Adobe Systems on Wednesday released its free AIR-based Media Player 1.0 along with a new Adobe TV network. Adobe said the customizable, cross-platform player provides “exciting new ways for viewers to discover and interact with their favorite content” in addition to offering brand-building and revenue opportunities for publishers.
AIR 1.0 runtime, released in February, allows developers to use “proven web technologies to build rich Internet applications” for the desktop and across operating systems, according to Adobe.
Viewing Outside the Browser
The player, originally announced a year ago at the National Association of Broadcasters show and now coming out of beta release, is being touted by Adobe for several key features. John Loiacono, Adobe senior vice president, called the player a “merge of TV Guide and a DVR” for video content on the Web.
It can provide high-quality playback of streamed, downloaded or locally stored video in Adobe’s Flash Video or in H.264 formats. As a desktop application, the player allows video to be downloaded outside the browser and viewed in 1080p, 720p or 480i display resolutions with high-quality audio.
Users can also subscribe to video content or TV shows, and receive new episodes automatically. A searchable catalog can be used to find new content from participating media companies.
Some of those media companies providing initial television and video programming include CBS, MTV Networks, Universal Music Group, PBS, CondeNet and Scripps Networks. Content available includes CSI: New York, Big Brother, Star Trek, Melrose Place, Hawaii Five-O, The Twilight Zone, Yo! MTV Raps, and various shows from HGTV, Food Network, PBS and others.
Adobe TV Launches
For the publishers, the player offers several ways to make money. For offline viewing, Adobe provides what it calls “viewer-centric dynamic advertising for targeted marketing campaigns” as well as options to brand the look and feel of the player. It also…