Orb (software)
Orb Networks | |
Stable release | 3.20.0035
/ October 4, 2012 |
---|---|
Media player, media center | |
License | Proprietary. Freeware for server, commercial shareware for portable players |
Website | www.orb.com |
Orb was a
In 2013, Orb Networks, Inc. announced that they were acquired by a strategic partner and would be shutting down operations.[6] Also in 2013, Co-founder Luc Julia indicated that Orb Networks' technology had been acquired by Qualcomm,[7] but no accompanying press release had been issued.
Orb's website (accessed May, 2014) announced: "...about a year ago Orb's team and technology were acquired by Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc." and "Orb Networks will no longer be offering any Orb software downloads or support for our web based products such as OrbLive and Mycast." The statement invited people to "check out Qualcomm's AllPlay media platform" but did not specify how Orb software may have been utilized.[8]
What it did
Orb was available for
Access to videos, audio, images
All the music, pictures and video files stored on a home computer are made available for streaming, provided that the computer is connected to the Internet. The media files are transcoded and streamed directly from that PC, or available for download with the use of a file explorer plug-in.
The current version of Orb can be used as a replacement for Microsoft's Windows Media Connect software for computers running the Windows operating system. This allows the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 consoles to access the videos, audios, and images on the computer with Orb installed, natively. This allows the user to also watch videos not in the Windows Media Video format without having previously re-transcoded their videos. Orb will transcode the video files from the computer on the fly as they are requested as long as the computer running Orb has the correct codec for doing so.[9]
Access to a tuner card or Webcam and Web-based DVR
If there is a TV tuner card installed on that PC, live TV is also available for streaming. Furthermore, Orb offers a DVR functionality, like a TiVo. One can schedule TV recordings and stream the recorded video files remotely via the Web-based interface.[10]
The same is true for a webcam (there is also a webcam surveillance feature).
Sharing
Orb also allows the user to share photos and videos without having to upload them to an online service. To do that, one has to select the files one wants to share, and enter the email address of the person that should have access to that data. That person will receive an email with a link to view the files.
Mobile phone usage
Supported mobile phones
Orb supports streaming to
.Adaptive streaming inside a LAN or to a mobile phone
Orb will detect the type of device being used, and adapt the stream according to your player availability and the network quality.[11]
For example, on the Nokia N80, Orb will use the native web browser and RealPlayer[12]
When the device used to connect is on the same local network as the PC where Orb is running, it will connect directly to the stream from the PC without going through the Internet (provided no
New features in Orb 2.0
Orb 2.0
Similar products
Similar solutions are Synology and Slingbox, which does not require a PC, but comes with its own hardware.
Another similar solution for remote access is ifunpix, which additionally includes tools to create and upload content to a personal mini-site support video as well as audio and music. Unlike Orb, iFunPix uses a proxy storage server between the user and the home computer which can help prevent attacks on the source computer. iFunPix is not able to stream live television.
There is also
References
- ^ Why Buy Sling Mobile When Orb is Free? mobilecrunch.com
- ^ 11 Killer Freebies for Your Pocket PC, lifehacker.com
- ^ "Orb Networks Gives Playstation 3 Gamers TV Access to All Their PCs' Digital Media". Archived from the original on 2007-03-17. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
- ^ Stream Orb content to your Xbox 360
- ^ "Turn Your TV into a Media Center". Archived from the original on 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
- ^ "Shutdown notice - Orb". www.orb.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-29.
- ^ http://lucjulia.com/
- ^ http://www.orb.com Archived 2015-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Use Orb to access media on your Xbox 360". Archived from the original on 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
- ^ Tech Review: Orb Lets You Watch Your Recorded Shows And Movies Over The Internet Archived 2006-11-03 at the Wayback Machine, blogcritics.org
- ^ Orb Stress Tested at 36,000 Feet, TechCrunch
- ^ Nokia First to Add Orb MyCasting Service; Premiers on Nokia N80 Internet Edition Archived 2006-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, Press Release
- ^ Orb 2.0 beta - more Web 2.0ish Archived 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine, pvrwire.com