Technology reviewers are hailing a San Diego-based company’s new video platform for its innovation, user-friendliness, efficiency, reliability and technological capability.

 

The so-called “ICE Video Platform” from Imagine Communications is expected to help cable operators, according to Broadband Gear Report’s annual “Diamond Technology Reviews.”

 

The publication’s editor-in-chief, Laura Hamilton, said judges recognized the ICE broadcast system because it provides high video quality cheaply and efficiently.

 

“They (the judges) recommended that cable operators explore the solution as an option before performing plant upgrades or switched digital deployments,” Hamilton said.

 

Broadband Gear Report’s describes itself as an industry leading online publisher of the most advanced technology for voice, data and video equipment and services. Company officials say they independently review the industry’s latest standout products, software and services to help cable operators make more money and do a better job.

 

Imagine officials say the new video platform marks a breakthrough in edge multiplexing technology. With its end-to-end video layer quality of service, they say, system operators will get unprecedented control. Also, according to company officials, content providers and cable operators will be able to calibrate and establish video quality levels at the video layer, which can be sustained from content origination to the set-top box.

 

Lorenzo Bombelli, Imagine’s vice president of product strategy and management, said the ICE platform is in its first deployment with cable operators.

 

“(It) is already having a significant impact on cable’s ability to maintain industry-leading video quality as they add bandwidth-intensive content like HDTV, VOD, HD-VOD and other personalized services to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated consumer base,” Bombelli said.

 

Imagine officials say their unique suite of products gives system operators delivering digital broadcast, VOD, and SDV services a chance to leap ahead of competitors in the race to provide the highest video quality.