We tested custom content delivery. The other vendors are reliant on player version or bandwidth settings. RealNetworks is unique in that it can also deliver Windows Media or QuickTime content in addition to its own native format. None of the other products stream commercial competitors' formats.
However, we've also noticed that many organizations want to standardize on one format for simplicity. If you're set on offering multiple formats, RealNetworks offers the advantage of using one streaming server instead of three. If you want to offer multiformat delivery to users, paying for Helix Mobile Server may be better than setting up QuickTime and Windows Media servers.
Finally, Apple's and Microsoft's products are essentially free. We used QuickTime Pro for encoding the video, which costs just $30. Windows Media Server is included with Windows 2003 Server and isn't available as a standalone product. Some would argue this doesn't fit the definition of "no cost," which can be valid reasoning depending on your Microsoft volume license agreements. Flash and Helix both involve writing large checks, based on the number of simultaneous streams you want.
Streaming media offers benefits and frustrations. Users sometimes prefer downloaded data, as it allows for offline viewing and a higher-quality presentation. This comes at the expense of higher CPU requirements for the server, due to HTTP and TCP protocol overhead, potentially higher-bandwidth needs and more difficulty jumping ahead in long presentations. The rise of podcasts has overshadowed streaming audio, and video podcasts are just starting out.
Whether users will prefer downloadable video over streaming remains to be seen. Fortunately, streaming servers are simple to set up, reasonably inexpensive, and the data files can be offered for both mechanisms.
Subsea cable alternatives can provide a level of comfort for those concerned about disruptions. Realistically, they will continue to play a small, but critical role in the short term.
Maintaining existing network infrastructures often incurs huge technical debt before newer technologies are adopted over time.
Amid ongoing regional uncertainties, telecom infrastructure in the Middle East has expand to include terrestrial low-latency network infrastructure, which offers resilience and agility in navigating political complexities without relying solely on undersea networks.
