— Harmonic now is offering predefined transcoding presets for its…
— Harmonic now is offering predefined transcoding presets for its ProMedia Carbon file-based transcoder that turns video and audio content into media formats optimized for Netflix. Powered by Harmonic’s Rhozet technology, ProMedia Carbon converts media content into acquisition, editing, broadcast, Web and mobile formats. The predefined transcoding presets designed specifically for Netflix include SD/HD and MPEG-2 I-Frame video formats at various frame rates as well as stereo and 5.1 surround-sound audio. ProMedia Carbon also handles such critical operations as PAL/NTSC conversion, logo insertion, color space conversion, color correction and closed-captions extraction.
— By October, CenturyLink plans to connect 48,000 Omaha homes and businesses with its new high-speed broadband fiber network pilot it claims will deliver 1 Gbps. The carrier will begin rolling out its service next week. If this pilot proves to be successful (i.e., positive community support, competitive parity in the marketplace and a reasonable ROI), CenturyLink could fulfill consumers’ need for speed in other of its markets. “This January, I called on providers and community leaders to establish gigabit communities nationwide,” commented FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “Today’s announcement that CenturyLink will bring gigabit service to Omaha makes it the latest in a series of communities, including Austin, Chattanooga, Kansas City, Lafayette and Provo, to move us closer to meeting that challenge."
— 325 Hudson, a carrier-neutral core interconnection facility in New York City is teaming with NexxCom Wireless for what they say is the first managed wireless Meet Me Room (MMR) that will operate from the 325 Hudson rooftop. According to NexxCom, the wireless MMR’s design “is able to minimize frequency interference, maximize roof space and optimize customer ease of wireless connections while creating the highest capacity, highest availability and lowest latency connections across Manhattan, northern New Jersey and beyond.” The MMR reportedly will boost connectivity to subsea cables, and to New Jersey data centers and exchanges. It also will provide access to long-haul fiber and wireless networks to Chicago and additional western points.