Crystal launched a cloud version of its Video Metadata Analyzer (VMA) at the NAB Show.
Crystal VMA is designed to view, describe, and log metadata and corresponding video segments in an OTT environment with frame accurate timing. VMA is able to identify any anomalies with metadata insertion and ensure accuracy of distributed video, enabling targeted content, dynamic ad insertion, and ensuring distribution rights are adhered to.
The cloud version of VMA is intended to allow broadcasters, cable channels and video program distributors to run the VMA software on virtual machines in their own data centers or to securely access VMA running on cloud services such as Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services for OTT distribution. The latest update has also introduced support for new encoding methods such as HLS, MPEG-DASH and H.265.
"Broadcasters are increasingly using cloud environments to enable much easier global collaboration," commented Roger Franklin, CEO, Crystal. "At the same time, metadata is becoming all the more crucial, ensuring the right content is distributed to the right channels at the right time, while enabling dynamic ad insertion. This update means that our customers can make use of the benefits of VMA from within their existing cloud environments."