How BT helped Forbidden Technologies make an idea into a reality

Since he joined Forbidden Technologies, video compression specialists, in 2001, as business development director, Greg Hirst has been acutely aware of the business opportunities for live video streaming on the internet. He had already outlined the technology and business applications in his mind; all that was missing was the necessary internet solution.

Therefore, when BT approached Forbidden Technologies last November to take part in trials of its new business broadband service, Hirst had no hesitation in accepting. He recognised that this could be the technology he had been waiting for to realise his ambitions.

BT's Business Broadband Advanced service, which was launched officially in the UK earlier this year, is based on SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology. It allows data to be sent over copper lines at up to eight times the speed of other technology such as ADSL.

"Without BT's new high speed internet service we would be unable to offer the quality of video streaming now available," explains Hirst. "We already have a number of production companies using the new technology and this is only the beginning. We are also targeting the owners of venues, particularly hotels, to educate them on the possibilities of internet based cameras, for example offering them the ability to stream high quality video over the web as part of their conference packages."

The key to making live video streaming work lies in the two-way processing capabilities of Business Broadband Advanced. Previously, video could be downloaded from the internet in real time but uploading the source material to an internet location would be far slower, causing time delays in live feeds. Footage from a remote security camera using Business Broadband Advanced can now be viewed virtually as it is recorded, from any location.

Forbidden Technologies currently demonstrates just such a security camera style application on its website. Visitors to www.forbidden.co.uk can choose from a variety of live 'demos' including a fixed camera streaming live footage of Wimbledon high street. Such a device could be used in the same way as existing CCTV cameras without the need for footage to be monitored from a single location, bringing considerable cost savings.

"We're very excited by the possibilities of this service," said Hirst. "It is a true market enabler which will drive changes across all industries over the next few years. Very soon, 'attending' company AGMs, conferences and even major events live on the internet will be a regular occurrence."

One company using Forbidden's video streaming technology in just this way is Travel Media Solutions (TMS). The company recently produced a live web cast from the industry's 'Travelmole' conference, allowing key debates and presentations to reach a far wider audience.

Whilst laying the foundations for the explosion of live video applications, Forbidden has been putting Business Broadband Advanced to good use in other areas of the business. For example, the company plans to offer collaborative web video editing and publishing tools for both businesses and consumers, from as little as £1 per hour.

The service will allow customers access to professional editing facilities at a fraction of the cost of buying the equipment themselves. The fact that it is internet based will also be particularly useful for companies who wish to edit collaboratively from different locations, without the expense of travelling.

"Although we are still testing this service some companies are so impressed by its functionality and reliability that they are buying it already," said Hirst. "This is testament to the level of demand for smart online applications, and I am confident that we will see significant uptake over the next six months."

www.forbidden.co.uk