Imagine watching a live sports event where your stream is actually faster than broadcast television. This isn't science fiction. It's the reality of Nokia's groundbreaking approach to zero-latency streaming, as revealed by Senior Product Manager Keith Chow in this illuminating deep dive.
 
  When live sporting events drive 50-70% viewer concurrency (reaching 100% during World Cup matches), traditional streaming technologies buckle under the pressure. Keith explains how Nokia's solution handles these extreme demands through a sophisticated combination of UDP protocols, multicast distribution, and what he calls "CDN in your pocket" - a tiny 200-kilobyte client library that transforms any device into a low-latency streaming machine.
 
  The technical achievements are remarkable: channel serving times as low as 19 milliseconds (compared to the industry standard 2-14 seconds), perfect synchronization across all viewers, and an astonishing resilience that maintains watchable streams even with 40% random packet loss. And these are not theoretical metrics! They're real-world results from serving millions of concurrent viewers.
 
  What sets this approach apart is its pragmatic implementation. Many network providers already have Nokia's service routers installed at the network edge, requiring only software activation to unlock these capabilities. The solution builds on established standards like RTP, IGMP, and ST2022-7 - already used by hundreds of companies - while adding proprietary optimizations that dramatically outperform WebRTC and emerging technologies like MOQ.
 
  Whether you're a streaming platform looking to deliver sports betting experiences that demand sub-second latency, a network operator trying to manage massive concurrent viewership, or a video engineer curious about next-generation distribution techniques, this episode offers rare insights into technology that's already transforming how live content reaches viewers around the world.

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Dive into the technological revolution happening in Latin American streaming as Nacho Opazo, co-founder and CTO of Zapping, breaks down how they've built one of the region's most innovative virtual TV operators from the ground up.
 
What happens when a musician who's been coding since age 11 decides to reinvent television? You get a streaming service that's one minute ahead of competitors during soccer matches, delivers superior picture quality with 40% less bandwidth, and offers an interface that starts playing content immediately upon opening the app. 
 
Unlike most streaming platforms that focus primarily on on-demand content, Zapping has carved out a successful niche by prioritizing live streaming - particularly news and sports - across Chile, Brazil, and soon Peru and Costa Rica. The secret to their success? Building every piece of their technology stack in-house, from encoding solutions to their own CDN (which Nacho claims is larger than Akamai in Chile).
 
Some of the most fascinating revelations involve Zapping's technical innovations: placing encoders directly in broadcaster headends to minimize latency, implementing HEVC to deliver better picture quality at lower bitrates, and creating AI systems that detect goals in soccer matches and automatically offer viewers replay options if they missed the action. All this while addressing the unique challenge that 80% of their viewers watch on smart TVs - many of which are several years old with suboptimal WiFi connectivity.
 
Whether you're a streaming professional looking for technical insights or simply curious about how streaming is evolving outside North America and Europe, this conversation offers a compelling look at how regional innovation is reshaping television for the streaming age. Listen in as Nacho explains why your neighbor might be screaming "GOAL!" before you see it - and how Zapping is fixing that problem.

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Ever wondered what's happening behind the scenes when you stream your favorite show? The content delivery network (CDN) industry powers much of our digital experiences yet has operated in siloed isolation for decades. In this eye-opening conversation, Mark de Jong, Chairman of the CDN Alliance and industry veteran with 25 years in online video, pulls back the curtain on this crucial but often invisible infrastructure.

Mark reveals how the CDN landscape is transforming into two distinct camps: "full-fledged" providers like Akamai that combine delivery with security and edge computing, and delivery-focused specialists like CDN77 that optimize for cost efficiency. It's a fascinating parallel to the energy industry – a commodity business where companies can still thrive through operational excellence despite selling essentially identical products.
 
The discussion goes beyond business models to explore groundbreaking initiatives addressing industry-wide challenges. TrafficRadar aims to prevent internet congestion by creating a secure framework for coordinating peak traffic events between content providers, CDNs, and ISPs. Another working group tackles the confusing world of streaming latency, where even vendors can't agree on basic terminology (is 30 seconds really "low latency"?). These efforts could transform how reliably content reaches consumers, especially during major live events.
 
We also examine the regulatory pressures facing the industry, particularly the "fair share" debate where ISPs seek to charge content providers for network traffic – a move that could ultimately increase costs for consumers. As Mark notes, most individual CDNs lack resources for effective lobbying, making industry representation increasingly important.
 
Whether you're a streaming professional, work with CDNs, or are simply curious about the infrastructure powering your digital entertainment, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of content delivery. Check out the CDN Alliance at cdnalliance.org to learn more about their efforts to connect, support, and represent this crucial industry.

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Power consumption might be the most underrated challenge facing the streaming video industry today. As Dom Robinson, founder of Greening of Streaming, reveals in this eye-opening conversation, the energy footprint of streaming video could represent 2-3% of global electricity consumption – a figure that demands attention from everyone in the ecosystem.

What began as sideline discussions among network architects has evolved into a 30-member organization tackling streaming's energy challenges systematically. Robinson walks us through the complex relationship between video quality, network architecture, and power consumption, challenging many common assumptions along the way.

Perhaps most surprising is the weak correlation between data volume and energy usage in transmission networks. "It's not as simple as reducing bitrate," Robinson explains, describing how energy efficiency requires examining the entire delivery chain. A change that saves power in one area might increase consumption elsewhere – like when a codec change forces millions of consumer devices to work harder on decoding.

The conversation explores fascinating territory, from the "gold button" concept (defaulting to energy-efficient streaming with the option to upgrade) to comparing distribution models like unicast and multicast. Robinson questions whether we need UHD for all content types and shares how Greening of Streaming is conducting rigorous research to provide evidence-based guidance rather than assumptions.

Ready to think differently about streaming's energy footprint? This conversation reveals both the challenges and opportunities in building a more sustainable streaming ecosystem – one that delivers amazing experiences without unnecessary environmental cost. Join the growing movement of companies tackling this crucial industry challenge.

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What happens when the relentless demand for video processing slams into the hard walls of data center power and space limitations? Dennis Mungai, heading R&D at Cires21, takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolution of encoding hardware that's reshaping how broadcast giants like the BBC deliver content.
 
"Density, density, density" emerges as the driving force behind Cires21's technological evolution. Starting with flexible but resource-intensive CPU-based encoding, Dennis reveals how their Madrid-based team methodically explored GPU acceleration before discovering the game-changing potential of Video Processing Units (VPUs). The conversation demystifies why purpose-built ASICs are upending conventional wisdom about the necessary tradeoffs between quality, power consumption, and channel capacity.
 
Most revealing is Cires21's extensive codec comparison study, where they tested approximately 1,500 samples across CPU, GPU, and VPU implementations. Their findings challenge long-held assumptions: NETINT's VPUs delivered visual quality comparable to software encoders but at a fraction of the power cost. Perhaps most surprising was the discovery that these specialized processors performed "extremely competitively" even at lower resolutions where traditional hardware solutions typically struggle.
 
For streaming providers facing the reality that "we have run out of power in the data center," this technological progression couldn't be more timely. The ability to fit hundreds of broadcast-quality channels into a single rack unit represents a fundamental shift in video infrastructure economics. As Dennis eloquently puts it, this evolution "is either going to find you, or you're going to find yourself buying into these solutions and you will be behind time." 

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Akamai and NETINT have joined forces to create something revolutionary in cloud video processing. The partnership brings NETINT's Video Processing Units (VPUs) to Akamai's Connected Cloud, fundamentally changing the economics and performance of cloud-based video encoding.

Sarah Walter, Product Manager at Akamai, reveals how their Connected Cloud has evolved beyond traditional CDN services to offer a complete compute continuum with three tiers: core, distributed, and edge. This architecture allows media customers to deploy infrastructure strategically, placing resource-intensive workloads in the core while positioning other components closer to end users. Unlike hyperscalers who often compete with media companies through their own content initiatives, Akamai focuses exclusively on empowering their customers' success.

The performance advantages of NETINT's Quadra T1U VPUs are nothing short of remarkable. These purpose-built ASICs for video transcoding deliver 90-95% cost savings compared to CPU-based encoding on public cloud platforms. Mark Donnigan from NETINT shares how they initially had to downplay these figures in their marketing because "no one would believe" the true performance gains. A side-by-side demonstration shows the stark difference, with VPU transcoding completing in a fraction of the time required by CPU processing.

Early customer feedback confirms these impressive results. One live streaming provider achieved 30 concurrent live streams with a VPU-accelerated instance versus just 2-4 streams on comparable CPU infrastructure. Another video platform reported 4x greater stream density compared to Akamai's high-end CPU plans, which themselves are more cost-effective than traditional public cloud options.

Starting at just $280 per month or 42 cents per hour, these VPU plans provide dedicated resources with no performance compromises. The global deployment footprint already includes Los Angeles, Miami, Frankfurt, Chennai, and Melbourne, with more locations planned based on customer demand. The solution enables true hybrid cloud implementation with identical hardware both on-premises and in the cloud.

Join Akamai and NETINT at their NAB presentations to learn more about this groundbreaking technology and how it's transforming what's possible for media companies in the cloud. Your video workflows will never be the same.

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The streaming revolution has arrived, and Dolby is at its cutting edge. In this enlightening conversation, Paul Boustead, VP of Product and Business Strategy for Dolby's Cloud Solutions Business Group, reveals how Dolby is transforming the sports viewing experience through unprecedented low latency streaming technology.

Imagine sports content delivered with less than 500 milliseconds of delay - faster than traditional broadcast in some cases. Paul explains why consistency of this low latency across all viewers is even more critical than the raw speed itself. This consistency enables truly interactive experiences where viewers aren't spoiled by social media alerts before seeing the action unfold on their screens.

The conversation dives deep into Dolby's streaming platform, built through strategic acquisitions like Theo Player and Millicast, and how they're integrating Dolby Vision to create stunning visual experiences without sacrificing speed. Paul articulates a fascinating philosophy around quality: "We want better pixels, not more pixels." This approach respects content creators' intent while delivering optimized experiences across diverse viewing devices.

For broadcasters and content providers facing infrastructure challenges, Paul shares how VPU integration is helping solve density and cooling issues for customers managing hundreds of concurrent channels. He also unpacks Dolby's innovative approach to monetization through server-guided ad insertion that maintains the viewing experience while creating new revenue opportunities.

Whether you're a sports broadcaster, streaming technologist, or content creator, you'll want to visit Dolby at NAB booth W2849 to witness these technologies firsthand, including their groundbreaking Dolby Vision integration demos. The future of streaming isn't just about speed or quality in isolation - it's about creating cohesive experiences that engage viewers in entirely new ways.

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The streaming industry is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in Europe, where data sovereignty has become a critical concern for media companies. In this enlightening conversation, Stef van der Ziel, CEO of Jet-Stream, shares how his company has adapted to these changing demands by developing both sovereign cloud services and innovative on-premises solutions.

Stef takes us through the evolution of Jet-Stream from its early days in 1994 to its current position as a provider of European sovereign cloud services and on-premises video processing systems. What's particularly fascinating is how European regulations around data privacy have created new opportunities - requiring not just European hosting, but complete European ownership and operation with no connections to entities outside the region.

The discussion reveals a surprising industry trend: after years of migration to public cloud platforms, many organizations are returning to on-premises infrastructure due to unsustainable cloud costs. "The promise of the cloud was that your internal IT operation cost would go down by half," Stef notes, "and that's not true." This economic reality has driven Jet-Stream to develop MaelStrom, an innovative "micro cloud" solution that brings cloud-like scalability and resilience to on-premises deployments.

The technical implementation details are impressive - using NETINT VPU acceleration cards in ARM-based servers, a single 500-watt machine can process up to 30 full HD channels simultaneously with complete ABR ladders. This represents a 90% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional approaches. All while maintaining high availability through containerized processing that automatically redistributes workloads if hardware fails.

Whether you're managing streaming infrastructure, concerned about data sovereignty, or looking to optimize your video processing costs, this episode offers valuable insights into how the industry is evolving to meet these challenges. Jet-Stream's approach demonstrates that with the right architecture, organizations can achieve the best of both worlds - cloud-like flexibility with the economics and control of on-premises infrastructure.

Subscribe to Voices of Video for more in-depth conversations about the technologies and trends shaping the future of video processing and delivery.

Stay tuned for more in-depth insights on video technology, trends, and practical applications. Subscribe to Voices of Video: Inside the Tech for exclusive, hands-on knowledge from the experts. For more resources, visit Voices of Video.

From the dorm rooms of a French engineering school to the control rooms of major broadcasters, Christophe Massiot's journey represents the evolution of video technology itself. In this illuminating conversation, the co-founder of VLC Media Player and creator of EasyTools reveals how a student project designed to upgrade a Token Ring network became one of the world's most downloaded applications.

Massiot takes us behind the scenes of his transition from open-source pioneer to broadcast technology innovator, sharing the moment of realization that led to EasyTools' creation: discovering that €30,000 commercial encoders were performing tasks achievable with properly configured open-source tools on hardware costing under €3,000. This revelation sparked a mission to make broadcast-quality streaming affordable and accessible through user-friendly interfaces built atop powerful open-source foundations.

What makes EasyTools unique in today's market is its modular approach - one product that can function as SRT gateway, encoder, transcoder, multiviewer, or recorder through combinable modules that eliminate the need for multiple separate appliances. Now deployed at nearly all French broadcasters and expanding internationally, EasyTools represents a paradigm shift in broadcast economics.

The conversation pivots to a game-changing integration with NETINT's Video Processing Units (VPUs) that's transforming the efficiency of professional encoding. When faced with a project requiring 100 channels with multiple renditions, traditional CPU encoding would demand ten expensive 64-core servers. With NETINT's technology, the same workload runs on a single server equipped with multiple NVMe-format VPU modules - dramatically reducing costs, power consumption, and complexity.

Don't miss the opportunity to see Easy Tools and this groundbreaking technology in action at NAB booth W3531, where Christophe and the NETINT team will demonstrate how the marriage of flexible software frameworks with powerful hardware acceleration is opening new possibilities for broadcasters worldwide.

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A groundbreaking collaboration between G&L and the European Parliament has transformed parliamentary broadcasting with a sophisticated streaming platform unlike anything seen before. Alexander Leschinsky unveils the technical marvel his team engineered to handle an extraordinary challenge: delivering 30 live channels, each with 32 audio tracks for different language interpretations, totaling nearly 1,000 simultaneous audio streams.

The architecture combines sophisticated on-premises hardware in Brussels and Strasbourg with cloud-based processing capabilities, creating a true hybrid solution that balances security with scalability. Leschinsky walks us through how they leverage NETINT VPUs for efficient video processing alongside powerful 128-core ARM CPUs that handle the massive audio transcoding workload. This split approach creates an environmentally responsible solution that meets the Parliament's non-negotiable reliability requirements.
 
Security stands as a cornerstone of this implementation, with Leschinsky detailing how G&L's ISO 27001 certified practices protect the parliamentary streams while enabling flexibility for authorized users. Parliamentary staff can now easily clip and share specific moments from lengthy sessions across social media platforms, making governmental proceedings more accessible to citizens. The system's sophisticated role-based access controls and comprehensive auditing ensure accountability while maintaining operational efficiency.
 
Perhaps most impressive is the future-proof hybrid architecture that allows identical applications to run seamlessly across on-premises hardware and Akamai's Connected Cloud. This approach eliminates geographical limitations and provides resilience against hardware availability constraints that often plague GPU-dependent workflows. If you're wrestling with complex media processing challenges that demand security, reliability, and flexibility, this episode reveals how innovative integration of specialized technologies can deliver breakthrough solutions. 

Want to learn more? Visit G&L and NETINT at NAB booth W3531 or attend the Streaming Summit, where Leschinsky will share additional insights with Akamai's Shawn Michaels and NETINT's Mark Donnigan.

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