Fixstars and Broadcast International form business alliance for video compression
Issue date:
14 Apr 2008
Cell Broadband Engine™ (Cell/B.E.) solutions provider Fixstars Corporation announced today a business alliance with Broadcast International, Inc. (OTCBB:BCST) for its CodecSys video compression technology.
By entering into this alliance, Fixstars will start Japanese domestic sales operations and customer support for CodecSys-based products, and will also start collaborating on the optimization of the CodecSys software “CodecSys HDCP Cell BE H.264 Encoder” for Cell/B.E.
Broadcast International (BI) possesses patents for CodecSys, which is a multi-codec technology designed for real time distribution of HD-quality video. High compression rates and minimal loss in image quality is made possible by selecting the optimal encoder by video scene. BI provides “CodecSys HDCP Cell BE H.264 Encoder” for the Cell/B.E. platform. This encoder enables high- definition live broadcasts or Internet streaming in low-bandwidth environments. Fixstars will work on optimizing the CodecSys HDCP Cell BE H.264 Encoder program to maximize the computational powers harnessed from the Cell/B.E.
According to Fixstars CEO, Satoshi Miki, “Technology such as CodecSys is invaluable for today’s high-definition, high-bandwidth video content. I believe that the integration of BI’s leading edge codec technology with the Cell/B.E. computing power will accelerate the advancement of video technology.”
“The alliance with Fixstars demonstrates the power and adaptability of the CodecSys software,” said Rod Tiede, CEO of Broadcast International. “Fixstars' expertise with the Cell/B.E. processor will be invaluable in optimizing the two technologies to reach unprecedented levels of video compression with HD quality in a live environment.”
"We are pleased that two of our partners in the expanding Cell/B.E. ecosystem will be working together closely," says Dan Greenberg, Offering Manager, IBM Industry Systems Division. "We were already working with Fixstars and Broadcast International individually, but now, through the collaborative efforts of the three companies, we will accelerate the introduction of powerful video compression running on off-the-shelf Cell/B.E. products into the market."
Broadcast International will showcase the CodecSys HDCP Cell BE H.264 Encoder at the NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) in Las Vegas, April 14, 2008, and will demonstrate the technology using 720p HD video (booth number: SU14310). Fixstars will be involved in Japanese language briefings and demonstrations at the same booth.
About Broadcast International
Broadcast International is a leading provider of video-powered broadcast solutions, including IP, and digital satellite, Internet streaming and other types of wired/wireless network distribution. BI’s patented CodecSys software is a breakthrough video compression technology that cuts video bandwidth requirements more than 80% over satellite, cable, IP and wireless networks. By slashing bandwidth needs, CodecSys enables a new generation of applications such as live streaming video over the Internet and to cell phones, and offers unprecedented price/ performance benefits for existing video applications on IPTV, cable and broadcast networks. As a software-based video compression solution, CodecSys is easily upgradeable, enabling new codecs to be added or changed with a simple software download, while competitive hardware-based products require costly full replacement. For more information, go to .
About Fixstars Corporation
Fixstars Corporation provides software technology solutions that target Cell/B.E. with a vision of the future where multi-core microprocessors are the standard. Fixstars provides total Cell/B.E. solutions from hardware acquisition, development environment set up, to software development, especially for financial, medical, and digital media industries. Please see for more detailed information.
About Cell Broadband Engine™
Cell Broadband Engine™: a microprocessor jointly developed by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. It is a multi-core chip containing the 64-bit Power processor core and multiple, independent SIMD processor cores. This architecture makes real-time multimedia processing possible, which enables this chip to be used not only in next generation electronics and computer entertainment systems, but also in many other fields such as science and technology simulation systems. Currently PLAYSTATION®3 and the IBM Blade Servers use the Cell/B.E.
