Bitmovin is a leading global provider of online video technology. Working with the University of Klagenfurt and funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW), collaborative efforts focus on new technologies set to improve the video streaming experience in the future.
Bearing the title ATHENA (Adaptive Streaming over HTTP and Emerging Networked Multimedia Services), a dedicated research team explores possible new tools and methods for encoding, transporting, and playing live and on-demand video using the HTTP adaptive streaming process. This technology is frequently used by online video and TV providers. The insights gained will contribute to supporting the development of next-generation solutions that deliver higher quality video experiences with lower latency while simultaneously reducing storage and distribution costs.
“The partnership with the University of Klagenfurt allows us to investigate the basic building blocks of video delivery in greater detail. This will help us to remain in pole position in the years ahead”, as Christopher Müller, CTO at Bitmovin states. Christian Timmerer, Associate Professor at the Institute of Information Technology (ITEC) at the University of Klagenfurt and Laboratory Director, goes on to explain: “Increasing competition between online video providers will accelerate the need for innovation. We continuously strive to maintain the optimum balance between cost, quality of user experience and increasing complexity of content.”
In Klagenfurt, members of the Institute for Information Technology have been working on the development of innovative multimedia technology for around 20 years. Bitmovin, which operates on a global scale and maintains sites on three continents today, originally began its operations in Klagenfurt: The three founders (Stefan Lederer, currently CEO, Christopher Müller, currently CTO, and Christian Timmerer, currently CIO) first collaborated on the development of the MPEG-DASH-Video-Streaming-Standard during their time at the University of Klagenfurt. This standard is currently used by YouTube, Netflix, ORF-TVThek, Flimmit and many more besides. Bitmovin offers doctoral and Master’s students at the University of Klagenfurt numerous opportunities for mobility through their company, for example, via career programmes, internships and thesis topics with practical relevance.
