Despite the growing number of broadband connections, wide adoption of streaming video remains elusive. Calif.-based software technology firm, EdgeStream, aims to generate greater usage of streaming video and other rich media through its Video Streaming Software Platform.

Because the Internet is comprised of thousands of networks, there is often congestion when information is en route to its final destination, such as a video player on a PC or PDA. This “middle mile” congestion often stalls transfers of rich media. The Video Streaming Software Platform, which builds on EdgeStream’s proprietary Internet Congestion Breakthrough Transport technology, cuts through this congestion, allowing for buffer-free and uninterrupted content streams at a rate of 2+ megabits per second (mbps) over broadband connections.

EdgeStream preprocesses video files, enabling them to travel over networks through the company’s proprietary and client embedded Continuous Route Optimization Software, Real Time Performance Monitoring software and self-healing network architecture.

Just introduced in the U.S., the EdgeStream software has been marketed in Japan for about six months by Tokyo-based Softbank Broad Media Corp. According to Rajeev Sehgal, vice president of business development at EdgeStream, Softbank found that more consumers purchased video clips delivered through EdgeStream at 1mbps streams as compared to video offerings streamed at slower 300kbps and 500kbps rates. 

“Two-thirds of revenues came from 1 bit and higher streams,” Sehgal says.

The EdgeStream Video Streaming Software Platform supports standard video formats including Real 8 and 9, Real One, MPEG, and Windows Media 8 and 9.