AOL aims to supercharge streaming

Zardon · Jun 27, 2002, 12:31 PM

AOL Time Warner is quietly developing technology that could dramatically cut the costs of audio and video broadcasts on the Internet, according to sources familiar with the effort.
AOL Time Warner declined to comment on the technology, code-named Ultravox. But one source familiar with the technology said it aims to create supercharged network routers capable of moving large media files far more efficiently than is possible with current Internet technology.

"Ultravox is a combo of (file) formats and switching hardware that supports them," this source said. "It allows for 10,000 users to be supported out of a cheap switch, versus 1,000 users on an expensive Sun (Microsystems) box or 100 users on a (Microsoft Windows) NT box." For now, AOL Time Warner has relied on technology from RealNetworks to push such offerings within its proprietary America Online service. But the Ultravox project suggests the company may be positioning itself to become more self-sufficient on the multimedia front.

Jun 27, 2002, 12:31 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	AOL aims to supercharge streaming AOL Time Warner is quietly developing technology that could dramatically cut the costs of audio and video broadcasts on the Internet, according to sources familiar with the effort. AOL Time Warner declined to comment on the technology, code-named Ultravox. But one source familiar with the technology said it aims to create supercharged network routers capable of moving large media files far more efficiently than is possible with current Internet technology. "Ultravox is a combo of (file) formats and switching hardware that supports them," this source said. "It allows for 10,000 users to be supported out of a cheap switch, versus 1,000 users on an expensive Sun (Microsystems) box or 100 users on a (Microsoft Windows) NT box." For now, AOL Time Warner has relied on technology from RealNetworks to push such offerings within its proprietary America Online service. But the Ultravox project suggests the company may be positioning itself to become more self-sufficient on the multimedia front.