Media 100 Ramps Up Streaming Services Business

During a live, streamed press conference Tuesday, Media 100 (www.media100.com) announced it was ramping up its streaming media services strategy, opening a new Streamriver Service Center in Burbank, California. The Burbank facility will be the third office since Media 100 launched its Streamriver services division ( www.streamriver.net) in June, 2000.

According to the company, this will bring them closer to the "Digital Hollywood" market. Media 100 will provide encoding, hosting and live-event webcast production services for clients like HBO, Warner Brothers and Fox Sports.

"The Internet is clearly evolving as the next-generation broadcast medium for multiple industries across the globe. Media 100 continues to be in lock step with the innovators and creative communicators that are leveraging the power and interactivity that the Internet provides," said CEO, John Molinari.

But some in the industry are saying that by starting a streaming services division, Media 100 is competing with its own core customers using its software. Media 100 was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Media 100 also unveiled its latest streaming media production system called iFinish 4, developed for Windows 2000. iFinish is targeted to the corporate market, says the company, with the ability to create interactive events that include graphics, Flash animations and Java applications, all synchronized with streaming video.

iFinish also lets designers create hot spots, URL flips, chapter marks, and search metadata information. It works with Real, Windows Media and QuickTime video. Prices range from $2,995 for an entry-level system, to $14,995 for its professional iFinish 4 V80 system.

In other company news, Media 100 announced on November 21, that it was reporting reduced revenue and earnings expectations for its fourth quarter. The company also said that president and COO, Mark Housley, stepped down for "personal reasons", but will continue on as a board member.