Tue, 09/29/2009


2009 Press Releases

RealNetworks Improves Operators' Control of Mobile Video Delivery with New Helix Media Delivery Platform

  • Operators can monitor on- and off-deck video usage on networks

  • Video quality improvements achieved with live rate adaptation

  • Enables new business models to monetize advanced networks

LONDON and SEATTLE – September 30, 2009 – RealNetworks®, Inc. (RNWK), the digital entertainment services company, today released a new version of its Helix™ Media Delivery Platform (Helix Platform)—including tools to rapidly build and deploy mobile TV services to subscribers—with the new features that operators are looking for to help them control and monetize their 3G/4G networks. The new Helix Platform lets operators take control of video usage on their network, the quality of video delivered to subscribers and their ability to test new business models and monetize mobile video.

A number of key partners have run extensive trials of the Helix Platform, including Sky and SFR. Real's beta customers have successfully streamed video—including live sports events, news and user-generated content—to tens of thousands of concurrent subscribers using 3GPP-compliant devices, such as the iPhone. Further, system integrators such as Atos, Nokia Siemens Networks, F-Secure (formerly Steek) and Thomson have selected the Helix Platform as the foundation of their mobile video offerings to operators. 

"Quality and reliability are among the top concerns when delivering our content to mobile network operators," said Ben Nielsen, Product Manager Mobile TV at Sky.  "Because the Helix Media Delivery Platform is deployed both at the MNO and here at Sky, we can use Helix splitting technology to ensure our content looks great, conserves bandwidth and provides the best end user experience."

The Helix Platform's new features include:

  • Enhanced monitoring and control for both live and on-demand video in the new Helix Session Manager allows operators to better understand and manage the ways their network is being used for on- and off-deck video

  • Live rate adaptation in Helix Mobile Server ensures subscribers have the same consistent video quality with live events that they have for on-demand content in fluctuating networks 

  • Play-list creation functionality in Helix Mobile Server provides operators ad-insertion capabilities and thus the opportunity to experiment with business models for mobile video.  This also allows both end users and operators to create custom video channels that imitate linear programming

  • Multi-format live and on-demand support in the next-generation Helix Mobile Producer and Server enables delivery of video to any 3G/4G enabled device, including Apple's iPhone

"We chose to partner with RealNetworks, as they offer unrivalled streaming media technology," said Alexander Cassasovici, Head of Mobile at F-Secure Storage and Digital Content. "As the leading supplier to ISPs and Mobile Operators, F-Secure's solutions must be of the highest quality and reliability, and RealNetworks' Helix Media Delivery Platform represents the best quality and reliability available today."

Scott MacKenzie, director of product management for Helix, RealNetworks added: "Mobile video is becoming an increasingly important service as operators look to differentiate themselves. As mobile networks improve, streaming is becoming more prevalent due to its capability and cost. New products and features make the new Helix Media Delivery Platform a perfect solution for the delivery of streamed mobile video, capable of handling all aspects of the content delivery chain, from media encoding and asset authentication through to accounting and playback."

RealNetworks develops market-leading software for encoding, delivery, management and playback of digital audio and video over mobile and broadband networks.  With a reputation for reliability and world-class customer support, Helix is the choice of more than 100 mobile operators, many Global 1000 enterprises and the top universities. More about Helix Products may be found at http://www.realnetworks.com/helixplatform.aspx

For More Information

In Europe:
Kevin Connor
kevin.connor@axicom.com
AxiCom
D: +44 20 8392 4082
M: +44 7912 194 237

In the US:
Katie McGraw
SHIFT Communications
kmcgraw@shiftcomm.com
617.779.1822

ABOUT REALNETWORKS

RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system or mobile phone.  Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead the market with pioneering products and services, including:  RealPlayer®, the first mainstream media application to enable the downloading and transfer of online video to mobile devices; the Rhapsody® digital music service, which delivers a catalog of more than 8 million songs to users at home, work and on-the-go; GameHouse.com, one of the premier casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of mobile entertainment services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers through leading wireless carriers around the world.  RealNetworks' corporate information is located at www.realnetworks.com/about-us/index.aspx.