Adobe announces the release of Flash Media Server 3.5

At the Adobe MAX 2008 conference, Adobe announced new versions of Flash Media Interactive Server and Flash Media Streaming Server. Early 2009 will see the release of 3.5 versions of both servers, which feature dynamic streaming for uninterrupted media playback, as well as better support for the MPEG-4 AVC video standard – H.264 – and high efficiency audio AAC (HE-AAC).

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The company is clearly focusing on delivering high resolution video content; Adobe showcases some examples under its StreamFlashHD website. It will also be possible to interrupt live streams and perform searches. In addition, Adobe promises better encryption to protect content using the Flash Media Rights Management Server. This feature allows rights administration servers to stream encrypted content with RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol) and an integrated Web server.

With Flash Media Streaming Server, users can set up their own streaming servers or transfer content to a content delivery network operated by a registered member of the Flash Video Streaming Service (FVSS). Flash Media Interactive Server 3.5 also has video recorder functions, multipoint publishing, live stream interruption and search, as well as news integration.

According to Adobe, Flash Media Streaming Server 3.5 will cost from £981.12; an upgrade from the 3.0 full version will cost £252.62. Flash Media Interactive Server will cost from £4440.32; an upgrade will cost from £346.62.

Flash video has cornered the streaming video market, formerly dominated by Microsoft – Windows Media, Apple – QuickTime and RealNetworks – RealMedia. According to Adobe, 81 per cent of all Web videos available worldwide are viewed using the Flash Player, which is installed on 98 per cent of all internet PCs and a growing number of mobile devices, with the significant exception of the iPhone. While this claim is technically correct in fact the situation is somewhat more complicated.

(lghp)