The process began in July with IFilm selecting a short-list of four stream hosting companies. IFilm created a sample content file and gave each company 6 different versions of it: 3 different bitrates of RealPlayer video and 3 different bitrates of WindowsMedia video. The stream hosts in turn supplied Streamcheck with URLs to those streams. The 24 URLs were entered into the Streamcheck system and monitored throughout the month of August. Each stream was checked for 60 seconds 10 times per hour from 12 different cities. At the end of the trial staff from Streamcheck and IFilm poured over the results to understand the difference between the contenders.
In the end, a decision was made based on several factors including price, features and the quality measurements taken from Streamcheck. After coordinating the effort, Blair Harrison, IFilm CTO, said "Streaming content is a key feature of our site and our audience expects a high quality experience with every stream they select. We knew that the biggest factor in streaming quality is the stream hosting company so it was imperative that we made the right choice. Streamcheck was the ideal solution to provide us with objective information to help with that choice."
About IFilm:
IFILM is the most comprehensive guide to find and watch feature and short films online. The IFILM network provides consumers the largest online video on demand library in the world, programmed in genre specific movie channels by film and editorial experts. As the definitive online film portal with over 80,000 films, IFILM offers news, reviews, trailers and movie showcases, as well as robust user communities and a comparison DVD and video shopping guide. Through partnerships with AMC Theatres, TiVo, Yahoo!, and the Independent Film Channel, IFILM delivers filmmakers a global audience of passionate movie enthusiasts. IFILM has also partnered with The Independent Film Channel to produce IFILM@IFC, a weekly television series dedicated to covering the world of independent film. IFILM also services the entertainment industry professional with online market research at IFILM/OTX (otx.ifilm.com), and essential data, trade books and directories--including the renowned Hollywood Creative Directory--through IFILMpublishing.
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