Adobe, thePlatform Team Up To Enhance Flash

Adobe Systems and thePlatform have announced a new alliance involving the delivery of online and mobile content with secure video management and publishing services for media publishers utilizing the Adobe Flash Platform. As part of the alliance, the companies will integrate the power of thePlatform’s mpx video management system with the Adobe Flash Platform, leveraging Adobe Flash Access software – a content protection and monetization solution for online video, HTTP Dynamic Streaming for expanded content delivery options, and a simplified video management interface providing a complete toolset to publish secure premium video online and to mobile devices.

“People are clamoring to watch content on their favorite device, whenever and wherever they want,” said Ian Blaine, chief executive officer, thePlatform. “However, media companies have to enforce content rights, business polices, and monetization models, while making it appear seamless to consumers. Adobe…will deliver a comprehensive set of tools to address the issues and opportunities facing our mutual customers.”

The top 10 video sites in the United States use Adobe Flash technology, making it the number one format for viewing video on the Web. By leveraging thePlatform’s video management system, which serves numerous media companies and five of the largest TV service providers in North America, publishers utilizing Flash Access utilize a flexible solution for protecting premium content that supports a variety of business models, including video-on-demand, subscription, electronic sell-through and rental. Integrated with HTTP dynamic streaming, this solution also enables an optimized user experience by adapting delivery to the available bandwidth.

“At Adobe, we are committed to working with partners to develop solutions that enhance video workflows across a wide range of devices and platforms,” said Pritham Shetty, vice president of video solutions, Adobe. “The alliance with thePlatform, a leading video management and publishing services provider, is consistent with our strategy of helping video professionals extend the Flash Platform and make the most of their premium content.”

For mobile publishing, the companies have collaborated to provide significant integration for users on touch screen devices. Utilizing support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1, thePlatform’s solution detects when consumers are accessing video from mobile devices running Google’s Android 2.2 “Froyo” and reconfigures thePlatform’s video player.

The joint collaboration also includes integration with thePlatform’s mpx video management and publishing system so customers can use the Open Source Media Framework (OSMF) with thePlatform’s Feeds Service to deliver video into various playback environments.

Additionally, thePlatform’s mpx video management console is built using Adobe Flash Builder 4 software and includes an Adobe AIR client for file uploads, allowing customers to upload, manage, and publish video with a simple and intuitive Web-based interface.