Adobe Previews Flash Media Server 3 at IBC

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today unveiled new features that will headline the upcoming release of Adobe® Flash® Media Server 3. This major new release will offer the unique combination of traditional streaming media capabilities and a flexible environment for creating and delivering interactive social media applications to the broadest possible audience. Scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2008, customers can expect nearly double the previous performance, as well as new live event support, industry-standard H.264 video codec and AAC+ audio codec support, and increased protection for streamed media. Adobe will preview Adobe Flash Media Server 3 during the IBC 2007 Exhibition at its stand (Hall 7, Stand 721) in the RAI Convention Center, Amsterdam, September 7-11. For more information, please visit www.adobe.com/go/fms3_faq .

Adobe Flash Media Server 3 will also support live and recorded streaming to Adobe Flash® Lite™ 3, Adobe’s award-winning Flash Player runtime specifically designed for mobile phones. Adobe Flash Lite 3 will bring the Adobe Flash Player video format from the desktop to mobile handsets and devices, enabling operators, handset manufacturers and developers alike to deliver more engaging experiences to mobile users. Adobe expects the first Flash Lite 3 enabled devices to be available by the end of the year.

“As video on the Web accelerates, audiences around the world expect more reliable, high-quality experiences that live up to and surpass television,” said Jim Guerard, vice president of Dynamic Media at Adobe. “By utilizing the performance gains, increased content protection and a better out-of-the box experience in Flash Media Server 3, publishers can quickly and more securely integrate video into their Web sites and applications with more control over playback, interactivity, and branding.”

Adobe Flash Media Server 3 is the foundation for delivering both recorded and live Adobe Flash Player compatible video and complements Adobe Flash® Professional CS3, Adobe Flash® Player 9, Adobe Media Player® and Adobe Integrated Runtime™ (AIR). This makes the Flash ecosystem the only ubiquitous online and offline video solution for creating and delivering interactive rich media applications across a wide range of browsers and operating systems.

Today, television shows like Last Comic Standing, Medium, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien are being delivered online thanks to Adobe Flash Player video, while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

The Foundation for Social Media
Customers can develop and deploy a wide variety of social media applications with Adobe Flash Media Server 3, including video, audio/video messaging and blogging, live audio/video chat, text chats, datacasting, and multi-user gaming. The new release introduces enhanced live event support with the upcoming release of Adobe Flash Media Encoder 2, crucial for news and event providers, as well as social media sites in order to deliver their content in real-time.

Integrated Content Protection
Adobe Flash Media Server 3 will offer a new encrypted protocol to help protect streamed content and provide support for the upcoming Adobe Media Player.

“One of the key components to NBC Universal’s digital strategy is to provide viewers with access to our content whenever and wherever they want,” said Darren Feher, EVP and chief technology officer, NBC Universal. “I am excited by the possibilities of Adobe Flash Media Server 3. Its promise of faster performance and legitimate content protection will be a welcomed addition to the ease, flexibility and ubiquity NBC Universal currently enjoys with Flash video across our broad array of online platforms.”

Major Performance Gains
Streaming performance almost doubles in Adobe Flash Media Server 3, allowing more streams and more users per server, helping to lower overall deployment costs. Building on the recently announced support for H.264 video codec and High Efficiency AAC+ (HE-AAC) audio, Adobe Flash Media Server 3 customers can now leverage most of their existing MPEG content directly without having to re-encode, helping reduce the cost of distributing via Adobe Flash Player compatible video. Users can enjoy higher-quality video experiences in the ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player, which is currently installed on 98 percent of internet-enabled desktops worldwide.

Availability
Adobe Flash Media Server 3 is expected to be available as a service through select partners in the fourth quarter of 2007 and for sale worldwide in the first quarter of 2008. For more information about Adobe Flash Media Server, please visit www.adobe.com/go/fms3_faq .

Adobe Flash Media Server 3 will also available through select hosting providers to customers who prefer to outsource their media deployments. To learn more about these programs, please visit www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/fvss/ .