Garland Partners Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of a new, H264 and WM9 low cost encoder for high quality video streaming. The new MV401EXP (encoder) and MV410EXP (decoder) systems use real-time Windows Media 9 or H264 compression technologies that allow users to transmit several times more channels over the same network or satellite bandwidth than currently used for MPEG2. This not only saves time and money but also provides greater room for future expansion of channels. It is deal for companies who are currently experiencing problems when delivering high quality video over bandwidth-constrained networks or those who want to carry out internet streaming over low bit-rate broadband lines. Its ultra slim, professional 1U box also means it can be used where space is limited.

Designed to operate using the Internet, Corporate Networks, LAN or IP-over-satellite links and based on solid-state memory embedded design, this new system from Darim consistently performs A/V encoding, streaming, reception and decoding day after day. Either WM9/VC1 or H264 (MPEG4 part 10) can be chosen for low bitrate streaming and the system is perfect for applications where the available bandwidth is between 1Mbps and 2.5Mbps per channel.

To maintain the highest quality of compressed video stream, the Darim MV401EXP encoder uses real time video filtering, adaptive noise reduction and de-interlacing hardware. The filtering greatly improves compression ratio and permits more efficient network bandwidth utilisation. It is also is equipped with professional A/V interface connectors and carries enough horsepower to encode multimedia content with several different parameters simultaneously, this makes it suitable for various types of viewers especially those using broadband and mobile applications including PC and TV playout and mobile platforms. A connection to the Windows Media Service 2003® is highly recommended for greater efficiency in advanced applications such as streaming to hundreds or thousands of Internet users.

Darim's encoders are ideally suited for the on-line sports betting market for transmission of video over broadband. By using Windows Media encoding 3 concurrent streams of differing bitrates and resolutions can be created from a signal source simultaneously. These can then be delivered live over the internet from a Windows Media server to suit the different range of broadband connection speeds and playout platforms.

The MV401EXP-H264 encodes both live H.264 video at full D1 resolution and up to 4 channels of MPEG AAC audio and live Windows Media 9 and Windows Media 9 Professiona®l video and audio. In addition, advanced profile WM9 encoding supports interlaced video when required and allows low-latency unicast and multicast IP streaming of H.264/AAC encoding unit. It further supports SDI/ SDI-embedded audio, S-video, composite and component video inputs.

In addition to the remote configuration GUI, both encoder and decoder support IPMI technology for remote monitoring of internal temperature and voltage sensors inside the box. Automatic Watchdog function ensures that a system reboots and resumes operation quickly in case of an unexpected problem. Also available are emergency system shutdown/reset functions.

For ease of use, the Dual Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports provide additional flexibility and redundancy while remote operation/configuration and status monitoring can be carried out via LAN/Internet. It has also been designed with a convenient LCD front panel with optional navigation buttons and an emergency RS2 32 console connection that can be used in case of network troubles

Along with this exciting new addition to the marketplace, GPL can also provide solutions for IP set-top boxes from Complete Media Systems and Amino.