Having assisted in the launch of DirecTV's 4K service, as well as a soon-to-launch Ultra HD product for a "major cable operator," venerable media services company Deluxe has officially unfurled a range of 4K offerings for pay-TV clients.
The Burbank, Calif.-based company has added key capabilities and feature enhancements to its cloud-based content supply and VOD management solution, Deluxe OnDemand.
Deluxe bills the service as a turnkey solution for operators, enabling them to launch 4K services quickly, without the need for infrastructure investment. Deluxe OnDemand's has been upgraded to include all the enhanced workflow functions and processes needed to deliver authenticated 4K content over the Internet to 4K-compatible TVs and IP devices.
The service includes digital remastering of 4K programming, conversion and high efficiency video encoding (H.265), transcoding, DRM and CDN hosting and delivery.
"This is a very unique opportunity for [pay-TV operators] to deliver their own 4K service at a level of quality and service that consumers can't get over-the-top," Todd Collart, general manager of Deluxe Digital Distribution, told FierceCable.
"When you start talking about delivering a turnkey 4K experience, you really need someone who understands everything from source code to packaging to playback," he added. "We help people navigate those very complex, very technical waters."
Deluxe is hoping an early leadership position in 4K services for pay-TV operators helps ease its still painful transition away from its legacy business of film processing.
In November, DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) made a small number of Paramount movies and K2 Productions nature documentaries available for 4K viewing on VOD.
Among cable companies, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) pledged at CES last January to begin offering 4K service by the end of the year.
FierceCable will be talking about 4K at an upcoming breakfast panel held in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show. For more, click here.
For more:
- read this Deluxe press release
Related links:
Werner: Comcast to use Winter Olympics to promote 4K Ultra HD programming
Ready or not, 4K is coming … and you need a roadmap
Awareness of 4K up to 57%, Strategy Analytics says
DirecTV: Oh, one more thing, 4K setup will set you back $50
DirecTV's 4K launch highlights include Forrest Gump, nature films