I am posting this article becouse it mentions ADSL and Cable modems.
In response to "Who else benefits" I think these are the guys that will benefit highly.
Realnetworks is the leader in audio/video streaming over the internet.
Check out their new partners.
Sun Microsystems and RealNetworks to Deliver Complete Streaming Media Solutions for the Internet and Corporate Intranets
Wide-Ranging Agreement Delivers Industry-Leading RealSystem 5.0 On Scalable Sun Solaris Platform
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 1998-- In a move that combines the industry's leading streaming media technology provider with the premier network computing company, RealNetworks, Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced a strategic porting and marketing agreement that will make RealNetworks' popular RealSystem(TM) 5.0 streaming media products widely available on the Sun(TM) Solaris(TM)-based Ultra(TM) desktop and Sun(TM) Enterprise(TM) server computers. This comprehensive, end-to-end solution will provide corporate intranet customers, leading media companies and commercial network service providers with a powerful yet affordable way to deliver rich streaming multimedia to their employees, customers and subscribers.
The industrial strength combination of Sun and RealNetworks technologies will support the heavy audio and video traffic needs of high-volume Web sites as well as supporting thousands of video-enabled clients on corporate intranets. In addition to providing high-quality streaming audio and video over standard 28.8 phone modems, this Sun and RealNetworks solution has the flexibility to deliver compelling near-broadcast-quality video over emerging mid and broad bandwidth technologies such as cable modems and xDSL technologies.
''With RealSystem 5.0 already in widespread use everywhere on the Web and in corporate Intranets, RealNetworks is clearly the leader in Web-based streaming media,'' said Mark Tolliver vice president of market development, Sun Microsystems. ''With this agreement, the RealSystem 5.0 suite will be tuned to deliver optimal performance on the Sun platform and our two companies will work closely together to co-market this advanced solution to our respective customers.''
''Leading companies in the entertainment, broadcasting, web hosting and corporate markets will benefit from Sun's powerful Solaris platform, which will raise RealSystem 5.0 to a new level of performance and continue our commitment to broad platform support,'' said Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO of RealNetworks. ''Optimizing RealSystem 5.0 on Sun's robust Solaris platform provides us with a streaming media system with unmatched scalability, reliability and capacity to support high volumes of users.''
Companies Building Solutions With Sun and RealNetworks
''RealNetworks and Sun allow us to provide extremely scaleable, high quality video to our MediaOne Express cable modem customers, while simultaneously delivering industry-leading low bit-rate video to general Internet users,'' said Kip Compton, director of internet systems and services, MediaOne. ''Together with our partner New England Cable News, we use Sun Enterprise 450 servers running Solaris along with RealNetworks' RealMedia Server software to deliver up to the minute news-on-demand to Internet users throughout New England.''
''As a leading Internet-based sports media company focused on interactive programming, CBS SportsLine is excited to see Sun Microsystems and RealNetworks join together to provide media companies scalable, cost-effective solutions,'' said Kenneth Dotson, VP Marketing, SportsLine USA, Inc. [Nasdaq:SPLN - news], publisher of CBS SportsLine. ''Companies that rely on streaming media as their core business need optimized solutions to scale with the heavy volume of Internet users who are increasingly tuning into online events such as the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.''
Agreement Includes Software Port and Co-Marketing
The agreement calls for RealNetworks, along with Sun's support and resourcing, to optimize RealServer 5.0 for Solaris 2.6 (Sun's industry-leading version of the UNIX(R) environment) and to port two other components - RealNetworks RealEncoder(TM) and RealPlayer(TM) -- to the Solaris operating environment. Running on Sun's new family of PCI-bus platforms, RealEncoder can be used with products such as Virage's Video Cataloger to provide advanced encoding, cataloging and indexing of video streams for broadcasters, their affiliates, media companies and other companies requiring video management solutions. The RealPlayer port will support the playback of RealVideo(R) and RealAudio(R) on Solaris-based systems.
RealNetworks, with the support of Sun, also plans to develop a Java media framewark-based RealPlayer to support cross-platform playback of RealVideo and RealAudio without having to download plug-ins. Shipped in November, RealSystem 5.0 is a client/server streaming media system that includes RealPlayers, RealServers and publishing tools. RealSystem 5.0 provides a suite of high-quality products for viewing and delivering real-time multimedia (video, audio and animation) over the Internet and corporate intranets. Improvements in version 5.0 include superior audio quality (near-CD quality over 28.8 modems), full-screen video at 100 - 300 kbps, animation synchronized with RealAudio and new commerce features such as advertising insertion, pay-per-view and secure user authentication.
In the last three months since RealSystem 5.0 shipped, the total number of Internet Web pages with streaming media has increased by more than 70%, and more than 85% of these pages use RealAudio, RealVideo or RealFlash, co-developed by RealNetworks and Macromedia. Consumers have been downloading RealPlayer 5.0 at an average rate of more than 600,000 units per week, bringing the total number of RealPlayers downloaded to more than 35 million.
More information, pricing and availability on RealSystem 5.0 and Sun systems can be found at www.real.com/products or www.sun.com/media.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, (NASDAQ:RNWK - news), formerly Progressive Networks, based in Seattle, WA, is the recognized leader in the streaming media market. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks can be found on the World Wide Web at www.real.com.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, ''The Network Is The Computer(TM),'' has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW - news), to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $9 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Solaris, Ultra, Enterprise and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd.
RealAudio, RealVideo, RealNetworks, are trademarks or registered trademark of RealNetworks, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape Navigator or Sun's HotJava. Type sun.com at the URL prompt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
