Starbak develops encoder appliance

Starbak's got a new 1U rackmount appliance for encoding any video input (DVD, VCR, camera, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI) into the Windows Media format at multiple bit rates. The Create CEA supports the Windows Media 7, 8 and 9 formats to give customers the ability to support older player clients. Why buy a Windows Media Encoder appliance when you get the encoder software for free from Microsoft? Starbak sees the CEA as fitting into its overall product strategy, where the encoders, servers and storage libraries are controlled from a central Web-based interface. With the CEA, an encoding process can be kicked off remotely from the Web management interface.

Create CEA comes with a built-in Windows Media Server capable of handling a handful of video stream requests. For larger audiences, customers can use the encoder with Starbak's OSA streaming server or a standalone Windows 2000/2003 server running Windows Media Services. Create CEA is scheduled to ship in November with a starting price around $12,000.