Vidyo
Encyclopedia
Vidyo, Inc. is a privately held, venture funded company that provides both software-based technology and product-based visual communication solution
s. The company’s VidyoConferencing solutions are the first in the videoconferencing
industry to take advantage of the most recent enhancement to the H.264 standard for video compression, Scalable Video Coding
(SVC).
Vidyo’s implementation of this technology enables high definition
, low-latency, error resilient, multipoint video communication
to both desktop and room system end points across general purpose IP networks.
Vidyo is well known for its implementation in Gmail
's video and phone calls. It has also been speculated, but not officially confirmed by Google
, that Vidyo is being used for Google+
's Hangout feature.
s (MCU), which exacerbated delay due to transcoding or forced all endpoints to conform to the least common denominator endpoint quality, were the only solutions the industry had to offer at that time. He realized that to take advantage of state of the art H.264 compression technology, the fundamental technology behind video conferencing systems had to change and a new system design was required. Mr. Shapiro’s efforts resulted in a paradigm shift for the video conferencing industry - a new system architecture. The solution was based upon Scalable Video Coding
(SVC) which allowed for error resiliency which was absent in monolithic encoding schemes that were common throughout the industry. Implementation of SVC for only some system components offered little value. The full benefit of SVC required re-designing both the endpoint (client) and MCU (server), a costly and time consuming proposition for incumbent providers of video conferencing systems. Unencumbered by a legacy product line, Mr. Shapiro took his ideas and developed a new architecture in which the MCU was replaced with a low cost router and all of the encoding and decoding was done at the end points.
At the end of 2004, Mr. Shapiro took his concept and architecture to investors and started raising money to form an organization to develop it. During this process, he met Avery More in early 2005. With Mr. More’s advice and support, Mr. Shapiro brought his plans to venture capital firms Sevin Rosen Funds
and Star Ventures. Layered Media (the original name for Vidyo) secured its seed funding in April of 2005, led by Mr. Jon Bayless of Sevin Rosen Funds. Mr. Shapiro quickly went to work assembling a veteran team of technology leaders in video compression, transmission and conferencing. By October of 2005, the organization secured its first round of financing from its venture partners. Operating in stealth mode
through the beginning of 2007, Shapiro’s team had created a video conferencing solution with HD quality video, that effectively addressed the interactivity inhibiting delay common in legacy systems, and enabled every end point to send and receive at quality levels they were capable of, irrespective of the other endpoints involved in the meeting and the network to which it is connected.
Layered Media licensed its technology to its first OEM customers early in 2007. In June of 2007 Layered Media secured series B funding, with Rho Ventures joining in to lead the round. Shortly after Layered Media changed its name to Vidyo, Inc.
By the beginning of 2008, Vidyo emerged from stealth mode
with a product solution offering for the enterprise market and an annual licensing price model which lowered the start up cost barrier for organizations looking to implement a video conferencing solution.
In the first quarter of 2009, Vidyo raised another round of funding, led by Menlo Ventures
joining Rho Ventures
, Sevin Rosen Funds
, and Star Ventures.
In early April 2010, the company announced another $25 million from their Series C round of financing, bringing the total amount of capital raised by the company to $63 million since its founding in 2005. All existing investors, Menlo Ventures
, Rho Ventures
, Sevin Rosen Funds
and Star Ventures, participated in the round, which was led by Four Rivers Group.
In May 2010, Vidyo launched its Software Development Kit (SDK), enabling developers to build multipoint video conferencing applications into Android and Moblin-based smart phones and tablets running Intel Atom Processor Z6xx series-based platforms (formerly Moorestown) and on ARM processor-based platforms.
In June 2010, at Infocomm in Las Vegas, Vidyo demonstrated the first videoconferencing system to attain 1440p (decode), at 2560 x 1440p resolution, in an HD multiparty video conference via general purpose IP networks.
A few days later, the company announced a partnership with HP to expand the HP Halo portfolio to include conference room and desktop endpoints that run on enterprise networks.
In February 2010, Vidyo received 12th Annual Product of the Year Award from TMC's Internet Telephony Magazine (TMCnet)
In March 2010, Vidyo ranked #35 in the Top 50 Venture-Backed Companies in The Wall Street Journal
In August 2010, Vidyo was named Finalist in Lead411's New York City
Hot 125
In September 2010, Vidyo became Finalist in the AlwaysOn OnMedia Top 100 Company Competition
In September 2010, Vidyo was the recipient of The Wall Street Journal
2010 Technology Innovation Award in the “Network/Internet Technologies/Broadband” category.
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s. The company’s VidyoConferencing solutions are the first in the videoconferencing
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is the conduct of a videoconference by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously...
industry to take advantage of the most recent enhancement to the H.264 standard for video compression, Scalable Video Coding
Scalable Video Coding
Scalable Video Coding is the name for the Annex G extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard. SVC standardizes the encoding of a high-quality video bitstream that also contains one or more subset bitstreams. A subset video bitstream is derived by dropping packets from the...
(SVC).
Vidyo’s implementation of this technology enables high definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
, low-latency, error resilient, multipoint video communication
Multipoint Control Unit
A Multipoint Control Unit is a device commonly used to bridge videoconferencing connections.The Multipoint Control Unit is an endpoint on the LAN that provides the capability for 3 or more terminals and gateways to participate in a multipoint conference...
to both desktop and room system end points across general purpose IP networks.
Vidyo is well known for its implementation in Gmail
Gmail
Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service provided by Google. Users may access Gmail as secure webmail, as well via POP3 or IMAP protocols. Gmail was launched as an invitation-only beta release on April 1, 2004 and it became available to the general public on February 7, 2007, though...
's video and phone calls. It has also been speculated, but not officially confirmed by Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, that Vidyo is being used for Google+
Google+
Google+ is a social networking and identity service, operated by Google Inc.The service was launched on June 28, 2011, in an invite-only "field testing" phase. The following day, existing users were allowed to invite friends who were over 18 years of age to the service to create their own accounts....
's Hangout feature.
History
Vidyo was born of co-founder and CEO, Ofer Shapiro’s, dissatisfaction with the complexity and limitations inherent in traditional video conferencing over IP networks. Shapiro spent eight years at Radvision, where he was responsible for the development of the first IP video conferencing bridge and programmable gatekeeper technology. After leaving Radvision in early 2004, he spent some time thinking about how video conferencing networks could be improved. Packet loss and latency that accompanies general purpose IP networks posed significant challenges to the existing systems. Costly dedicated networks and expensive Multipoint Control UnitMultipoint Control Unit
A Multipoint Control Unit is a device commonly used to bridge videoconferencing connections.The Multipoint Control Unit is an endpoint on the LAN that provides the capability for 3 or more terminals and gateways to participate in a multipoint conference...
s (MCU), which exacerbated delay due to transcoding or forced all endpoints to conform to the least common denominator endpoint quality, were the only solutions the industry had to offer at that time. He realized that to take advantage of state of the art H.264 compression technology, the fundamental technology behind video conferencing systems had to change and a new system design was required. Mr. Shapiro’s efforts resulted in a paradigm shift for the video conferencing industry - a new system architecture. The solution was based upon Scalable Video Coding
Scalable Video Coding
Scalable Video Coding is the name for the Annex G extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard. SVC standardizes the encoding of a high-quality video bitstream that also contains one or more subset bitstreams. A subset video bitstream is derived by dropping packets from the...
(SVC) which allowed for error resiliency which was absent in monolithic encoding schemes that were common throughout the industry. Implementation of SVC for only some system components offered little value. The full benefit of SVC required re-designing both the endpoint (client) and MCU (server), a costly and time consuming proposition for incumbent providers of video conferencing systems. Unencumbered by a legacy product line, Mr. Shapiro took his ideas and developed a new architecture in which the MCU was replaced with a low cost router and all of the encoding and decoding was done at the end points.
At the end of 2004, Mr. Shapiro took his concept and architecture to investors and started raising money to form an organization to develop it. During this process, he met Avery More in early 2005. With Mr. More’s advice and support, Mr. Shapiro brought his plans to venture capital firms Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds is a venture capital firm that was established in 1980 by L. J. Sevin and Ben Rosen. SRF was involved in the financing of Citrix, Cypress Semiconductor, Electronic Arts, Lotus Development Corporation, Silicon Graphics, and Vitesse Semiconductor...
and Star Ventures. Layered Media (the original name for Vidyo) secured its seed funding in April of 2005, led by Mr. Jon Bayless of Sevin Rosen Funds. Mr. Shapiro quickly went to work assembling a veteran team of technology leaders in video compression, transmission and conferencing. By October of 2005, the organization secured its first round of financing from its venture partners. Operating in stealth mode
Stealth mode
In business, stealth mode is a company's temporary state of secretiveness, usually undertaken in order to avoid alerting competitors to a pending product launch or other business initiative...
through the beginning of 2007, Shapiro’s team had created a video conferencing solution with HD quality video, that effectively addressed the interactivity inhibiting delay common in legacy systems, and enabled every end point to send and receive at quality levels they were capable of, irrespective of the other endpoints involved in the meeting and the network to which it is connected.
Layered Media licensed its technology to its first OEM customers early in 2007. In June of 2007 Layered Media secured series B funding, with Rho Ventures joining in to lead the round. Shortly after Layered Media changed its name to Vidyo, Inc.
By the beginning of 2008, Vidyo emerged from stealth mode
Stealth mode
In business, stealth mode is a company's temporary state of secretiveness, usually undertaken in order to avoid alerting competitors to a pending product launch or other business initiative...
with a product solution offering for the enterprise market and an annual licensing price model which lowered the start up cost barrier for organizations looking to implement a video conferencing solution.
In the first quarter of 2009, Vidyo raised another round of funding, led by Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures is a venture capital firm located at 3000 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California.The firm was founded as one of the earliest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley in 1976 and provides provides technology venture capital funding for seed, early stage and growth companies...
joining Rho Ventures
Rho Ventures
Rho Ventures is a venture capital firm that actively invests in technology, new media, cleantech and healthcare companies.The firm, which is based in New York City, Palo Alto and Montreal, was founded in 1981. The firm has raised over $2 billion since inception across 6 funds...
, Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds is a venture capital firm that was established in 1980 by L. J. Sevin and Ben Rosen. SRF was involved in the financing of Citrix, Cypress Semiconductor, Electronic Arts, Lotus Development Corporation, Silicon Graphics, and Vitesse Semiconductor...
, and Star Ventures.
In early April 2010, the company announced another $25 million from their Series C round of financing, bringing the total amount of capital raised by the company to $63 million since its founding in 2005. All existing investors, Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures
Menlo Ventures is a venture capital firm located at 3000 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California.The firm was founded as one of the earliest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley in 1976 and provides provides technology venture capital funding for seed, early stage and growth companies...
, Rho Ventures
Rho Ventures
Rho Ventures is a venture capital firm that actively invests in technology, new media, cleantech and healthcare companies.The firm, which is based in New York City, Palo Alto and Montreal, was founded in 1981. The firm has raised over $2 billion since inception across 6 funds...
, Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds is a venture capital firm that was established in 1980 by L. J. Sevin and Ben Rosen. SRF was involved in the financing of Citrix, Cypress Semiconductor, Electronic Arts, Lotus Development Corporation, Silicon Graphics, and Vitesse Semiconductor...
and Star Ventures, participated in the round, which was led by Four Rivers Group.
In May 2010, Vidyo launched its Software Development Kit (SDK), enabling developers to build multipoint video conferencing applications into Android and Moblin-based smart phones and tablets running Intel Atom Processor Z6xx series-based platforms (formerly Moorestown) and on ARM processor-based platforms.
In June 2010, at Infocomm in Las Vegas, Vidyo demonstrated the first videoconferencing system to attain 1440p (decode), at 2560 x 1440p resolution, in an HD multiparty video conference via general purpose IP networks.
A few days later, the company announced a partnership with HP to expand the HP Halo portfolio to include conference room and desktop endpoints that run on enterprise networks.
Awards & recognitions
In 2010, Vidyo Inc. received Best of Interop 2010 AwardIn February 2010, Vidyo received 12th Annual Product of the Year Award from TMC's Internet Telephony Magazine (TMCnet)
In March 2010, Vidyo ranked #35 in the Top 50 Venture-Backed Companies in The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
In August 2010, Vidyo was named Finalist in Lead411's New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Hot 125
In September 2010, Vidyo became Finalist in the AlwaysOn OnMedia Top 100 Company Competition
In September 2010, Vidyo was the recipient of The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
2010 Technology Innovation Award in the “Network/Internet Technologies/Broadband” category.
Products
VidyoConferencing products have all been designed to take advantage of an organization’s existing IP infrastructure, requiring no dedicated networks.VidyoPortal
The VidyoPortal is a Web-based environment used to access and manage the VidyoConferencing system and accounts respectively from anywhere with Internet Access.VidyoDesktop
VidyoDesktop is a software-based endpoint, managed via VidyoPortal, and is able to support HD quality video.VidyoRoom
HD-200 is a High Definition room system endpoint. The HD-100 is an entry level High Definition room system endpoint. Both of these products are managed by the VidyoPortal and interoperate with VidyoDesktop users.VidyoGateway
VidyoGateway is an appliance used to connect legacy video conferencing systems with the VidyoConferencing network.VidyoCampus
The VidyoCampus Program is used by colleges and universities to deploy high-definition (HD) VidyoConferencing to every desktop throughout their collaboration community. It offers single-site licenses that cover bundles of VidyoRouter appliances, VidyoRouter multi-point conferencing port software licenses, VidyoPortal seat software licenses, and VidyoDesktop client downloads.VidyoHealth
VidyoHealth is a scalable high-definition telemedicine solution that uses the public Internet and existing general purpose IP networks at medical facilities to enable doctor-patient and doctor-doctor interactions.External links
- Vidyo Official Blog
- Vidyo Official Website
- Interop 08 - podcastPodcastA podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
Interview with Ofer Shapiro - Vidyo Impact Movie
- Vidyo Presentation at DEMO 08
- White Papers on SVC
- See Vidyo SVC vs. Legacy AVC
- See Vidyo in Action