BitTorrent Tests Large-File Transfers Via Personal Content Channels

BitTorrent has released the first beta version of its upcoming Project Chrysalis software with a new feature: personal content channels.
Channels empower people to send massive files such as videos, high-resolution family photos and other personal content libraries to friends, family and other groups. Built-in social features encourage interaction among channel members, creating a mini social network centered on a similar interest or event.

“Until recently, most of your personal files were small enough to email or post to social networks. Now, it’s really easy to shoot HD video with your smartphone or snap high-res photos from a digital SLR. What happens to these giant files? They sit orphaned on your computer, or over-edited to make them small enough to share,” said Eric Klinker, chief executive officer at BitTorrent, in a statement. “BitTorrent removes the size barrier and makes it simple for you to openly share your creations.”

“BitTorrent’s distributed technology was built to accelerate the transfer of large files,” added protocol inventor and BitTorrent Chief Scientist Bram Cohen. “Personal content channels are an ideal use case given the asymmetric nature of bandwidth and the costs of file hosting. The more friends you add to a channel, the faster your files will download. This is an emerging market and we’re excited to see the technology solve modern Internet challenges.”

Personal content channels allow people to privately send large files over the Internet to selected friends and groups of recipients. Commenting features directly in the channel encourage social interactivity.

To get started, a user selects a file and BitTorrent automatically creates a channel. Invitations may be sent directly from inside the channel via email, Facebook or Twitter. Once an invitee has accepted the invitation and joined the channel, they are able to download and comment on any posted files. Channel creators may also upload multiple files to the channel and create a theme. For example, a “soccer parent” might create a team channel and add new videos throughout the soccer season. The number of channels a person may create is virtually unlimited, enabling users to send files selectively.

The beta is English only, and is compatible with Microsoft Windows running Internet Explorer 8.

The Project Chrysalis beta is the first generation of a new BitTorrent software client, intended to eventually replace the BitTorrent Mainline product. Project Chrysalis is a key step toward fulfilling BitTorrent’s vision of an ecosystem of software, devices and content, orchestrated to simplify the digital lifestyle and enable people to find, play and move content over the Internet.