"The Flash Platform is the best way to deliver web video and rich media applications to the widest audience on the Internet," said Tom Hale (pictured), Macromedia's SVP and general manager, as Macromedia today announced Flash Media Server 2.

"For streaming video integrated into the web experience, there is no better choice than Flash Media Server 2," Hale added.

Flash Media Server 2 is the foundation for delivering both recorded and live Flash Video in large-scale deployments such as video on demand, live web broadcasts, MP3 streaming, video blogging, and video/audio chat applications.

"The new release introduces new scalable Edge-Origin servers, an optional, enterprise-ready architecture that simplifies load balancing, failover, and clustering to ensure greater reliability and scalability of streaming rich interactive experiences even during peak traffic times," explained Hale. He continued:

"Flash Media Server 2 has a unique programmable streaming environment that includes a robust API for precise code control over media streams, assets, and featureslike custom interactivity, user authentication, and bandwidth detectionto deliver truly distinct user experiences. Flash Media Server 2 video experiences take advantage of the new high-quality video codec in Flash Player 8, complete with automatic detection of the clients bandwidth connection and capability to adjust the stream accordingly."

Flash Media Server operates across standard Windows or Linux servers, and integrates with existing databases, and web and data services. Expanded extensibility functionality enables customers to manage XML-based media meta-data, access local system resources, and control logging and reporting for tighter integration with existing media ingest and management systems.

"At HGTVPro, our main challenge is to create an engaging broadband video application that can accommodate the evolving needs of the end-user and those of our advertisers," said Tim O'Hare, Flash developer, Scripps Networks. "Using Macromedia Flash Media Server 2 with Macromedia Flash Professional gives us the advantage of creating and presenting HGTVPro's broad range of interactive content to our audience. Flash Media Server 2 now provides enhanced new options for streaming Flash Video, letting us deploy a greater array of content that can be viewed across multiple platforms. With the most interactivity and creative control, Flash Video offers online content that just isn't possible through any other media player," Scripps continued.

Macromedia Flash Media Server 2 pricing is based on configuration and number of licenses. Prices start at $4,500 for a two-CPU configuration Professional Edition license. Expected to ship in October, Flash Media Server 2 is the next generation of Macromedia Flash Communication Server. Customers with current Flash Communication Server maintenance contracts are entitled to free upgrades to Flash Media Server 2. The Flash Media Server 2 public beta will be available in September. To learn more: http://www.macromedia.com/go/fmsannounce/.

Flash Media Server 2 is also available through select hosting providers to customers who prefer to outsource their media deployments. (For further information: http://www.macromedia.com/go/fvss.)

Flash Media Server 2 complements the recently announced Macromedia Flash Professional 8 and Flash Player 8, making the Flash Platform what Macromedia calls "the leading solution for creating and delivering interactive rich-media applications across browsers and operating systems of all kinds."

Macromedia will demonstrate Flash Media Server 2 during the IBC2005 Exhibition at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, starting today, September 9, through September 14 (in Hall 7, Stand 118).