What's beginning to look a lot like HD is coming from a TV network to a computer screen near you. ABC.com has quietly begun employing a new form of streaming technology on its Web site to offer its current primetime series (including commercials) in full-screen format that several tech Web sites already have noted is noticeably superior to standard streaming as far as reliability and motion fluidity--in some cases approaching near-HD quality (with broadband connections).
ABC is using software developed by Move Networks, headquartered in American Fork, Utah, which is partially funded by its parent, Disney and now being used by Fox and CW. Several HD-like demo videos are available at Move's Web site.
Unlike most other online sites that use Flash Video, the video offered online using Move software retrieves its video data directly from "http" servers (not Flash media servers, per se), according to Web TV Blend.
Move Networks calls its software "Quantum Streaming," which is fed to a consumer's computer "based on the speed and quality of the viewer's connection to the Internet and the available encoded bit-rates available. Each viewer's experience is unique and dynamically managed...Video delivery automatically adjusts to compensate for Internet traffic anomalies, as well and changes in the viewer's Internet connectivity and available CPU," according to the company.
For now, only ABC.com is using the full-screen mode, while Fox and CW are using a small-screen version.
