-- Cost-effective, future-proof transcoding solution offers high-quality video output and delivers best-in-class value to customers 

LONDON, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the media and entertainment (M&E) video transcoders market, Frost & Sullivan recognises AmberFin with the 2013 Global Customer Value Enhancement Award. The company's iCR transcoding system supports a wide array of media formats whilst delivering the correctly formatted subtitle, caption and ancillary data, with a rich feature set that fits easily into any broadcast workflow. AmberFin's quality control measures also execute detailed checks, improving the quality of the final deliverable and minimising errors and problems.

Specialising in high-quality encoding at the creation end of content workflows, AmberFin has seen robust growth – from nascence to occupying the number 2 position in the production segment of the M&E transcoders market – in a span of five years. This exceptional growth, despite a challenging economy in Europe and in a field of formidable and stalwart competitors, is in large measure due to the value enhancement that AmberFin provides to its customers in the broadcasting, movie making and post-production communities.

"AmberFin provides a best-in-class value proposition for file-based transcoding applications, particularly those where maintaining flawless video quality is an absolute priority and competitive imperative," explained Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Avni Rambhia. "The company successfully combines high video quality which sets the tone for all downstream operations and automated quality control which maximises throughput efficiency with cost-conscious product strategy and future-proof software based designs."

AmberFin specialises in high-quality encoding at the creation end of content workflows. It has seen the most successful in the U.S. market, where Internet video business models are relatively mature and focus on quality is the highest. However, the company is starting to see a positive trend in Europe and Asia as companies upgrade from tape workflows to high efficiency, high quality digital workflows to stay competitive."

AmberFin's unique Unified Quality Control (UQC) approach improves the effectiveness and efficiency of quality-related decision-making during the processes of file creation and transformation. It maximises throughput speed and minimises human resource overhead requirements, enabling customers to increase the speed and profitability of their operations while lowering the cost of bringing new content into a digital business.

Unlike competitors that are slashing list prices by as much as 25 to 30 per cent to cater to cost-conscious companies, AmberFin has developed "lite" versions of its iCR product, such as those specifically designed to provide only AS11-DPP functionality or XDCAM functionality.

"In doing so, the company avoids systemic price cuts to its premium-priced flagship products while also being able to serve developing and struggling geographical markets," explained Rambhia. "AmberFin also works to win mindshare with these relatively inexperienced companies through a series of educational outreach and information-driven marketing initiatives."

Finally, AmberFin's solutions are designed with an eye to the future. Its software-based transcoders can be upgraded and extended as specifications evolve and new technology is adopted.

In recognition of the unquestionable value AmberFin offers its M&E clients, Frost & Sullivan presents it with the 2013 Global Customer Value Enhancement Award. Each year, this award is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment from services or products. The award recognises the company's inordinate focus on enhancing the value that its customers receive, beyond simply good customer service, leading to improved customer retention and ultimately customer base expansion.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About AmberFin

AmberFin is a company at the heart of solving file-based workflow problems for content owners, broadcasters, sports organizations and post-production houses. The AmberFin Media Factory, based on the iCR family of modular software products, digitizes and transforms new and archived content, combining a service oriented design philosophy with intelligent use of cost-effective generic IT. This enables customers to save time, increase revenues and grow in-line with business demands. Unique to the Media Factory system, AmberFin's industry first approach to Quality Control, known as Unified Quality Control (UQC), introduces a QC mark that brings a new level of trust to media assets. UQC uniquely combines an automated process with a human touch, enabling more efficient and effective decision-making and new levels of confidence in the file creation and transformation processes. AmberFin has hundreds of iCR systems being deployed worldwide. Systems that are trusted where quality matters by some of the world's leading media organizations including HBO, Associated Press, Reuters, WWE, ITV, Sony Pictures, NBA, Turner Broadcasting, ZDF, NRK, National Geographic, BT, Discovery and Warner Brothers.

About Frost & Sullivan

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Contact:
Emily Bailey
Best Practices
Frost & Sullivan
emily.bailey@frost.com
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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan