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April 2008
Firm's Breakthrough Over Faster Internet
Posted on: Tuesday, 1 April 2008, 00:00 CDT
A HULL company says it has developed technology enabling films and live events to be viewed on the internet faster and with a better picture quality than rival systems.
Bestfrontseat uses new compression technology to deliver video on demand and broadcast live events such as concerts and sports events. It minimises the use of bandwidth in order to broadcast high- quality videos in full screen format more quickly than rivals. Director Peter Kemp and managing director Stephen John have spent two years and over £1m developing the system, which they believe is the best in the world.
Mr Kemp said: "The way this works is unique. Microsoft and Google can broadcast the same quality pictures but they require a much higher delivery streaming rate than the Bestfrontseat solution. If they want to use the same bit rate, they can only offer smaller pictures, they can't do it in full-screen like this. "They use a different form of compression. This part of our system is protected by global patents and is unique to our technology licensing partner, Even Technologies Inc." He added: "Bestfrontseat has developed a global video delivery network that guarantees a fast and reliable delivery service, with clients only paying for the deliveries we actual make for them. No delivery, no fee."
Although the company is confident its technology is better than anything else on the market it is facing the challenge of being a small company competing against global giants. Mr Kemp said: "We have had a great issue with credibility. We started as two blokes sat in Hull and everyone thinks 'You can't be serious, Microsoft can't even do this'. But we have proved we can deliver." Two years ago Bestfrontseat broadcast its first live concert, from the Welly Club in Hull but it has set its sights on broadcasting huge events on a world stage.
The company has developed an e-ticket system where people can register for tickets and view a live event online. The technology is so sophisticated that it can even target customers with specific advertising depending on their age and other details submitted when they register. There is also a control mechanism, which means that event organisers can send instant messages to viewers on the main screen. Mr Kemp added: "Other people have put concerts online but as far as we are aware nobody else on the planet is able to take it as far as we have done."
Bestfrontseat currently broadcasts video material on behalf of firms such as television stations and video companies and does not promote itself as part of the deal. It has signed non-disclosure agreements with the other firms involved, so Mr Kemp remains tight-lipped when it comes to naming his customers, although he says there are big contracts in the pipeline.
The company has so far broadcast TV from the Far East, Middle East and the United States. It has also broadcast a number of live concert events from the UK. The company has also delivered film downloads and long distance learning lectures.
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Source: Yorkshire Post