China Unicom JV chooses Envivio for multiscreen rollout

Video compression specialist Envivio has been chosen by mobile operator China Unicom and broadcaster Liaoning Radio and Television’s joint venture Broadcasting and Unicom New Media Co (BUC) to provide its 4Caster C4 encoders to deliver content to mobile TV, IPTV and internet TV service across China.

BUC is currently building a facility in Shenyang City that will enable BUC to serve video to all its viewing platforms and distribution partners from a single Envivio-equipped headend.
Services will include more than 90 IPTV channels that deliver both HD and SD-formatted content for BUC’s

Guanglian IPTV service offered locally in Liaoning province and for additional distribution through BUC’s major telecom channel partners throughout China. The facility will also deliver content to support services on a broad array of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad and smartphones and MID devices, content for mobile TV services, including BUC’s own full-service mobile TV portal, and the option for BUC to create an FLV formatted internet TV service.

BUC will rely on Envivio 4Caster C4 encoders to deliver services in a number of formats, including H.264 over TS for its IPTV service; multiple bitrates of H.264 and H.263 for 3GP Mobile TV; and, in the future, H.264 FLV for delivery to PCs. Additional 4Caster encoders within the headend will support the provider’s video on demand services.

“BUC is creating a sophisticated, world-class headend that will provide the flexibility to deliver innovative services, while satisfying a variety of market requirements,” said Julien Signés, president and CEO of Envivio. “The type of forward-thinking demonstrated by BUC is driving demand for Envivio headend solutions in China and around the world as operators look to deliver video services to a growing variety of viewing devices.”

Envivio will be exhibiting at IBC on Stand 1.D73