new frame type: the R-Frame. The R-Frame allows improved quality of live video transmission over wireless and Internet networks for low latency, low bit rate, or high packet loss environments, which are crucial in live breaking news situations.

The ACT-L3 AP codec translates across the entire Streambox Platform of professional live and file-based video products including HD/SD rackmount Encoders and Decoders, HD/SD Software Encoders installed on Mac OS X and Windows PC laptops, iPhone and Android Apps, and the mobile encoding device Streambox Avenir. ACT-L3 AP is also supported across all versions of Streambox codecs, including 4:2:2, High Definition, and 3D versions.

“More and more Broadcasters, news organizations, and streaming video users are taking advantage of low cost 3G/4G cellular, Wi-Fi, and Internet networks to transmit live video,” says Bob Hildeman, chairman and CEO of Streambox. “The new Streambox ACT-L3 AP coding method improves the quality of live video delivered over poor quality networks where there is a considerable amount of packet loss. This new compression engine improves the video from the iPhone, iPad 2, Android phones, Mac and PC Laptops, and Streambox’s dedicated HD/SD Encoders and Avenir.”

With the ACT-L3 AP codec’s R-Frame, there is no need for the typical I-Frame transmission in order to have high video quality over poor or less than desirable IP connections. The new R-Frames ensure the whole picture is updated in milliseconds (or within a predefined duration). All advanced encoding and filtering features of ACT-L3 AP are preserved within the R-Frames to provide the excellent video quality. Users also have the option to select the improved ACT-L3 I-Frame mode for high quality file-based video transmission or other suitable situations.

Streambox will demonstrate their video over IP streaming solutions powered by the new ACT-L3 AP video codec at NAB next week.