MediaPlatform Adds iPhone to its Growing Mobile Video Portfolio

Enterprise video software company MediaPlatform, Inc.'s WebCaster software now allows live webcasts on Apple iPhones. Extending its mobile strategy beyond previously announced support for the iPad and Android, MediaPlatform lets workers remotely view liv

Los Angeles, CA(08 Nov 2011)

MediaPlatform, Inc., the enterprise video software company, today announced that its WebCaster software now allows live webcasts on Apple iPhones.  Extending its mobile strategy beyond previously announced support for the iPad and Android, MediaPlatform lets workers remotely view live training or other corporate video on their iPhones through HTTP live streaming (HLS).

MediaPlatform's multi-device mobile video strategy aligns with major industry trends.  According to Apple's October 18 earnings call, enterprises continue to adopt iPhones with 93 percent of the Fortune 500 deploying or testing the device, up from 91 percent last quarter, and 60 percent of the Global 500 testing or deploying iPhones, up from 57 percent last quarter.

"The ability to distribute business video to mobile devices opens a new frontier for business communications," said Steve Vonder Haar, research director of Interactive Media Strategies. "Mobile video makes it easier than ever before to make sure that executives can get their most engaging messages distributed to the right people at the right time - and at the right place. But to make mobile video truly valuable, companies must deploy the software platforms that can help manage the complexities of making mobile distribution a reality."

According to MediaPlatform CEO Jim McGovern, "By adding iPhone support to our mobile strategy, we're able to give enterprises what they've been asking for - the ability to access webcasts and other corporate video from whatever device, browser and platform they're using.  Introducing interactive, live HLS webcasting to the iPhone, in addition to the iPad and to Android devices, satisfies this need while delivering all the technological and network benefits Adobe Flash Platform brings to the corporate IT department."

The company's clients are quickly adapting to the new functionality.  "We recently took advantage of WebCaster's new iOS capability on an earnings call for a large public company," said Michael Bowden, technical manager for broadcast at UK-based MerchantCantos. "It was a great service to be able to offer to our client." 

How is Flash Video Supported?

In Adobe Flash Media Enterprise Server 4.5, Adobe added support for HLS, a protocol developed to stream live and recorded video using standard HTTP connections. HLS is a streaming format compatible with the iPhone and iPad, where Flash is not supported.  As a result, enterprises using MediaPlatform's WebCaster, which uses FMS 4.5 and its HLS capabilities -are able to webcast video to remote workers using the aforementioned mobile devices. 

More on Webcaster and Its New Features:

MediaPlatform also announced several new features to its WebCaster software. WebCaster, which is available in cloud-based and on-premises versions, enables enterprises and digital media producers to produce, broadly distribute and monitor interactive live and on-demand webcasts that feature streaming video, PowerPoint® slides, audio, surveys, polls and screen demoing. New features include:

• Screencasting by software only instead of requiring special equipment such as capture cards or external capture stations. This allows for greater convenience, is less expensive and is especially useful for remote or occasional presenters.
• F4V encoding that supports the H.264 codec, which is required for webcasting on iOS devices
• Linked assets, which save time, space and bandwidth by providing the ability to present image and videos using URLs rather than uploading whole files to the WebCaster system
• Rich text editor, enables producers to create/edit the lobby, invitation emails, etc. in a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode

About MediaPlatform, Inc.

MediaPlatform, Inc. delivers best-in-class webcasting and media management technology to global enterprises and digital media producers.   MediaPlatform's webcasting software enables high-impact presentations for lead generation, corporate communications and training.  The company offers organizations the ability to take advantage of scalable cloud-based computing, as well as on-premises deployment, to present and manage rich media. With media management tools built on its platform, the company helps clients derive long term archive value from their investment in media content.   www.mediaplatform.com   www.twitter.com/webcaster  

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