G&L wird Mitglied der Streaming Video Technology Alliance (SVTA)

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As a systems integrator and managed service provider in the dynamic world of video streaming, G&L has always been committed to staying ahead of the curve. We continuously monitor emerging technologies, engage in technical discussions, and collaborate with key players in the industry. That’s why we’re excited to announce our official membership in the Streaming Video Technology Alliance (SVTA), a leading organization that brings together the streaming community to define technical best practices and standards.

A natural fit: from DASH-IF to the SVTA

Our path to the SVTA began with our membership in the DASH Industry Forum (DASH-IF). As a contributing member, we gained valuable insights into the development of the DASH protocol and implemented advanced features – such as multi-language audio, HDR, and multi-codec streaminginto customer projects early on.

But it wasn’t just about technology. Community mattered to us, too. Each year during IBC, the DASH-IF networking event was a true highlight on the industry calendar. In 2023 and 2024, we organized a unique "Streaming Shuttle" boat ride through Amsterdam’s canals, taking our industry friends from the IBC venue to the DASH-IF party, creating a memorable platform for connection and collaboration. We’re already planning the next trip for 2025.

With DASH-IF now part of the SVTA, our focus has broadened significantly. Topics such as player architectures, CDN strategies, and operational models for live and on-demand streaming align perfectly with our day-to-day work. The SVTA is a great match for our role as a systems integrator, and we look forward to contributing our experience and learning from the wider community.

Solving peak capacity challenges

One of the biggest pain points we see in the streaming world today is ensuring reliable and cost-effective peak capacity for large-scale live events, especially across all relevant ASNs. The industry has recently witnessed the exit of several major CDN providers – Highwinds/Stackpath, Lumen (formerly Level 3), and Edgio – shrinking overall market capacity by hundreds of terabits per second.

At G&L, we’ve responded with proven strategies. Working closely with our long-standing partner Akamai, one of the few highly profitable CDN providers still operating at scale, we design and operate both single-CDN and sophisticated multi-CDN setups tailored to each customer’s needs. Insights and recommendations from the SVTA regularly inform these architectural decisions.

Looking ahead, we believe that AI will play a transformative role in bandwidth optimization. The next generation of codecs may lean on AI-based encoding techniques that reduce data requirements without compromising quality – almost like a MIDI file for video. This shift could redefine how we stream at scale.

Why the SVTA matters – to the industry and to us

Organizations like the SVTA serve a vital function in today’s fast-moving media landscape. They bring together the industry's top minds to solve real-world technical challenges. Through its working groups, the SVTA develops recommendations, best practices, and standards that enhance interoperability and move the entire ecosystem forward. Just as importantly, it provides a clear and credible voice to communicate these developments beyond the technical circles.

A prime example is the Common Media Library (CML), an SVTA-led initiative to provide a standardized, modular JavaScript utility library for media playback. It reduces development effort, improves compatibility, and speeds up time to market. CML showcases how collaborative standardization fosters both efficiency and innovation.

For us, the SVTA is a true knowledge hub, offering reliable technical guidance and valuable peer exchange. It’s like having an experienced mentor by your side who guides you through the complexities of modern streaming architectures.

Looking ahead: from insight to impact

We’re particularly interested in the Streaming Sports Council and the Streaming Video Operations Working Group, both closely aligned with the needs of our customers and our technical strengths. As an integrator of complex infrastructure, we’re eager to contribute our field-tested knowledge while gaining new perspectives.

Joining the SVTA isn’t just a milestone for us – it’s a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continual learning. We’re thrilled to be part of this vibrant community and excited for what lies ahead.