SeaChange Unveils Flash Memory Video Server Platform for Broadcast Television Operations

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TV Solutions Leader Achieves Unmatched Reliability in Breakthrough Flash Memory and MediaCluster Combo

ACTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Providing a dramatic new means of increasing television operators' play-to-air reliability and lowering operating costs, SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) today introduced its Broadcast Flash Memory Library FML200, a flash memory-based ingest and play-to-air solution that sets a new benchmark in reliability and economy. With no moving parts, the breakthrough server is 100 times more reliable and consumes 10 times less power than spinning disk-based counterparts, greatly mitigating failures, rebuilds, replacements and other disk-related threats.

By supplementing or even eliminating spinning disks in the on-air chain, the system is the first solution of its kind and is immediately available for television operators worldwide. SeaChange will demonstrate the FML200 at NAB2008 in April. It improves reliability while consuming less power, generating less heat and less noise than disk-based servers, all of which directly contribute to significantly lower operating costs. Combining flash memory with SeaChange's patented MediaCluster server architecture, the FML200 is not only unsurpassed in play-to-air reliability, but also offers IP-centric connectivity that is ideal for seamless integration with the file-based workflows that customers are building to get their content on air faster.

"The availability of a flash-based broadcast server represents a seismic shift at the heart of television operations," said Chris West, vice president of broadcast, SeaChange International. "The ultra-reliable, compact and efficient nature of flash technology means far fewer headaches and much greater operating efficiencies for operations of all sizes. Our customers are beginning to catch on that the Flash introduction is bearing the same kind of dramatic performance improvement that resulted from the introduction of our MediaCluster technology."

Patented Clustering for More Advantages

Unmatched broadcast operations savings are enabled by combining the FML200 with SeaChange's MediaCluster technology, which eliminates the need for expensive mirroring and duplicate files. This creates a one-of-a-kind cost effective, easily managed solution that exceeds 99.999% reliability. Elsewhere, SeaChange's powerful Flash Memory and MediaCluster pairing is already proving its advantages as a solution for expanding streaming and storage resources for video-on-demand television operations.

Occupying a compact 2RU footprint, the FML200 includes an array of 24 flash memory drives available in either 32GB or 64GB configurations. At full capacity, a six-node FML200 cluster puts 144 flash memory drives online, delivering more than 6.6TB of clustered RAID-5 protected storage. When combined with SeaChange MediaClient Series software codecs, broadcasters are afforded the flexibility to first establish a multichannel SD platform and later upgrade to HD, or simply build an HD workflow from the outset.

"I believe that flash technology represents a thoughtful alternative to hard disk drives, particularly in critical playout applications, when customers are more than normally concerned about deploying a fail-safe solution," said Douglas I. Sheer, CEO and chief analyst of DIS Consulting Corporation, publishers of Broadcast Servers World(TM) 2008. "We anticipate that as prices for flash chips continue to fall, flash-based server and storage systems will attract more converts."

SeaChange's range of proven content storage, streaming and management solutions, including the FML200 and its latest Broadcast MediaLibrary/Broadcast MediaClient play-to-air storage system and SD/HD software codecs, will be on display during NAB2008 at booth SU12011, April 14-17 in Las Vegas. Demonstrations will underscore why more than 100 broadcasters worldwide have made the BML/MCL their digital video foundation - and how FML200 can further extend their capabilities.

About SeaChange

SeaChange International, Inc. is the leading provider of end-to-end and best-of-breed solutions for the world's television industry. Its powerful video-on-demand and advertising software and scalable hardware enable broadband and broadcast television operators to provide new on-demand services and to gain greater efficiencies in advertising and content delivery. SeaChange customers are increasing their revenues and reducing churn based on the value-added video services from SeaChange's Emmy Award-winning and patented technology. Headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, SeaChange has product development, support and sales offices around the world. Visit www.schange.com.

Source: SeaChange International

Released March 3, 2008