INDUSTRY NEWS
Ground-breaking new video streaming technology launched
Global Invacom Group , the satellite communications equipment provider , has successfully live-tested breakthrough technology that permits live , high quality and large-scale event video streaming over a Wi-Fi network .
The Bx-WiFi technology – which stands for Broadcast Wi-Fi – was developed through a partnership with the BBC Research & Development , and the University of Hertfordshire , under a European Space Agency ( ESA ) contract , and was successfully live-tested at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 12 , 13 and 18 .
Bx-WiFi enables simultaneous streaming of uninterrupted audio or video content from multiple sources – such as satellite feed , ‘ live ’ video or digital radio – to thousands of smartphone or tablet devices all located in the same hotspot ( for example at an event ). It uses Forward Error Correction to maintain video quality despite potential Wi-Fi packet loss , and multicast technology that minimises bandwidth usage when a large number of users are simultaneously streaming .
In simple terms , this means that users should be able to watch the broadcast without experiencing buffering or loss of signal . Unlike classic video streaming , this solution does not rely on the Internet and uses little WiFi bandwidth , allowing other users to access the Internet .
During the trial conducted in association with BBC R & D , participants streamed a comedy compilation from a previous Edinburgh festival as well as the Edinburgh Tattoo 2016 , using Bx-WiFi . Both pieces of content were simultaneously streamed onto a multitude of different devices . The trial also allowed the collection of feedback and data on Bx- WiFi , enabling future enhancements . Steven Fisher , Global Invacom ’ s Systems Architect , said : ‘ BX-WiFi is a breakthrough in streaming technology that is set to redefine video broadcast for large-scale events .
‘ Its scalability and flexibility ensure it can be deployed in diverse venues , including coffee shops , stadiums , and even aboard aircraft . We are pleased to work with partners who made this success possible .’ For further information visit : www . globalinvacom . com
Company bosses ‘ lack cyber-attack training ’
More than two-thirds of companies say their directors have no training in responding to cyber-attacks , according to a government survey .
Of 105 businesses in the FTSE 350 questioned , one in 10 revealed they have no plan to cope with hacking .
Digital Minister Matthew Hancock said May ’ s NHS attack showed the ‘ devastating effect ’ of breaches . He urged companies to take advice and training from the National Cyber Security Centre .
The Cyber Governance Health Check , an annual survey , found that 54 % of company boards said computer hacking was one of the main threats to their business . But 68 % of them had no specific training to deal with a hacking incident . The survey found some progress , however , with 31 % of boards receiving comprehensive information about computer security risks , compared to 21 % in 2015 / 16 .
Mr Hancock said : ‘ We have a long way to go until all our organisations are adopting best practice .’
Stuart Clarke , Chief Technology Officer for Cybersecurity at Nuix , said the reality is that cyber security is now impossible to ignore . We ’ re seeing large-scale attacks increase in frequency , and the worst thing is many are often preventable .
‘ In the case of attacks such as WannaCry and Petya , both attacks took advantage of the same vulnerabilities , a technical vulnerability that had already been patched and the human vulnerability that is of critical importance . If organisations had practiced good cyber-hygiene and developed a cyber aware organisation , both could have easily been prevented .’ For further information contact : www . nuix . com
WyreStorm joins SDVoE Alliance
WyreStorm , a leading manufacturer of AV signal distribution and control technology , has joined the SDVoE Alliance as an adopting member .
The manufacturer will introduce its first SDVoE-capable products at CEDIA 2017 , which takes place in San Diego from September 5-9 .
James Meredith , WyreStorm NetworkHD and Control Product Manager , said : ‘ SDVoE technology gives the WyreStorm NetworkHD 600 Series the power to deliver uncompressed instant seamless switching of full HDMI 4K UHD @ 60Hz 4:4:4 with HDR and zero-frame latency over Cat6a up to 100m via off-the-shelf 10Gb Ethernet switches .
‘ Our decision to become an Alliance member manufacturer illustrates WyreStorm ’ s dedication to the rapidly accelerating transition to AV over IP technology , our unwavering belief in the importance of industry standardization in the adoption of new technologies and the exciting new era of AV connectivity this movement heralds .’
Justin Kennington , President of the SDVoE Alliance , added : ‘ To date , most of the SDVoE membership has been focused on the commercial AV installation space . WyreStorm debuting the NetworkHD 600 line at CEDIA illustrates that SDVoE technology will have a serious role in replacing matrix switches in the custom residential AV channel .’ For further information visit : www . wyrestorm . com
8 | August 2017