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Business Wire

Axiom Open Suite and Next Generation Hybrid Memory/Disk MediaCluster Provide More Flexibility and Economy to Deliver Sophisticated Video Services

SeaChange International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEAC) today introduced its next-generation video delivery platform, extending the capabilities of its proven VOD (video-on-demand) System to support a wider array of advanced video applications for cable operators and telephone companies. Leveraging the advantages of IP technologies, the new SeaChange IP Video System includes Axiom, its new open video operations service software and new memory-based video servers.

Fully compatible with existing SeaChange installations, the new IP Video Systems give broadband service providers new options in the rapid deployment of high-value video services. The System reflects the Company's expertise derived from the delivery of over 100 million on-demand sessions per month. It is designed for emerging IP video applications that extend beyond the digital television settop box to support the radical expansion of video applications that is occurring today.

"The worldwide growth in broadband network access is bringing about significant new revenue opportunities in video services through television, telephony and PC applications," said Bill Styslinger, president and CEO, SeaChange International. "Through its extensive deployments, SeaChange has distinguished its expertise in high-bandwidth video applications and is working to help its customers leverage video across these platforms in ways never before possible."

Next-Generation Platform

The SeaChange IP Video System includes the introduction of the new SeaChange Axiom(TM) video operations services software (VOSS), which leverages the latest IT and digital television standards. Together with SeaChange's new hybrid MediaCluster servers, it forms a pre-integrated system that provides the industry's most economical and reliable platform for delivering a range of services that span the intake and delivery of HD (High Definition) video content on-demand, as well as DVDs, scheduled broadcasts, video games, targeted advertising, network DVR and a wealth of PC applications. While the SeaChange IP Video System is designed as a complete platform, its conformance to standards and its open APIs also enable customers to choose a multi-vendor solution.

"SeaChange will deliver solutions for network operators to enhance every consumer service type on every kind of consumer electronics device, such as network storage for home applications and mobile media players, as well as tangential hospitality services, education on demand and other applications envisioned by network operators," said Joseph Ambeault, director of broadband systems, SeaChange. "SeaChange's new IP Video System is an open and modular platform that handles the complex requirements of on-demand television and serves as an engine for the growth of compelling new video applications."

IT Level Network Management

At the heart of the IP Video System is the SeaChange Axiom VOSS, an open, comprehensive management platform that automates the control, execution and monitoring of the delivery of system-wide video applications. Like the previous generation Command Center, Axiom is pre-integrated with SeaChange's durable MediaCluster(TM) video servers, broadband networks and digital settop boxes supporting the fastest time to market with new subscriber applications. Axiom is the first VOSS to provide a completely automated IT approach to system-wide management in a multi-vendor environment, supporting any standards-compliant network equipment, servers or clients to ensure complete flexibility for network operators.

Axiom operational software administers the video network functions, including storage, streaming and application network services - providing seamless access for client applications.

Fundamentally:

-- Axiom globally manages sessions and resources for all video services and ensures that content and network bandwidth are optimized;

-- Axiom provides sophisticated SNMP monitoring and management tools for complete purview into the operation of the infrastructure, including system components and their processes for engineering and operations staff;

-- Axiom provides an easy integration point for subscriber applications, like VOD and switched broadcast, to access network services. Stream requests from clients are routed through Axiom, which determines the most optimal delivery network path and sets up the sessions - making content accessibility and bandwidth management transparent to client applications.

VOD's Most Deployed Server Line Now Includes the Highest Performance Memory-Based System Available

This quarter SeaChange begins shipping its memory-based MediaCluster video servers, which operate together with customers' disk-based systems to provide a cost-effective balance of streaming and storage.

On-demand usage is increasing dramatically and program libraries are growing well into thousands of hours. Delivering further flexibility and economy in VOD operations, SeaChange's Hybrid MediaCluster(TM) provides memory caching for the most popular content, while storing the vast majority across cost-efficient DRAM (dynamic random-access memory), solid state drives and hard disks. Now, memory-based servers can be easily integrated with existing disk-based deployments to take advantage of SeaChange's "single-copy" advantage as viewer traffic and content libraries increase. Combined with SeaChange's content propagation software, distributed Hybrid MediaCluster servers support existing network bandwidth allocations, rather than requiring extensive network enhancements to support video streams.

"Our hybrid approach applies memory-based video in a pragmatic way that meets the high streaming requirements of hit movies and provides the economy of disks to serve the 'ocean of blue' -- the vast selection of other content that supports proven video business models," said Bill Styslinger.

A key attribute of SeaChange's open MediaCluster architecture is the ability to employ best available off-the-shelf disks and, now, memory to consistently deliver the industry's most economical, fault-resilient video storage and streaming platform. At two rack units high, a Hybrid MediaCluster server provides 12Gb/s of stream throughput in 1GigE and 10GigE network settings. A single cluster stores up to 60,000 hours of on-demand content and easily combines with other clusters to store 500,000 hours. Independently scalable disks and memory ensure the best price and performance today and for future requirements.

Designed for plug-and-play VOD support, Hybrid MediaClusters are compatible with the hundreds of SeaChange VOD Systems deployed for HFC and IP operators since 2000.

Next week SeaChange will feature the Axiom video operations services software and the Hybrid MediaCluster server at the NCTA National Show (San Francisco, April 3-5) in booth 5874.

About SeaChange

First deployed in 2000 and now supporting over 100 broadband networks delivering video services, SeaChange's VOD servers and software are the foundation for the majority of commercial on-demand television services around the world. In 2004, the National Television Academy awarded the first-ever Emmy to SeaChange for accomplishments enabling on-demand's widespread availability. Additionally, its server systems are supporting the storage and delivery of video content for hundreds of broadcasters, studios and television networks around the world.

SeaChange provides digital video systems that are changing television. Its powerful server and software systems enable television operators to provide new on-demand services and to gain greater efficiencies in advertising and content delivery. With its Emmy-winning MediaCluster technology, thousands of SeaChange systems are helping broadband, broadcast and satellite television companies to streamline operations, expand services and increase revenues. SeaChange is headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts and has product development, support and sales offices throughout the world. Visit www.schange.com.

MediaCluster, SeaChange Axiom and SeaChange Hybrid MediaCluster are trademarks of SeaChange International, Inc.