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Originally published at Internet.comAdobe announced two new versions of its Flash Media Server, due in January, including one that makes serving much less expensive, and also released Flash Player 9 Update 3, which brings streaming HD to the desktop.
In a major announcement today, Adobe spelled out the two new versions of the Flash Media Server that will be available in January, and that will support high-definition H.264 video.
The higher priced version, Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 3, will be capable of delivering customized scalable video streaming services, plus multi-way social media applications. It will sell for $4,500.
The lower-cost option, Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 3, reduces the price barrier for getting started with streaming video. This server will support live and on- demand video streaming, and will start at $995 for a single license.
With the Interactive Server, Adobe claims to have boosted performance by nearly 200 percent, allowing users to serve nearly twice as many streams at one time, and has increased security with SWF verification, so that content providers can set policies for video access. The Interactive Server also offers real-time encryption.
"With Flash Media Server offering a lower cost of deployment, higher content protection, and better support for live video, content producers will feel confident serving more video because it's protected and they can monetize it with advertising," says Kevin Towes, product manager for Adobe Flash Media Server.
"The consumer benefits because there's more content available at higher quality," Towes adds.
Hulu, the upcoming video on demand site owned jointly by NBC and Fox will offer thousands of hours of video streamed with Flash Media Server 3, says Towes.
"Hulu is committed to giving consumers the best online video viewing experience possible and we are always seeking innovative, new technologies that help us deliver," said Eric Feng, chief technology officer at Hulu. "Together with Adobe, we will provide a best-in-class, high definition video experience."
At the same time that it announced the upcoming Flash Media Server versions, Adobe announced the immediate availability of Flash Player 9 Update 3, which had been codenamed "Moviestar."
This version of the Flash Player will allow users to view streaming H.264 video, and offers hardware acceleration for full screen performance on newer computers. It will also reduce buffering time of streamed content and is enhanced for multi-core processors. The Player will work hand-in-hand with protected content streamed from Flash Media Server 3.
The Flash Player is being released a month ahead of the Flash Media Server to build up an installed base before content is available.
To download the new Flash Player, visit www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer. Then, click to www.adobe.com/flashon to test it out.
Both server software packages can be installed on Windows 2003 servers (Standard or Enterprise) or Red Hat 4 Linux servers.
Author: Troy Dreier
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