Time Warner Cable Plans Two Video-on-demand Tests
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 1999
Austin and Tampa Bay Will be First Test Sites for Equipment From
SeaChange and Concurrent
Austin, Texas and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, have been chosen as the first two locations where Time Warner Cable will test video-on-demand equipment that will allow customers to
instantly call up digital movies, with features like fast-forward, rewind and pause. Equipment from Concurrent Computer Corp. will be tested in Tampa, while a system from SeaChange
International has been selected for the Austin test. Preliminary engineering tests are expected to begin late this summer, with the service becoming available to customers later this year or
early next year.
``Our experience at the Full Service Network in Orlando made us a strong believer in the future of video-on-demand,' said Rick Davies, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, of
Time Warner Cable. ``We're very pleased that the digital television project that evolved from the FSN has now reached the point where we can begin testing deployable VOD technology
from multiple vendors. We look forward to working with SeaChange and Concurrent to test their equipment in our rebuilt cable systems, and prepare for a national rollout. We're
confident that video-on-demand will take its place along with Road Runner as an important new digital business.'
E. Courtney Siegel, Chairman, President and CEO of Concurrent Computer, said: ``By using the MediaHawk video-on-demand system in the Tampa Bay area, Time Warner Cable is
placing itself in the forefront of video technology. We look forward to working closely with Time Warner Cable to a successful implementation in Tampa, and to future deployments.'
Bill Styslinger, President and CEO of SeaChange International, said: ``As a technology partner, we've helped Time Warner Cable put thousands of channels on air for digital delivery of
commercials and programs. Now we're providing reliable technology and high-quality service that will allow Time Warner to take full control of the residential video-on-demand business
opportunity. Soon, cable viewers in Austin will witness the fulfillment of the vision of interactive personal television.'
SeaChange's Interactive Television System, which will be installed in Austin, and Concurrent's MediaHawk Video-on-Demand System, to be used in Tampa Bay, are scalable networks of
video servers and specialized software applications. SeaChange's fault tolerant, end-to-end system includes its patented MediaCluster technology, which enables its video servers to
scale economically to support large populations. Concurrent's system is based on its MediaHawk Video Server, and also is a scalable, fully integrated, end-to-end VOD solution. Both
technologies include complete system management and control capabilities.
Time Warner Cable owns and manages the world?s most advanced, best clustered cable television operations, with 80 percent of its 12.9 million customers in systems serving 100,000
customers or more. It is a unit of Time Warner Entertainment.
Concurrent Computer Corporation, (NASDAQ:CCUR - news; ccur.com), is a leading supplier in the emerging digital video server marketplace. This market includes the
residential entertainment, corporate training, education, hospitality, and in-flight entertainment industries. Operating in 32 countries worldwide, Concurrent provides sales and support
from offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Serving approximately 23,000 television channels for broadcast and cable television companies worldwide, SeaChange International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEAC - news;
schange.com) is the leading provider of MPEG-2 digital video systems. SeaChange's products, incorporating the Company's patented software and hardware technologies,
automate the management and distribution of video streams including advertisements, movies, news and other broadcast-quality video programming requiring precise execution.
Founded in 1993, SeaChange is headquartered in Maynard, Mass.
biz.yahoo.com |
