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Earthnoise gets Intel backing for video hosting From the451.com
August 17, 2000
Under the agreement, Intel will bundle Earthnoise's software for capturing
video and compressing it into streaming format on a promotional CD included
in its new Pocket PC webcam launched this week, which can shoot up to two
minutes of video.
The agreement comes three months after Spotlife, the main competitor to
Earthnoise, reached a similar distribution deal with Logitech and its
QuickCam Internet camera. According to PC Data, the market research group,
Earthnoise leads the emerging video hosting service companies with 317,000
unique users in July, compared with 90,000 for Spotlife.
Elan Dekel, founder and president of Earthnoise, said the Intel deal was a
"very good response" to Spotlife's pact with Logitech. "The fact that these
two major players are backing us is definitely a validation of the quality
of
our technology and solutions," he added.
Earthnoise's relationship with RealNetworks has earned it a prominent spot
on
the streaming leader's products. The full version of the RealPlayer version
8
features a link to Earthnoise's site. Several links to Earthnoise will soon
be implanted at various locations on RealNetwork's website.
Earthnoise offers video hosting packages designed for the low-end consumer
market. Its services do not only target webcam owners. Subscribers can send
the company an analog videotape via regular post, and Earthnoise encodes the
content for hosting at its server farm in Santa Clara, California. Consumers
are given 50MB of free hosting space, for 22 minutes of video, and can
purchase 200MB for $5 a month. Commercial memberships cost up to $50 a
month. Once hosted, the company provides users with an array of editing and video
email tools.
The company has secured nearly $9m in venture financing. The $1.45m seed
round was led by Israel Seed Partners, a leading Israeli VC, and
Entertainment Media Ventures of the US. America Online participated in the
following $7.6m funding round in March.
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