Innovative media authoring
The tool has been based on the simple idea that an interactive programme is the set of interactive scenes. Employing a simple user interface, the user selects the video required for each scene in order to create the programme. The next step is the addition of interactive elements, including polls, trivia quiz and information layers along with the specification of their timing and the textual and/or image material. The tool offers unique possibilities of testing and evaluating intermediate results as well as customisation of interaction elements and addition of new elements if necessary. The complicated forms of various end-user devices, distribution channels and interactive video technologies are well hidden and this tool allows the simple deployment of programmes. The content editor focuses on two mouse actions, one for selection of targeting platform such as PDA or iTV and another for deploying the programme by clicking a button. Additionally, the Smartcast technology offers a fully scriptable and XML-based deployment environment that can be flexible and easily adaptable to existing content provider infrastructure. Furthermore, content can be played out on various devices supporting the MPEG-4 format using various players (RealPlayer, QuickTime and Windows Media Player with the Envivio MPEG-4 plug-in). The Smartcast Integrated Multimedia Production Line was developed by Lost Boys BV, and may provide full-featured production solutions. Moreover, the generic and fully technology-independent tool's programme description allows customisation to generate Flash MX, MHP, OpenTV or other formats. Various types of collaboration are sought and additional partners may vary including joint development partners, value added resellers,business consultants, system Integrators, rich media content producers and e-Learning providers.
