WCVB-TV graciously provided their Studio B and related A/V support facilities for an audience of about 35 SMPTE members and attendees.

Through the talents and skills of Section Manager Robin Shahid and Section Chairman Marty Feldman, the entire meeting was streamed live. This was a first for the New England Section of SMPTE. The title of the evening events was: 'Digital Streaming Technologies'

The first was William Steele, the Chairman & CEO of KenCast, Inc. Mr. Steele demonstrated and discussed the KenCast content delivery solutions which included wireless mobile solutions for live streaming video coverage of events from the field using bonded IP networks, acceleration, and error correction.

Prior to founding KenCast, Mr. Steele was associated with GTE Corporation as General Manager of the GTE ImageSpan company within GTE Spacenet, Vice President of Marketing at the Microband subsidiary of McDonnell- Douglas, and Sales Manager at the American Satellite Corporation division of Fairchild. Mr. Steele has served as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Villanova University and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University. The presentation sparked questions and active interest from the attendees.

Link for KenCast: http://www.kencast.com/solutions/livestreamingcoverage

The second portion of the events featured David Robertson, Vice President of Sales, TVU Networks based in New York City. Mr. Robertson explained how TVU Networks has become a technology leader in sending live TV over Internet. A demonstration of The TVU Pack was provided. This device is an ultra-portable electronic news-gathering device, weighing only 13 pounds. The TVU Pack uses multiple wireless data cards to provide a live video feed of up to HD quality back to the newsgathering facility. The presentation and discussion with the attendees was robust.

Dave started his career in television, at Cox Broadcasting and then ABC, before joining Turner Broadcasting as VP Sponsorship Sales Turner Sports where he was responsible for all sponsorship revenues, and later VP of Sales CNN Interactive. David is a graduate of Northwestern University with a BA in Communication.

TVU link: http://pages.tvunetworks.com/products/tvupack/index.html

The third and final segment was presented by Rich Mavrogeanes, President & CTO of Discover Video, LLC.

The Discover Video presentation provided an thorough overview and demonstration of multiple aspects of live and on-demand video delivery. Rich discussed the basics of network requirements, the selection of compression technologies, and covered the content chain from creation to distribution to consumption.

Rich discussed live transcoding in some detail, illustrating how delivery of multiple formats and multiple rates to multiple screens (Computer, Smartphone, TV). Live mobile broadcasting carrying live video from remote locations to a studio was discussed and demonstrated over cellular networks.

Rich writes a monthly column for Streaming Media magazine ("Rich's Media"), and writes for other top industry journals.

Special thanks to Section Manager Robin Shahid for coordinating this special meeting as well as conducting the Live Stream at the same time. Thanks also to Section Manager Kevin Lessard and Chairman Marty Feldman for their assistance and support.

A very special thanks to Section Manager Dave Beauvais and the WCVB-TV Community for their kindness in providing a superior meeting venue and kind hospitality.

Paul R. Beck
SMPTE/New England Section