SkyStream announced Aztech Arizona LLC has chosen SkyStream's Mediaplex-20 video headend to provide MPEG-4 AVC encoding and transcoding for the largest operational MPEG-4 deployment in the U.S., as measured by subscriber count and channels offered.

Aztech, a North American builder of fiber optic communities, selected SkyStream in part for its transcoder -- a first-of-its-kind product that converts MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC in a single step. In the initial phase of its deployment, Aztech will deliver 150 video channels via fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) to 20,000 homes in the El Rio development of Arizona's Mohave Valley.

As one of the world's first operators to build an end-to-end MPEG-4 network, Aztech will supply MPEG-4 video content through fiber lines to both residential and commercial subscribers using SkyStream's Mediaplex. SkyStream's video headend platform delivers high-quality IPTV services over any last-mile network, including FTTH, ADSL and CATV.

With more than 90 percent of today's digital content only available in MPEG-2, SkyStream's transcoding capability allows television operators to take advantage of the compression efficiency and minimal bandwidth consumption of MPEG-4 technology. By cost-effectively and reliably turning MPEG-2 video content into low bit-rate MPEG-4 through an all-digital conversion process, television operators can distribute bandwidth-intensive services like IPTV and VoD to their subscriber bases.

"Our advanced, end-to-end MPEG-4 network allowed us to offer subscribers the latest video services, but the lack of available MPEG-4 content made it difficult to fully take advantage of the benefits of MPEG-4," said David Nelson, president of Aztech. "With SkyStream's transcoding capability, we can easily convert MPEG-2 content into MPEG-4 without sacrificing picture quality or reliability. We capitalize on MPEG-4's bandwidth savings and our subscribers receive high-quality video offerings. It's a win-win situation."

SkyStream's Mediaplex also offers compact broadcast-quality MPEG-4 encoders. By holding 48 encoders in a single chassis, SkyStream's Mediaplex supports real-time, high-density encoding and integrates a broad array of video functions that reduce power requirements and rack space.

"Aztech's deployment demonstrates the growing momentum around MPEG-4 compression technology for the delivery of advanced video services," said Andy Lovit, vice president of worldwide field operations at SkyStream. "This new customer marks SkyStream's popularity among television operators for IP delivery over all last mile networks, from FTTH to ADSL 2+."

SkyStream continues to experience strong growth for its MPEG-4 solutions, with more than 25 worldwide MPEG-4 customers, including Aztech. For additional details on SkyStream's MPEG-4 products, please contact info@skystream.com or +1 (408) 616-3300.