Adobe releases Flash Media Server 4.5

Kate O'Flaherty
09 September 2011

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SOFTWARE HOUSE Adobe has released Adobe Flash Media Server (FMS) 4.5 featuring video source delivery on Apple devices.

Along with source video delivery to Apple devices and Adobe Flash, Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 has "simple and robust" content protection workflows for HTTP streaming, live PVR/DVR support for Apple devices and Adobe Flash with Disc Management.

Other features include Studio-approved DRM with Adobe Flash Access 3, Multicast SSM and ASM, with Multicast re-broadcast, SIP Device support for communication and P2P support in Flash Media Interactive Server.

HTTP Dynamic Streaming, which was introduced last year, has been updated with new features including Protected HTTP Dynamic Streaming (PHDS) and video protection built on Adobe Flash Access (DRM) technology. With PHDS, publishers can easily encrypt delivery over HTTP, which increases capacity and quality over constrained networks.

HDS functionality now exceeds the functionality found in Adobe's traditional RTMP delivery system. To use this feature, server operators enable it in the HTTP server configuration with options to enable server wide or target just the file. Flash Access is not required and there are no DRM license servers needed. When a Flash player client requests the stream over HTTP, FMS will encrypt the fragments as they leave the server and create the required licence.

Adobe said on its blog that HTTP streaming is the focus for the release as it "will help network operators, service providers and ISPs scale to meet the demands of more video online."

It added, "Our goal at Adobe is to help broadcasters change the world through their digital experiences with video. Flash Media Server is an important part of a greater video solution to reach larger, more global audiences with technology providing consistency in a world of player and device fragmentation - this release marks a significant step forward to access more opportunities and to create these new experiences that entertain and engage audiences.

"FMS4.5 extends online delivery both through Adobe Flash Player and to the Apple device with one simple broadcast workflow and a tremendous opportunity to create something really special."

Adobe has created consistency with Adobe Flash and Adobe AIR running on more devices than any other platform. With Flash, publishers are assured that protection, transport and quality is consistent across the MAC, PC, Linux, Android and Blackberry Tablet operating systems, Adobe said.

Adobe added, "Publishers are now faced with a challenge and forced to prepare content for delivery through HTML5 to play in the Apple Safari browser or native Apps.

"Now publishers can simplify their video publishing and protection workflows with Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 with protected HLS support, audio channel extraction, DVR/PVR live, on demand and variant playlists. One set of content without any preparation or additional storage and deliver safely to both Adobe Flash with HDS and to Apple devices using HLS." µ