Internet Turnaround

reKast's Internet Turnaround service converts and manages the distribution of MPEG2 broadcasts into all popular Internet video and audio formats so that they can be distributed over the Internet and viewed on the TV, PC and Mobile. reKast uses its own 3Kast transcoding product to transcode its customer's TV channel. This brings a number of significant commercial advantages and cost benefits to customers of this service as outlined below.

Channel Reception

reKast's video and audio transcoding solution is software based and runs on any cost computer running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 R2. Because the 3Kast application is remotely managed via a web-based application, customers can choose how their channel is received prior to it being converted and distributed across the Internet. Customers can opt for reKast to receive their channel from satellite in which case reKast will select one of a number of its trusted teleport partners from across the globe. Or alternatively, customers might decide to have reKast place one of its transcoding servers at their playout location in which case channel reception and conversion will take place there.

Channel Conversion - Choose from Different Format Types

reKast's Internet Distribution service supports the conversion of MPEG2 broadcasts into any of the following popular Internet formats:

Upon request, reKast is able to extend the range of formats supported as well as add Input interfaces.

Channel Conversion - Switch Formats in Real-Time

With reKast's Internet Distribution service, customers are free to choose at any moment which format their channel is converted into at no additional cost. This flexibility reflects the fact that certain video and audio formats rise and fall in popularity over time and that broadcasters need to keep up with their customers (and affiliate partners) expectations.

Channel Conversion - One to Many Capability

Should the need arise, reKast is able to increase (and decrease) in real-time, the number of Internet channels created from a single broadcast feed. As many broadcasters are starting to realize, this is particularly useful when distributing live TV on the Internet via affilliate partners. Because there is no one format for video (or audio) on the Internet, it is very likely that different affiliate partners will use different formats on their websites. Normally, to deliver the same channel in different formats to one or many customers would take a great deal of time (lost revenue) and expense because every additional format normally requires the purchase and installation of additional hardware. reKast's Internet Distribution service solves this problem by providing customers with the capability to add (and drop) the number and type of Internet TV channels delivered over the Internet in real-time.

Distribution

Another factor which sets reKast's Internet Turnaround service apart, is that it does not provide transcoding services to its customers as a way of selling expensive and often inflexible streaming services. reKast has vast experience in evaluating and selecting streaming service providers for customers and believes that for live streaming services to be cost effective, customers need to aggregate their own bandwidth usage and by doing so, directly benefit from any cost savings that might arise from the global distribution of their channel. reKast's Internet Distribution service is fully compatible with all CDN networks and can be used in combination with any dedicated or shared streaming server. As part of any engagement, reKast can provide its customers with advice on the most cost effective means of distributing their TV channel over the Internet.

Monitoring & Support

reKast manages and monitors the reception, decryption and distribution of its customer's TV and radio channels 24/7 using the latest IP-based management and monitoring techniques. Customers are given real-time access to network health, status and general reporting information. Reflecting the increasing importance of Internet based distribution of live TV to broadcasters worldwide, reKast provides an SLA of 99.98% for its Internet Distribution service,.