The
Challenge
In the mid-1990s, more than 100 million people worldwide were connected to networks via personal computers (PCs). Content providers wanted to include high-speed video clips on their web pages, but bottlenecks in the network precluded this feature.They looked to the emerging technology of digital video compression software (codec), which condenses large amounts of data in images and then reconstitutes the images at the receiver’s end, making high-quality video transmission practical over networks. Of the two categories of experimental techniques, one resulted in loss of data, while the other made files longer. |
Technical
and Economic Impacts
Cubic VideoComm developed a new concept that offered superior compression and wrote and tested algorithms and techniques that send high-quality images almost instantly to PCs, including those in remote locations. The technology overcame the problems of lost or missent data and long files. It provided the basis for several commercial products developed by cVideo, a spinoff company established in 1999: a web video-streaming software package; a video electronic mail system; and a surveillance system, with many customized applications. About 7,500 facilities nationwide are using the surveillance technology, which can send images from 16 cameras to a PC, with simultaneous playback and images stored indefinitely on a hard drive. The system improves on videotape security by offering better image quality, access to images, and archiving.
As a result of the ATP-funded project, the company:
- Developed a technique and product based on digital video compression for transmitting high-quality downloadable video images live over networks
- Achieved the highest compression rate in the industry, up to 10 times more powerful than the state of the art
- Received an award from the San Diego Police Department for enhancing security at the 2003 Super Bowl
- Received an award from Deloitte Touche in 2004 as the 9th fastest growing technology company in San Diego and the 177th in North America
- Patented its adaptive digital video compression system and web streaming method
By developing the technology to send high-quality digital images over the Internet, live digital surveillance from PCs became possible, enhancing security at schools, electronic-commerce equipment sites, public transportation sites, and other locations. cVideo’s system eliminates the problem of changing videotapes frequently, as well as the time delays and personnel costs associated with locating and shipping taped incidents to headquarters for review. The technology would not have been developed without ATP funding, company officials say.
Late in 2005, SYS Technologies acquired cVideo in a friendly takeover and has integrated it into its Public Safety, Security and Industrial Solutions Group.
Date created: July 19, 2006
Last updated:
December 7, 2006
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