Raleigh-Durham, N.C. – May 12, 2009
More Than 20 Companies Show Support for Adobe ‘Strobe’
Leading Flash Media Solution Providers Fast-Forward Media Player Development
SAN JOSE, Calif. and NEW YORK — May 12, 2009 — At the 2009 Streaming Media East Conference, Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) today announced that global media companies, content delivery networks (CDNs), publishers and advertising networks are embracing Adobe’s open framework for building custom media players. Code-named “Strobe”, the new framework will help establish an industry standard for media players and will offer production-ready components to streamline the development process, reducing the time content publishers spend creating playback technologies. Since Strobe was announced on April 20, 2009 more than 20 companies in the online media space – including Adap.tv, Akamai, Brightcove, CDNetworks, Digitalsmiths, Eyewonder, GlanceGuide, Grab Networks, Incited Media, iStreamplanet, KickApps, Level 3 Communications, Limelight Networks, Multicast Media, Nielsen, Omniture, Panache, PointRoll, ScanScout, Thumbplay, Visible Measures, and YuMe – plan to support the Strobe framework.
“By providing all the key components for online video player development, the Strobe framework will drastically save time for media companies who don’t want to start the process from scratch,” said Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe. “The momentum we’re seeing with Strobe demonstrates the real need for an open framework that lets these companies focus on developing, delivering and monetizing content rather than on the nuts and bolts of video player development. We are working closely with leading Flash Media Solution providers in the content and video infrastructure space to fast-forward media player development and ensure even more great content can be delivered online.”
Strobe Takes Full Advantage of Adobe Flash Platform
Strobe will incorporate media player features found in Adobe® Flash® Media Server 3.5 software, including Dynamic Streaming to help ensure a high-quality, uninterrupted video viewing experience as network conditions change. Also included will be DVR functionality to pause and seek within live video, HTTP progressive delivery support and pluggable support for multiple content delivery networks. Strobe will help media player developers incorporate video quality of service (QoS) features within rich and interactive experiences for viewers. Strobe will enable Adobe developers and ecosystem partners to fully take advantage of the powerful and time saving video capabilities of the Adobe Flash Platform and simplifies the delivery of online media player development.
With an open framework, developers can use Strobe software components to add rich functionality such as advertising, user measurement tracking and social network integration – without having to code the functionality directly into the media player. Strobe’s architectural design provides an extensible platform that enables developers to use only the parts of the framework they need and assemble plug-and-play software components, from Adobe and third-party providers.
“MTV Networks welcomes Adobe’s move toward an open model for media player development. The Strobe framework will enable best-of-breed components to be readily integrated, reducing development costs and creating improved functionality for content distributors,” said Glenn Goldstein, vice president of Media Technology Strategy for MTV Networks Digital Media. “We look forward to working with Adobe and our CDN partners on consolidating our development efforts into an extensible platform that works across multiple CDNs and supports a variety of delivery technologies based on the Adobe Flash Platform.”
Strobe further broadens the reach and capabilities of the Adobe Flash Platform, the No. 1 technology for video on the Web. According to comScore, approximately 80 percent of online videos viewed worldwide are delivered using Adobe Flash technology. Adobe Flash Player software – already installed on 98 percent of Internet‐connected desktops – gives viewers access to rich content without having to download additional software. By providing an open framework for media players based on the Adobe Flash Platform, content owners can be sure that programming will reach the largest possible online audience as they bring their Strobe-based video players to market.
“As a leading online media company, blip.tv takes care of the servers, the software, the workflow, the advertising and the video distribution so creative people can get their original programming out there,” said Mike Hudack, chief executive officer of blip.tv. “With Strobe, we will be able to help video content creators distribute and monetize their creations in new ways. Adobe Strobe is a nice step forward for content creators who want to distribute their content in context of a rich, engaging player environment that supports all the features of the Adobe Flash Platform.”
Pricing and Availability
Strobe is expected to be available, at no charge, in Q3 2009. For more information, please visit www.adobe.com/go/strobe.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.