MAM
Synamedia saves operators up to 50% of OTT costs with streaming aware machine-learning capabilities
MUMBAI: Synamedia, the world’s largest independent video software provider, today announced new automation capabilities for its Virtual Digital Content Manager (DCM) with Smart Rate Control that will save operators up to 50% of bandwidth and storage costs. Using machine-learning (ML) and Stream Video Quality™, Synamedia’s patented light weight and real-time quality metric technology, the solution automatically scales based on bandwidth requirements to minimize costs while providing consistently high video quality and without impacting the encoding computational complexity. It will debut at The 2019 NAB Showin Synamedia’s booth, #SU10125.
This new video processing technology automates the time-consuming activity of setting the quality level and cap bitrate by leveraging ML techniques. It can operate on the individual bitrate profile level, thus does not assume that two channels behave the same nor that the content of a channel is equally complex over the course of time, thereby providing greater flexibility and scale capabilities.
Currently, standard Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) solutions leverage output profiles that are set to constant bit rates with varying picture quality. This can often result in more bandwidth usage than is required due to varying quality level targets, such as switching from a high impact football game to a more static interview. Synamedia’s Virtual DCM with Smart Rate Control and Automation scales as needed according to bandwidth requirements, minimizing distribution and storage costs while ensuring that the expected high-quality viewer experience will not be compromised.
Operators looking to deploy on a large scale quickly benefit from Synamedia’s automation capabilities because the need for trial and error testing is eliminated. This is particularly important when distributing sports content, which can be inherently complex to encode due to the many movement variations that would traditionally require individual encoding settings. Synamedia’s Virtual DCM with Smart Rate Control and Automation sets target quality levels and bitrate caps per the ABR bitrate profile for each channel in a network. It also automatically makes adjustments when needed, thus eliminating deployment time, increasing bitrate efficiency, and uncovering new routes to cost savings. It also supports both H.264 and H.265 coding and is future-proofed for future codecs.
“Today, competition is fierce, and no one is more keenly aware of that than our customers. They need a competitive edge and they look to us to help them discover one. Our new Virtual DCM with Smart Rate Control and Automation delivers on that challenge head first,” said Julien Signes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Video Processing at Synamedia. “Operators tell us that our new automation capabilities are a first in the industry and can open up efficiency and scalability possibilities like never before. This is one of the many ways we help them win and keep viewers.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
