Video Furnace is officially releasing its network-based IP Video System for the enterprise market. Headquartered in Libertyville, Ill., the IP video software engineering and systems application company claims to be the first to offer a network or Internet2-based system that delivers live, TV-quality audio and video to any network-connected devices such as desktop or notebook computers. The product is not Internet- or browser-based and does not require plug-ins, player software or hardware.

The Video Furnace IP Video System, which functions on all operating systems, digitally encodes, encrypts and multicasts analog or digital video and audio for delivery at speeds comparable to cable TV transmissions over any IP-based high-speed network to IP-enabled devices. Data can be stored on the server at the same time. A small client viewing application, the InStream Player, resides temporarily on client devices and can be enabled within Windows, Mac and Linux environments.

The IP Video System has been used by Northwestern University to allow access to cable channels relayed by a local cable operator, and encoded for digital distribution by the school’s video server.

Video Furnace plans to offer the system to financial services firms, government agencies and hospitals, in addition to the enterprise and education markets. Applications include corporate communications, instructional services and delivery of classified video information.