Nevertheless, the growing video file sizes being generated by TV broadcasters as they move to 4K, plus the increasing number of distribution platforms they are now serving with content, makes AFT software the right transfer solution for its time. As well, “the read/write access speeds of the storage media being used by many broadcasters-specifically their HDDs-can limit how much throughput they can achieve,” Bailey added. But the technology is not without its challenges and limits.įor example, “although IP bandwidth capacity is growing while per-gigabit cost is dropping, there are still parts of the world where high bandwidth connectivity is not available, or not at affordable prices,” said Signiant’s Hamilton. With its ability to push massive media files through the internet at speeds up to 10 Gbps, AFT software is proving to be an essential part of the modern broadcaster’s tool kit. “We ensure that the internet delivers the fastest transmission speed possible unlike conventional TCP and other legacy protocols.” “Overall, software like our FASPStream addresses broadcasters’ need to move data as quickly as possible over IP,” said Flathers. “Whether for HD, 4K, or eventually 8K, an effective MAM needs robust, reliable file transfer, and AFT fits that bill.” Primestream’s client list includes VICE Media, Cisco TV and AT&T Sports Network. “As such, this makes AFT software a useful part of any media asset management system, such as Primestream’s FORK MAM,” said David Schleifer, COO of Primestream. “No problem: Those camera views can all be sent via AFT to a subscription website like NFL RedZone, where they can be viewed by paying subscribers,” Bailey said.ĪFT also gives broadcasters a means for transporting “uber-large” 4K video files with minimal delays and signal latency. “But they are also finding AFTs incredible useful for live sports events.”įor instance, a broadcaster may find themselves covering a game with more camera views than they can use on-air. “It is true that many of these broadcasters are using media file transfers to produce and distribute their programming,” said Chris Bailey, CEO and co-founder of FileCatalyst. Signiant’s list includes Discovery Channel, Fox and NBC, among others.Ĭhris Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder of FileCatalyst Among FileCatalyst’s clients are the BBC, NBC Olympics (Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016) and Travel Channel. Aspera’s customer list includes the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), DirecTV Latin America and Netflix. Media Shuttle has no file size limits, and its “Checkpoint Restart” feature automatically restarts interrupted transfers from the point of failure within the file: There is no need to start again from the beginning or re-send the whole thing.Ī growing number of TV broadcasters are using AFT software to move their media files around. This transfer protocol is based on a special UDP, combined with advanced FTP and TCP functionality. Signiant Media Shuttle, which supports broadcaster-initiated file transfers, uses the company’s proprietary transfer protocol to move media files up to 200 times faster than conventional FTP. Signiant offers on-premises and SaaS (software-as-a-service) AFT solutions. Signiant Media Shuttle, which supports broadcaster-initiated file transfers, uses the company’s proprietary transfer protocol to move media files up to 200 times faster than conventional FTP (A UDP is a stripped-down internet protocol that puts transmission speed rather than guaranteed delivery first.) When a UDP cannot be used, FileCatalyst combines transfers through multiple concurrent TCP streams with on-the-fly compression to speed files through. “Unlike standard TCP communications that respond to data dropouts and latencies by severely reducing the transmission speed, Aspera eliminates this speed-reducing function, while keeping files and streamed data intact.”įileCatalyst uses a patented, proprietary application layer built on top of “User Datagram Protocol” (UDP) to transmit media files at speeds up to 10 Gbps over IP. “Our new FASPStream technology builds on our patented Fast Adaptive Secure Protocol-FASP-that fully utilizes available bandwidth instead of throttling down the transmission speed when errors are detected,” said Mike Flathers, Aspera’s chief technologist. Not surprisingly, each AFT software company has their own approach to enabling fast, efficient media file transfers.Īspera’s software lets broadcasters use ‘byte-streaming’ to process media file data as soon as the upload begins, rather than waiting for the entire file to be received first.