This page provides links to VBrick white papers. Some of these papers describe industry concepts and trends, other describe specific VBrick products. These white papers are available in PDF format only. To save or print a PDF document, right-click and select or . If you notice missing documentation or broken links, please send e‑mail to
documentation@vbrick.com
A VBrick WM appliance lets you configure up to three different video encoding rates, frame rates, and resolutions. This means that the video stream and the viewing experience can be tailored to the amount of bandwidth each viewer has available. This paper examines multiple bit rate and explains how to effectively deliver different streams for different types of users.
Scaling video distribution over the public Internet and/or private networks (without using multicast) requires a basic understanding of "push" and "pull" techniques. This paper explains the basics and identifies the strengths and limitations of each approach.
A VBrick WM appliance can receive a live stream from another WM appliance (or a compatible source) and redistribute or "reflect" it to other viewers or other reflectors. This paper explains basic reflector concepts, features, and networking options.
This white paper examines the issues and challenges of streaming live video to branch offices in a distributed business enterprise. It explains how you can use a reflector to work around common bandwidth issues and provides multiple use cases of typical business scenarios.
The VBrick WM appliance supports multiple video resolutions including widescreen. This paper explains how you can deliver standard 4x3 video to a VBrick appliance configured for 16 x 9 Zoom Mode and produce a video stream or file in widescreen format.
This white paper explains how VBrick is positioned to exploit next generation H.264 video compression technology to deliver better video quality at lower bit rates. It examines current H.264 technology and interoperability, as compared with the ecosystem currently in place today for MPEG‑2, MPEG‑4, and Windows Media, and draws some realistic conclusions.
This white paper explains how to use two cameras in a classroom or conference environment to create realistic and compelling broadcasts for viewers. VBrick network video appliances support two video inputs and this paper explains how to automatically switch between these video inputs using a special floor mat or other presence detector.
VBrick appliances that include MPEG‑4 encoding support a "JPEG Capture" feature that periodically saves one frame of the live stream as a compressed JPEG snapshot. This white paper explains how to FTP the JPEG images from one or more VBricks to any external web server for immediate viewing on any desktop with Internet access.
This white paper explains how VBrick's WM appliance seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft Windows Media ecosystem to provide stunning, high-quality, live video. This paper explains reliability and compatibility benefits of the VBrick WM encoder and also provides a detailed quick reference comparison of VBrick's WM, MPEG‑2, and MPEG‑4 appliances.
This white paper provides a broad overview of video delay and latency. It describes and explains the multiple factors responsible for video delay and the various strategies for minimizing them. It explains what audio/video adjustments are possible and what factors, for example packet loss and data errors, will always be beyond your control.
This white paper explains the features and functionality that are standard when you use VBrick MPEG‑4 decoders for video-conferencing and high-quality video display. MPEG‑4 provides low bandwidth, high-quality, full motion video. It operates at user-selectable data and frame rates and provides maximum flexibility in any point-to-point or multicast environment.
VBrick metadata is structured set of descriptive elements that can be used for real-time event synchronization. For example, you can insert a text string into a live video stream that a user application can later interact with. This technical paper explains how you can use VBrick metadata in a wide variety of network applications.
This white paper examines the technology VBrick uses to decode MPEG‑4 streams. It explains the protocol that VBrick uses to send descriptor information to decoders. This can help you decide, for example, how to use VBrick's patented technology for client/server networking even when a server is inside a network and cannot be called directly.
This white paper discusses some of the myths, risks, and realities of using streaming video and firewalls. It provides a broad overview of specific streaming fundamentals and common firewall strategies that include UDP ports, NATs, port scans, HTTP tunneling, etc.
This white paper examines how "converged" networks can effectively manage video, voice, and data in today's highly flexible transportation systems. It explains how to eliminate video routers and switches and use IP multicasting from VBrick MPEG‑2 and MPEG‑4 encoders to deliver live streams to multiple monitoring locations or desktops.
This white paper explains how VBrick's VBXcast MPEG‑4 solution addresses traditional reservations about streaming video, namely cost, complexity, and bandwidth. VBXcast is designed to meet these issues head-on and can help you quickly realize higher quality, greater reliability, and a rapid return on investment.
This detailed white paper describes MPEG‑4 live video streaming for those network professionals who are already familiar with VBrick products and technology. It explains the differences between MPEG‑1, MPEG‑2 and MPEG‑4 and the different ways you can receive an MPEG‑4 stream. It also address firewalls, synchronization, and other network‑related topics.
This white paper explains how to use two VBrick network appliances, two ordinary video cameras, and two ordinary projectors to produce high-definition 3D video. This paper has step-by-step instructions that will let you produce stunning 3D video for boardrooms, trade shows, public spaces, and other environments.
This white paper explains some of the differences between analog and digital systems. If your goal is to deliver high quality audio/video, this paper can help you decide how to leverage your existing assets and determine which technology can meet your needs for a reliable high-speed network with the lowest total cost of ownership.
This white paper explains the concepts and technology of closed captioning and provides examples of the different ways closed captioning can be used to enhance a stream. For example, it explains the differences between overlay mode and text mode and can help you decide the best way to implement closed captioning on your own network.
This white paper addresses common concerns, perceptions, issues, and solutions as they relate to sending MPEG video over modern networks. It explains how to eliminate bandwidth concerns completely and deploy high-quality video over virtually any network. By using multicast and conventional network planning, you can stream DVD-quality video to an unlimited number of users in virtually any broadband network.
This detailed white paper for network professionals explains how to deliver DVD-quality MPEG‑2 video over ATM networks using IP. This solution provides seamless ATM‑to‑Ethernet, end-to-end, one-way, or two-way DVD‑quality television. It also reduces complexity, preserves the Quality of Service, eliminates network edge devices.
This white paper provides an introduction to the terminology, concepts, and technology of MPEG video. It explains video resolution and bandwidth, frame rate, motion vectors, and other common terminology that can help you make informed decisions when you are considering adding video to your network.
This white paper provides a brief overview of the concepts and techniques used to deploy video in a multicast-enabled network. In a multicast network there is no point-to-point transmission of a stream and the overall impact of video on your network is minimal. You transmit one stream to multiple clients thereby saving an enormous amount of bandwidth.
