Summary
SpectiCast provides film owners and distributors the ability to leverage its advanced digital technology network as a high-quality and low-cost alternative to distributing digital film to independent and art house theaters, performing arts centers, and other alternative venues. SpectiCast's services include digital encoding and storage, distribution, delivery verification, technical support, and fulfillment of film and related content, such as screeners and trailers, over a secured and redundant network. In contrast to other digital delivery systems, SpectiCast's technology and network equipment is virtually cost-free for the exhibitor, thus eliminating one of the most significant barriers to acceptance.
SpectiCast provides film owners and distributors the ability to leverage its advanced digital technology network as a high-quality and low-cost alternative to distributing digital film to independent and art house theaters, performing arts centers, and other alternative venues. SpectiCast's services include digital encoding and storage, distribution, delivery verification, technical support, and fulfillment of film and related content, such as screeners and trailers, over a secured and redundant network. In contrast to other digital delivery systems, SpectiCast's technology and network equipment is virtually cost-free for the exhibitor, thus eliminating one of the most significant barriers to acceptance.
Company Overview
SpectiCast is a digital broadcast company that distributes films, and produces, directs, simulcasts and distributes cultural arts & entertainment events and alternative content to both traditional and non-traditional venues across North America.
SpectiCast is a digital broadcast company that distributes films, and produces, directs, simulcasts and distributes cultural arts & entertainment events and alternative content to both traditional and non-traditional venues across North America.
Our Digital Theatre Network (DTN) not only supports live and encore simulcasts,
but can efficiently and securely transfer any digital content to theaters and other
exhibition venues. Content is delivered to our specialized Network Appliances
residing at the venues, for local playback from the menu system on the embedded
hard drive.
SpectiCast's DTN delivers the highest quality audiovisual digital experience
using advanced Internet-protocol technologies operating over a network that
has worldwide reach. Our services leverage patented technologies to deliver
extremely high quality audiovisual content using standard business class
Internet connections. We have extensive experience in the fields of data
networking, video transmission technology, video production, film purchasing
and exhibition, as well as a deep history directing, producing and transmitting
cultural arts.
Our technology platform allows us to provide a very cost effective turnkey
digital service that can deliver live and pre-recorded content such as specialty
films, repository collections, and re-issue films, at any time, to multiple
locations any place in the world. This platform allows us to efficiently
distribute content to multiple locations in high quality at a much lower
cost than traditional satellite-based systems or more complex network server
based systems, thereby providing better economics and greatly simplified
operational and distribution logistics to our content partners and theaters.
In August 2010 SpectiCast partnered with Bryn Mawr Film Institute to expand
our distribution for both traditional film and alternative content to the
public theater market, including thousands of potential independent movie
houses, art house theaters, performing arts and community centers, and
other alternative theaters around the country.
The SpectiCast DTN
SpectiCast's DTN consists of several components:
SpectiCast's DTN consists of several components:
- Content including the Content Provider Network (CPN) in the case of live transmissions, or Digital Content in the case of pre-recorded film and other content,
- Digital Network Control Center (DNCC),
- Transport Network, and
- Theater Premise Equipment (TPE).
Using proven tools and technologies, the DTN automatically and securely
schedules, delivers, plays, monitors and reconciles large volumes of content files.
Digital Content
High-Definition pre-recorded content is encoded through our Ingest System, which accepts multi-format HD digital content (including, but not limited to, ProRes 422(HQ), HDCAM, HDCAM-SR, HDCAM-D5, and XDCAM), into an H.264 or Mpeg2 file format that can be distributed securely over our network and played back by our Network Appliance. We can also convert Blu-Ray DVD into a network-compatible file format. Resulting output playback formats include 1080i (1920x1080) and 720p (1280x720).
High-Definition pre-recorded content is encoded through our Ingest System, which accepts multi-format HD digital content (including, but not limited to, ProRes 422(HQ), HDCAM, HDCAM-SR, HDCAM-D5, and XDCAM), into an H.264 or Mpeg2 file format that can be distributed securely over our network and played back by our Network Appliance. We can also convert Blu-Ray DVD into a network-compatible file format. Resulting output playback formats include 1080i (1920x1080) and 720p (1280x720).
In addition, we can encode high-quality anamorphic widescreen standard definition 16:9 DigiBeta non-transcoded PAL or
NTSC format content, and can improve the quality of standard definition content by up-converting it
to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution prior to encoding.
Digital Network Control Center
SpectiCast's DNCC is housed in a fully redundant and carrier neutral datacenter
in Center City Philadelphia with 24x7x365 on-site support. All components of the
DNCC can be remotely accessed and managed over our secure Virtual Private
Network (VPN).
SpectiCast's DNCC is housed in a fully redundant and carrier neutral datacenter
in Center City Philadelphia with 24x7x365 on-site support. All components of the
DNCC can be remotely accessed and managed over our secure Virtual Private
Network (VPN).
Transport Network. The Transport Network, developed and tested over several years,
utilizes proprietary technologies that condition the public Internet to deliver
broadcast quality content over standard broadband Internet connections. The result
is a highly reliable and efficient network that delivers low-cost, real-time,
broadcast quality digital audiovisual channels on par with HD digital satellite
and HD cable television formats.
This same Transport Network manages the digital download process for film and
other recorded content to the hard drives integrated inside the Network Appliances.
Our services do not rely on a dedicated connection, static IP address, or private
line service, but rather utilize a venue's existing business-class broadband
Internet connection.
Theater Premise Equipment (TPE).
SpectiCast's TPE consists of a company provided
true "plug and play" Network Appliance that supports standard-definition and
both 720p and 1080i high-definition video, and up to 5.1 Dolby Digital
surround sound. This user-friendly device is connected to a theater's audio
video equipment (using standard RCA, Component, or HDMI inputs) and to their
broadband Internet connection.
SpectiCast's TPE consists of a company provided
true "plug and play" Network Appliance that supports standard-definition and
both 720p and 1080i high-definition video, and up to 5.1 Dolby Digital
surround sound. This user-friendly device is connected to a theater's audio
video equipment (using standard RCA, Component, or HDMI inputs) and to their
broadband Internet connection.
Our Network Appliance comes with an integrated 250GB fully-managed networked
hard drive that enables SpectiCast to download, update, and remove files
through our network management systems, thereby providing significant capacity
and flexibility for pre-recorded content. Our platform provides for automatic
verification and reconciliation of file downloads as well as removal controls
to ensure the integrity of each piece of content. In addition, through our
simple menu system each theater has the capability to call up, select and
playback content at the time of its choosing, or to select and schedule a
series of individual files (e.g., trailers, advertising, promotions, film)
into a playlist for seamless playback.
Local Playback. Our service supports both 720p and 1080i output resolution and,
if required, 480i service.
Through a simple menu interface, our technology provides full flexibility for locally
controlled playback of content stored on the TPE hard drive. Projectionists can control
stored film and alternative content, as well as digital trailers and promotional spots,
individually or through use of a playlist. Or, if desired, SpectiCast can fully control
all playback functions from our DNCC to facilitate, for example, a film release or event
screening occurring simultaneously over selected theaters within our network. We can also
facilitate a live event broadcast wrapped around a film or other pre-recorded content to
create a virtual festival event complete with a live Q&A session.
Technology Requirements for Theaters /Exhibition Venues
General Requirements. While we encourage the use of the highest quality digital projection system that a theater can afford, our technology is designed to work with any digital projection system. To receive our service, a theater must have a standard, 3Mbps or higher, broadband Internet service (i.e., FiOS, commercial cable modem, DSL, etc).
General Requirements. While we encourage the use of the highest quality digital projection system that a theater can afford, our technology is designed to work with any digital projection system. To receive our service, a theater must have a standard, 3Mbps or higher, broadband Internet service (i.e., FiOS, commercial cable modem, DSL, etc).
To receive content, a theater simply connects the SpectiCast Network
Appliance to their existing Internet connection, and then to their digital
audio/video projection system. Our technology supports industry standard
composite, component, and HDMI audio video connections.
Products and Services Summary
For Film Distributors
- Secure Digital Encoding of Master Files
- Encoding of HD Film, HD Trailers and Screeners
- Nominal Cost to Rights Owners
- Storage
- Unlimited storage of re-encoded content in our Digital Network Control Center
- Efficient and Secured Distribution for Theater Screenings
- Secured distribution of specified digital content to the theaters for screenings.
- Delivered to Network Appliance hard drive for local playback
- Positive verification of content delivery
- Competitive "Gross Split"
- Promotional Support
- Secured electronic delivery of promotional materials provided by film distributors including digital format posters, program guides, and trailers in flat and scope formats.
For Theater Owners
- Theater Premise Equipment
- A fully managed Network Appliance provided to each theater in exchange for a security deposit of $495. No other installation or monthly fees are charged.
- The Network Appliance is shipped directly to the theater for installation by their staff. The simple "plug-and-play" design eliminates the need for any third party installation process.
- Delivery and Management of Content
- Secured delivery of films, screeners and trailers for screenings
- Unlimited file deliveries
- Competitive "Gross Split"
- Customer Support
- Fully managed service package including remote installation support, and 24/7-customer care.
- Promotional Support
- Secured electronic delivery of promotional materials provided by film distributors including digital format posters, program guides, and trailers in flat and scope formats.
For additional information or to schedule a demonstration, please contact us at
info@specticast.com or call: