Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has launched its MediaFirst Management Controller and MediaFirst Encoding Live 8.1. The virtualized video processing solution, which is debuting at the NAB Show 2017 in Las Vegas, is intended to enable operators to capitalize on new services in areas such as UltraHD, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), along with new revenue generating opportunities like dynamic ad insertion.
The system is designed to operate on any platform including pure software, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) server hardware, or private and public cloud.
Elisabetta Romano, vice President and head of Media Solutions, Ericsson, said: "We are making it easier to monetize services and drive down processing delivery costs throughout the entire content lifecycle. Management Controller and Encoding Live 8.1 are pivotal enhancements to MediaFirst Video Processing, the media industry's most complete video processing solution. With these launches, Ericsson simplifies operations for content owners, broadcasters and service providers by enabling the move to complete virtualization across the media processing delivery chain."
MediaFirst Management Controller is intended to simplify the transition to software-based architecture by providing a unified access point for MediaFirst Video Processing products including Encoding Live, On Demand, Packaging, and Stream Processing. The new management platform offers centralized visibility, configuration and control, along with flexible failover and licensing management for MediaFirst Video Processing applications; it can also adapt to dynamically changing environments.
MediaFirst Video Processing Encoding Live 8.1 is intended to enable faster content deployment. The new version offers a unified microservice architecture across platform types, and includes centralized management, integral failover, and dynamic licensing, together with faster video transcoding and higher density when deployed on a platform incorporating Intel's Quick Sync Video (QSV) dedicated video hardware core.
In other Ericsson news, the company is implementing a new end-to-end primary video distribution system for Mexican broadcaster Televisa. The system includes Ericsson's AVP Encoder with its latest HEVC compression module, the MX8400 Multiplexer and many RX8200 HEVC receivers with integrated DVB-S2X de-modulator.
By deploying both DVB-S2X and HEVC, Televisa can increase the number of high definition services it distributes. Televisa has also selected Ericsson's system management platform nCompass Director, which features conditional access and software download capabilities.