With the Internet now connecting the TV, PC, and mobile devices, it is now possible to deliver high-quality content across multiple screens. This new interconnectivity is generating huge increases in the consumption of web-based video — a full quarter of all broadband consumers are already keen to get access to mainstream video on all their screens, according to The Diffusion Group.

In a research report released today, SeaWell Networks and The Diffusion Group examine the rising costs and challenges facing content providers as they attempt to meet the growing appetite for video on multiple screens including:

1. Increasing storage costs: the more versions, or video profiles, the more expensive to store.
2. Increasing management overhead; More files mean more complex workflows to handle the different versions of the same file and higher costs to create all the assets.

Learn more about how SeaWell Networks’ Scalable Video Coding solutions are directly addressing these issues and discover what the future of video delivery looks like.

The whitepaper is available immediately by visiting www.asktdg.com or  www.seawellnetworks.com.

Andy Beach Talks H.264 SVC

Listen as Andy and the other guests speak on a variety of topics including the involvement of Flash with the recently announced Google TV, Apple’s response, or lack thereof, how Google is becoming a big part of the Internet video infrastructure, and how this and recent developments in the Android mobile operating system  present a solid challenge to Apple.

Other topics include Hulu sticking with the Flash format and how Facebook is addressing recent privacy concerns.

The entire podcast can be heard at www.pixelcorps.tv/twim_185

Toronto, Canada – May 11, 2010 — SeaWell Networks, Inc., an emerging provider of Internet video distribution products, announced today the release of the Lumen 1000, an advanced H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) turnkey appliance for creating video content for multi-platform distribution and advanced adaptive streaming. SVC was ratified as an extension to the popular H.264 standard and makes it easy for content owners to offer adaptive distribution of multiple streams to a range of target platforms. The first encoding solution for IP video streaming leveraging SVC, SeaWell’s Lumen 1000 emerges as an innovative solution for video preparation that combines striking video quality, simplicity, and versatility.

“With the rise in demand for premium content to be available across multiple platforms, the industry needs an approach that can efficiently target appropriate quality to a range of devices with a wide variety of computing capabilities, and be able to adapt smoothly to variable network conditions,” said Glenn Goldstein, vice president media technology strategy, MTV Networks. “SVC’s scalable single-encode approach looks promising for addressing these problems in a more efficient manner than the current multi-bitrate multi-encode technique used by much of the industry.”

“SVC can offer significant savings over existing technologies by managing complexity and cost,” said Colin Dixon, senior partner at The Diffusion Group. “Now a single stream can be produced that is easier to create, manage, and store and is optimized for a wider variety of devices and connection speeds.”

SeaWell Networks’ solution ensures that all consumers enjoy the highest-quality video streaming experience by switching seamlessly between multiple streams, optimizing the available bandwidth and device performance at any given moment. The video stream is automatically delivered to the end user without stuttering, dropped frames or buffering.

“We’re extremely excited to be launching the first SVC video streaming solution,” said SeaWell Network’s chief evangelist, Andy Beach. “We believe the Lumen 1000 holds the key to simplifying workflow and processes for media and entertainment companies faced with managing and distributing more and more content over a myriad of network connections. Now you really can do more with less.”

For more information about SeaWell Networks and the Lumen 1000 encoding solution, please visit www.seawellnetworks.com.

About SeaWell Networks

SeaWell Networks Inc. is a provider of Internet video delivery products designed for use by content producers and their content delivery partner organizations. SeaWell combines video compression standards and network level intelligence to uniquely create and deliver a high-quality viewing experience online while significantly reducing the cost of distribution. For more information see http://www.seawellnetworks.com

Parrish and Burke bring years of experience in digital media management, content distribution and Internet marketing to expanding the leadership team

Toronto, Canada – April 7, 2010 — SeaWell Networks, Inc., an emerging provider of Internet video distribution products, announced today that Douglas Parrish and Charlotte Burke have joined their board of directors.

Parrish currently serves as the executive vice president of global operations at Ascent Media Group, a provider of creative, technical and content distribution services to the media and entertainment industries. He is responsible for leading Ascent’s core media management operations and content distribution services.

Prior to Ascent Media, Parrish served as senior vice president, operations and development at Move Networks, an early leader in the Internet video streaming technology with its proprietary adaptive bit-rate protocol. Parrish also served as executive vice president and chief technology officer at the Walt Disney Internet Group, and divisional chief information officer at Polaroid Corporation.

Burke currently serves as an entrepreneur in residence within the information and communications sector of BDC Venture Capital. Burke brings over 25 years of operational and marketing expertise in commercializing new technology and driving business expansion within the high tech sector.

Prior to BDC, Burke served as senior vice president and business unit leader of Bell Canada’s consumer Internet group, responsible for marketing, sales channels, product development and all aspects of operations. Burke also served as vice president of product marketing of Bell Mobility and lead Bell through three major technology transformations; the launch of digital cellular, wireless data services and the roll out of residential broadband. Previously, Burke served as senior general manager of consumer electronics at Sony Canada and national sales manager at Compaq Canada.

As members of the board, Parrish and Burke will work closely with the leadership team as they execute SeaWell Networks’ strategy to deliver the next generation of video streaming solutions. Combining striking video quality, simplicity, and versatility, SeaWell is developing a new way to deliver a rich media experience to consumers on their television, personal computer and mobile devices.

“SeaWell’s game-changing technology uses the efficiencies and capabilities of the Internet to give consumers a real television experience when and where they want it,” said Mr. Parrish. “Given the sweeping changes across the media landscape, the opportunity for SeaWell is immense and I am very excited to work with the board and the senior management team to help drive SeaWell’s strategy forward.”

“With the explosion in video consumption across the Internet, content owners are looking for solutions to simplify and improve content delivery across multiple platforms,” said Ms. Burke. “I am pleased to be working with SeaWell’s team as they provide the digital media industry with products to transform content distribution.”

“We’re extremely pleased to have Douglas and Charlotte join our board of directors, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge in digital media management and distribution and Internet marketing” said Brian Collie, CEO for SeaWell Networks. “Their pioneering experience and achievements in the digital media industry will help move SeaWell to the forefront of Internet video streaming and distribution.”

About SeaWell Networks
SeaWell Networks Inc. is a provider of Internet video delivery products designed for use by content producers and their content delivery partner organizations. SeaWell combines video compression standards and network level intelligence to uniquely create and deliver a high-quality viewing experience online while significantly reducing the cost of distribution. For more information see www.seawellnetworks.com.

Contact:
Mary Kay Crocker
For SeaWell Networks
(801) 592-5575
marykay@radi8creative.com

Toronto, Canada – March 08, 2010 — SeaWell Networks Inc., an emerging provider of Internet video distribution products, today announced that it has secured a $7 million Series A round of investment, including the conversion of seed funding. Led by BDC Venture Capital, the round also included Northwater Intellectual Property Fund and Ontario Centres of Excellence. SeaWell will use the funds to expand development and marketing efforts of their Internet video streaming solutions that will redefine how video content is delivered over the Internet.

Founded in 2008, SeaWell Networks has assembled a strong team with previous start-up success in networking, Internet video and mobile industries to develop next-generation solutions for the ever-growing online video streaming market. Consumers are embracing a growing array of video options. Today’s empowered consumers demand their choice of display device, content, timing and location. Year-over-year, unique viewers, total video streams, streams per viewer and time per viewer continue to increase at record levels. Streaming video and audio now account for roughly 27 percent of global Internet traffic, according to the top ISPs worldwide, and is expected to grow to over 60 percent by 2013.

The desired consumption of high-quality media over PCs, high-definition TV and mobile devices has generated huge increases in the volume of online traffic that must be delivered by media publishers and content distributors.  To date these organizations have been forced to over-provision their existing delivery networks in an attempt to address the quality and scalability challenges created by this surge in media traffic.  Leveraging video compression standard, H.264 scalable video coding (SVC), SeaWell is currently developing a solution that not only enables a TV-like viewing experience but also significantly reduces the cost of delivering content.

“Given the expertise and the large number of investments in the information and communications technology sectors, BDC was able to recognize the value proposition of SeaWell’s SVC-based technology platform”, said Nazmin Alani, Managing Director BDC Venture Capital, who joins the SeaWell’s board of directors. “We believe SeaWell’s technology, which is more scalable and cost effective than existing technology, will fill a need in the marketplace and position the company for future growth.” Prior to BDC, Mr. Alani served as VP, Consulting with Gartner, a leading IT research and advisory company and held various positions in leading mobile and satellite communications organizations.

“SeaWell’s technology is a game-changing innovation that allows video providers to create Internet-ready video content and deliver it to any screen or device in HD quality full-screen resolution or in lower resolutions for low bandwidth mobile devices,” said Northwater Vice President and current SeaWell director, Andrew Harrison. “SeaWell will create a superior experience for the viewer on a platform that is more flexible and infinitely more scalable. SeaWell has the three key ingredients for success that Northwater looks for – a world-class team of proven entrepreneurs, an innovative solution and a large market opportunity with a highly compelling value proposition. We look forward to continued work with the team to establish SeaWell as the new standard for online media streaming.”

“We are pleased to be working with this group of experienced investors and look forward to leveraging their expertise and networks,” said Brian Collie, CEO and co-founder, SeaWell Networks. “Our ability to complete this investment in the current economic environment underscores the immediate value we are delivering to customers and partners.”

About SeaWell Networks
SeaWell Networks Inc. is a provider of Internet video delivery products designed for use by content producers and their content delivery partner organizations. SeaWell leverages video compression standard, H.264 scalable video coding (SVC), to uniquely create and deliver a high-quality viewing experience online while significantly reducing the cost of delivery. For more information see www.seawellnetworks.com.

About BDC Venture Capital
BDC Venture Capital has been involved in venture capital since 1975 and is a major venture capital investor in Canada. Active at every stage of the company’s development cycle, from seed through expansion, BDC Venture Capital focuses on technology-based businesses that have high growth potential and that are positioned to become dominant players in their markets. To date, it has invested in more than 400 companies with investments totaling over $1.16 billion in the life sciences, telecommunications, information and advanced technology sectors, as well as commitments of $253 million in 19 funds. Visit www.bdc.ca for more information.

About Northwater Intellectual Property Fund LP 2
Northwater Intellectual Property Fund LP 2 is managed by Northwater Capital Management Inc., a leading, privately held, investment management company. With offices in Toronto, New York and Chicago, Northwater focuses on investments in intellectual property and intellectual property rich companies. Investee companies typically have compounding business models with elements of licensing, royalties and/or subscriptions to achieve scale. The fund is diversified across industry sectors, geographies and the capital structure. The fund’s objective is to combine leading intellectual property, compounding business models and world-class management to generate exits and excess returns. For more information please see www.northwatercapital.com.

About Ontario Centres of Excellence
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario’s global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario’s industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and governments. OCE’s Centres work in communications and information technology, earth and environmental technologies, energy, materials and manufacturing and photonics. OCE is funded by the government of Ontario and is a key partner in delivering Ontario’s Innovation Agenda. OCE through its Centre for Commercialization of Research (CCR), an initiative supported by the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada, also acts as a catalyst which allows innovative businesses to grow and achieve sustainable, commercial success and global competitiveness. For more information see www.oce-ontario.org.

Contact:
Mary Kay Crocker
For SeaWell Networks
(801) 592-5575
marykay@radi8creative.com

Video is everywhere these days. On televisions, desktops, laptops, smart phones and other mobile devices. It has to be there when viewers want it, where they want it. And while the demand is great, encoding to all those different formats has caused headaches. SeaWell technology will allow one encode to deliver your video to all screens.