Vemotion launches wireless video hosting service

Vemotion, part of BTexact Technologies’ corporate technology incubator Brightstar, announced its mobile video hosting service at the source O2 developer conference in London. Brightstar takes ideas and patents from BTexact, BT’s advanced research and technology business, and gives the individuals who developed them the chance to create fledgling businesses.

Picture shows Ian Cameron, Vemotion’s CEO.

Vemotion, an independent company operating Europe's first mobile video hosting service, is utilising patented technology from BTexact to deliver full-colour video services to the latest mobile phones and PDAs.

With GPRS devices, such as Nokia's 7650 and mmO2's XDA, expected to be the ‘must have’ gadget this coming Christmas, users will be looking for content and applications to make the most of the features available to them. However, with speeds limited to 40kbit/s (that’s 25 per cent lower than a standard computer modem), and connection quality varying with signal conditions and the number of users, the specialist services of Vemotion will be essential in helping content providers satisfy this demand.

The most popular video applications currently are video ring-tones, video greetings, surveillance cameras, music videos, sports clips and news clips. The typical length of the clips is between 20 seconds and 4 minutes, which can cost users as little as 30 pence. Vemotion’s solutions allow users to watch live events, access content on demand, or download clips for later viewing.

Vemotion’s underpinning technology includes the FastStart capability, which halves video start-up times; Layered Download, which improves quality with each viewing of a clip, and Mobile Aware features to enhance user experience in harsh network conditions. The technology is also the first in the world to meet the emerging H.26L international standard, which doubles video quality for the same data rate as MPEG-4.

Ian Cameron, Vemotion’s CEO, said: "We are facing a revolution in the way people use their mobile phones – some analysts say it will be as big as the effect of TV on radio. Video over the internet is a challenge but video over mobile networks is much tougher. No single platform meets every customer's needs, but by combining the best offerings on the market today with patented technology developed by BTexact we offer the best possible service across a range of applications.

“A new generation of mobile phones with colour screens and high-speed connectivity are already appearing from companies such as Nokia, Sendo, SonyEricsson and Motorola. Users have high expectations for these devices and Vemotion is set to meet and exceed those expectations – we’re delivering video services today!”

Harry Berry, head of Brightstar, said: "BTexact has been developing video technology for over 20 years. Vemotion creates a unique opportunity for us to see this valuable technology down-streamed to many more commercial users worldwide. It is clear that mobile video will create tremendous market opportunities over the coming year."