Novix - Video Streaming over GPRS
Novix is a mobile startup based out of Mumbai, India. Their product Novix Live provides audio-video compression technology which aims at delivering quality video experiences to user on their mobile phones. Novix enables compression of high quality videos in real-time over low bandwidth networks like GPRS. Mobile companies which have content like mobile videos can use Novix’s data compression algorithms to provide a better video experience to their users. Novix Live claims to stream both live and pre-recorded content over low bandwidth channels. Mauj, one of the biggest mobile aggregators in India is using their technology for mobile video streaming.
Video streaming currently works only on Nokia Series 60 Version 2 handsets and hence the number of users which can currently view their content gets extremely limited. You need to install a plugin on the phone’s default browser to gain access to the videos in the the Gallery section of their demo site (http://mobi.novix.in/). Though the number of videos in the gallery are limited, you can still get a decent idea about how the overall experience on the phone will be like. In our tests, the application failed to give a smooth experience in the first attempt- the browser first crashed and the second time, it took about 2 minutes for the video to buffer initially and a playback of 2 seconds made it re buffer content.
Nevertheless, video compression technology can enable entertainment and educational content to reach remote areas where cellular phone networks are available. Mobile based video conferencing may also become a possibility. Novix also supports video compression to the extent of compressing a full movie into a typical 128MB memory card on your phone. There is also a Mobile Video Streaming SDK called Novix Sparx that developers can download to build their own video-centric applications based on their technology. This SDK is available for download here.
GPRS being a slow and costly affair in India, Novix is taking quite a daring step to promote video streaming over such networks. As better data services become available and with the upcoming 3G revolution in India, much better video experiences can be expected on mobile phones over a period of time.
Review written by Gaurav Gupta
amit on Apr 29, 2008
Any ideas about the revenue model for using this technology: it is a one time license fees or something else thereof.
Also does Novix host the solution on its own servers or it has to be self hosted
iSphere on Apr 29, 2008
doesn’t work with windows mobile phones
Kunal on May 1, 2008
NOVIX works with content aggregators, mobile marketing and content promotion companies to distribute video content.
The feedback from these companies is that the number of Symbian phone users (especially 2nd edition) is so overwhelming that it is alright to ignore Windows Mobile Users (as of now)
Porting the application on any platform is no big deal but remains solely a requirement based decision
Kunal on May 1, 2008
Regarding revenue models… NOVIX remains flexible. Most importantly, NOVIX technology enables advertising based revenue models.
Recently, telecom operators have made Basic GPRS availability free of any rental, so you pay on usage. Such things will spur a lot of innovative solutions on GPRS if application developers can base revenue models independent of the operators. Advertising model is one such model.
Gaurav Gupta on May 1, 2008
@Kunal, right now Novix may be one of the few companies providing high quality compression for videos so that end users get a good video experience.
Once 3G comes to India, hundred’s of players might enter the scene and try to grab a share of the pie.
Kunal on May 2, 2008
Right. If you are streaming content over lower bandwidth, it automatically translates into lower costs per customer, larger customers within the same infrastructure, etc. This will have a direct impact on capital investment affecting bottom line.
Kunal on May 2, 2008
More often than not, we have observed supercool user experience to the end user on streaming videos over GPRS. Worst performance observed is on Airtel and the best is seen on Hutch. Would like to know more feedback
Gaurav Gupta on May 2, 2008
@Kunal, Yes, it depends on how 3G plans are laid out once it launches in India. If 3G is also charged on a “per KB” or “per MB” usage, your model can work pretty well.
We did our testing on an Airtel connection and as you said, the performance wasn’t exactly supercool. If you can support S60.3, I can test it on a Nokia E90 on Idea Cellular and also on a 256kbps and 1 Mbps Wifi network
Kunal on May 2, 2008
A little clarification on the article:
1. NOVIX Live is Live Mobile Video Streaming application that streams live content (from camera feed, Television, etc) on to Mobile Phones. NOVIX Live was one of the top 10 applications selected by Nokia in the Mobile Rules Worldwide competition.
2. Other than live, Archived content streaming is possible through browser plugins, standalone applications and our tech plugged into some other application.
3. NOVIX Sparx is a video streaming SDK that forms the basis of all the video streaming applications mentioned above. It is available here
Kunal on May 2, 2008
When I mention lower cost to customer, I also mean the content aggregators who will shell out a lot of money hosting their content, paying for bandwidth. For them, it means lower expense and serving more customers with existing infrastructure
Kunal on May 2, 2008
We are in the process of signing our 3rd edition application… so it will be out shortly. Moreover, we will definitely be rolling out versions for Windows Mobile, etc.
James on May 4, 2008
One of the these tools that I have been using for quite some time has been http://www.qik.com. It provides all the capabilities that Novix is providing. Also they have opened up to use the APIs of YouTube and MySpace to upload the video into those respective sites.
This enables the end user to make his or her video reach a larger audience with minimum user interaction. With Qik you just shoot from your mobile, the video is streamed live on qik.com and then when the streaming is complete, the video is loaded into YouTube.
James on May 4, 2008
Sorry, I meant the streaming from the mobile user over the internet…but Novix, is the other way round. Apologies for the quick comment.
Kunal on May 8, 2008
Hi James
The next biggest hurdle after low download bandwidth on GPRS is the terrible upload bandwidth. Doing a real time upload is a pain in the back side
-Kunal
Mukesh on May 30, 2008
@Kunal: Your link to SPARX is not working.
http://www.webyantra.net/2008/04/29/novix-video-streaming-over-gprs/www.novix.in/Sparx.htm
Also, would like to know when will your player for S60 3rd ed be out?
Scott Coleman on Jun 12, 2008
I’m anxiously waiting the 3rd edition as well, is there an ETA?
Kunal Lagwankar on Jul 9, 2008
The link is http://www.novix.in/Sparx.htm.
Send me your email addresses at kunal AT novix DOT in and I will send you the 3rd edition player by email.
Thanks
Kunal
Vishwanath on Jul 11, 2008
Hi iSphere,
Curious to know why this wont work on Windows mobile phones????