Sorenson Media Launches Squeeze Desktop 10 and Squeeze Server 3.0 with Higher Quality, Faster Speeds and Preliminary 4K UHD Support via HEVC, VP9 Encoding and Decoding
First video encoding software provider to support both HEVC & VP9 encoding and decoding to substantially improve video quality & support 4K UHD video.
SALT LAKE CITY(15 Oct 2014)
Sorenson Media today announced the immediate availability of Squeeze Desktop 10 and Squeeze Server 3.0, the first encoding tools capable of supporting both HEVC and VP9 encoding, enabling video professionals to begin working with 4K UHD video.
“We surveyed our customer base in June 2014 and the results reinforced that the market demand for HEVC, VP9 and 4K UHD content in general is real and growing,” said Cathryne Robinson, General Manager for Sorenson Media. “With this Squeeze Desktop 10/Squeeze Server 3.0 release, our customers can be on the cutting edge of video encoding technology.”
Squeeze is Sorenson Media’s powerful video encoding tool, utilized by the largest content creators down to the smallest home video editors. Tried and tested, Squeeze can encode and decode almost any type of video format while enabling the user to upload or publish the video virtually anywhere. The program includes robust and editable presets, filters, and other features to allow complete control over the video encoding process.
The HEVC encoding support, now included in Squeeze, is designed to double the data compression compared to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding) at the same level of video quality. The upgrade translates into substantially improved video quality at lower bit rates. Additionally, Squeeze will support VP9, the successor to VP8 – the open, royalty-free video compression standard. VP9 is designed to reduce the bitrate by 50% compared to VP8 while having the same video quality. Both HEVC and VP9 are key elements to enabling 4K UHD video delivery.
With this latest release, Squeeze now also offers a unique, industry-leading encoding feature called ‘ Multi-Rate Bundle Encoding’ that rapidly and automatically packages files for Apple HLS, Adobe Dynamic Streaming, Microsoft Smooth Streaming, MPEG DASH and MP4 downloads. The time-saving tool encodes each data rate once and then packages everything into multiple formats for the desktop and server.
With this release, additional improvements to Squeeze include:
Closed Caption Insertion – Support for the EIA-608 or EIA-708 (Electronic Industries Alliance) closed captioning in source video, and corresponding TTML (timed text markup language) output, SubRip output and WebVTT output with compressed Squeeze files. Squeeze now has the ability to import a separate. scc file to link the video file and .scc to broadcast streams, thus providing standard and high-definition digital video content.
HLS Encryption – Squeeze has supported HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) encoding in recent years to protect video content amongst its users. Squeeze 10 provides HLS encryption support designed to encrypt HLS videos securely to the video stream, which provides an added layer of security.
Audio Only/Low Bandwidth Apple HLS Adaptive Stream – This release of Squeeze has increased support to its existing HLS output by including a 64Kbps audio-only stream to the HLS output that is compliant with Apple’s requirement for Apps.
Simple Format Conversion – For years Squeeze has offered a vast number of encoding presets on devices and platforms that are specifically tailored for video encoding experts. Squeeze introduces Simple Format Conversion presets, in which video amateurs can simplify format conversion options to preserve the video's original properties. The new preset option will allow user to rewrap a source file into a different format, while limiting the amount of quality loss during the conversion.
4K UHD Presets – The latest release addresses the growing demand to support 4K UHD, as Squeeze is now designed with two specific 4K UHD Presets, one for H.264 and one for x265, that will offer preliminary 4K UHDoutput support to users.
Pricing and Availability – Squeeze Desktop 10 is now available at a price of $199 for the Lite edition, $549 for the Standard edition, $749 for the Pro edition here, and at various upgrade prices for past versions of Squeeze Desktop here. Squeeze Desktop 10 Standand and Pro customers receive full, free use of all Sorenson 360 unique features for Review and Approval. Additional storage capacity and other enhancements are available as upgrades. For more information and Squeeze Server 3.0 pricing, contact a member of the sales team at sales@sorensonmedia.com.
About Sorenson Media:
Sorenson Media is an award-winning provider of video encoding and workflow solutions. With highly scalable cloud- and server-based transcoding solutions, desktop encoding applications, and content management and delivery services, Sorenson Media empowers video professionals and businesses of all sizes to easily and cost-effectively encode, transcode, manage, and deliver the highest-quality video – online and to connected devices. Since 1995, Sorenson Media has been at the forefront of bringing online and mobile video into the economic and cultural mainstream. As video rapidly proliferates online, businesses and video professionals increasingly rely on Sorenson Media's innovative solutions and legacy of trust to meet their evolving needs. For more information visit www.sorensonmedia.com.