
StarHub has installed the
Envivio Mobile TV head-end featuring the 4Caster C4 Three Screens encoder/transcoder, from
Envivio, to extend the reach of the "StarHub TV on Mobile" service to more 3G mobile customers, including those using the iPhone. The encoding solution has also enabled StarHub to further enhance the efficiency of network resources in delivering its mobile TV service, which offers 25 premium branded channels of news, lifestyle, documentary and entertainment programs.
The 4Caster C4 encoder/transcoder encodes and protects the content in multiple profiles to enable Apple's http live streaming technology. The adaptive live streaming combined with Envivio's H.264 Extreme codec enables the delivery of the best picture quality regardless of fluctuations in network bandwidth.
At the same time as it is encoding for iPhone users, the 4Caster C4 system also streams the same content directly to other 3G handsets. Advanced features such as network-aware rate control and video display aspect ratio management help to ensure the best quality of experience for customers. StarHub subscribers with a 3G device access the mobile TV channels via StarHub's mobile TV client installed on their phone or through a designated portal in their phone.
The 4Caster C4 convergence encoding platform provides video compression for all Three Screens of consumer video – TVs, PCs and mobile devices – from a single platform. Designed to enable fixed line and mobile network operators to deliver content simultaneously across the full range of consumer devices, the 4Caster C4 is able to take multiple channels of content and encode them simultaneously to deliver multiple mobile TV profiles, multiple Internet TV profiles, or SD and HD IPTV profiles.