UniqCast uC18: Elevating Your IPTV/OTT/DVB Service to New Heights

As an existing or potential customer in the ever-evolving world of video streaming services, you understand the critical importance of staying ahead of the curve. Your viewers demand exceptional experiences, and your success hinges on delivering content seamlessly and efficiently. That's why we're excited to introduce UniqCast uC18, the latest version of our IPTV/OTT/DVB platform designed with your business goals in mind.

Cross-Login Feature: Seamless Authentication Across Devices

In today's multi-device world, simplicity is paramount. With uC18, we've introduced the Cross-Login Feature, redefining authentication for your users. Whether they're switching between their set-top box (STB), mobile, web, or smart TV, it's as easy as entering a PIN code or scanning a QR code. For operators, this means reduced friction in multi-platform usage and simplified customer support. Subscribers can enjoy a unified, hassle-free streaming experience without juggling multiple passwords or enduring lengthy login procedures. It's all about enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.

In-App Purchases & Payments: Streamlined Premium Content Access

Monetization just got more accessible. uC18 introduces In-App Purchases, allowing users to buy premium content seamlessly within OTT apps. Integration with payment services like Google Play Billing and Apple's App Store Connect ensures end-to-end purchase flows, secure payment processing, and transaction tracking. Boost your revenue while providing users with a convenient, frictionless path to premium content.

STB - The Power of Integration

Our integration prowess shines through with the hybrid DVB/OTT SEI Robotics STB Integration. By following Google's TIF standard, we've unlocked a world of possibilities. This integration covers player support, live channel switching, audio/subtitling options, DVB scanning, and even custom metadata display during playout. We've also enhanced the user interface, making DVB-T/S channel scans smoother and offering better network time detection. With these improvements, you can provide your viewers with a more reliable and engaging experience.

Mosaic Grid Customization: Tailoring for Precision

Operators take control of your channel grid. uC18 allows you to adjust the dimensions of each mosaic channel's grid, ensuring perfect alignment. It's about making your interface as user-friendly as possible and enhancing the visual appeal of your service.

Ad Tracking and Multiple Ads Support: Data-Driven Advertising

For the ad-focused, uC18 now tracks events included in VAST responses, sending them to the Ad Server. What's more, the app now supports multiple ads per advertisement block, maximizing your ad revenue potential. It's all about data-driven advertising that ensures the right message reaches the right audience.

Audio/Subtitle Preference Management: Personalized Streaming

Operators can define specific audio and subtitle languages, tailoring the experience to individual preferences. The system remembers user changes, ensuring a personalized and accessible viewing experience.

Recommended & Critical App Upgrade Notifications: Keeping Up to Date

Stay current effortlessly. Operators can notify users of available application updates, differentiating between recommended (upgrade or skip) and critical (upgrade or close) upgrades. It's about enhancing user experience and ensuring your service is always at its best.

Flutter - For a Mobile, Tablet, and Web Revolution

We've introduced passwordless login with Operator Recognition, auto-creating subscriber accounts without user interaction. The system recognizes the user's mobile network, allowing access only within specified network ranges based on SIM card details, enhancing security. The TV-Store feature has been reimagined, offering a one-stop shop for service options and products accessible across multiple devices. Browser Password Memory streamlines login with autofill, making the process quicker and more convenient. And with uCast companion support for trailer casting, users can seamlessly cast VOD trailers to their STBs, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience. Feature also includes uCast long-press actions, i.e. direct playout without controller, on the trailer preview player offering an additional convenient method for starting the casting process.

Improved Stability and App Performance: A Seamless Experience

Count on us for an improved user experience across all platforms. We've worked on interaction, design, stability, and performance to make your service as seamless as possible. 

Smart TV: A New Era of Engagement

Enhanced VOD and an improved overall experience await your Smart TV users. We've introduced support for CSMS configuration of Smart TV Layouts, allowing operators to tailor the user experience specifically for Smart TVs, including a 'Lite' version optimized for low-performance devices. VIDAA Hisense support expands the range of supported platforms, reaching more viewers than ever before.

Backend - Powering Your Streaming Service

The heart of any robust IPTV/OTT service lies in its backend, and UniqCast uC18 brings a host of improvements that empower operators like never before.

Live Highlights & Highlight Event Manager: A Game-Changer for Sports Fans

For sports (and not just sports) enthusiasts and content consumers, we've introduced a game-changing feature – Live Highlights & Highlight Event Manager. Now, you can enjoy real-time sports highlights and automatic highlights generation for live events. This feature takes your viewing experience to a whole new level, ensuring you never miss a thrilling moment.

Akamai and Cloudflare Integration and CDN Enhancements: Global Reach with Minimal Latency

Imagine the power of extending your content delivery capabilities globally with minimal latency. UniqCast uC18 introduces seamless integration with industry-leading CDN providers, Akamai and Cloudflare. Operators can now choose their global reach, optimize cloud configurations, and offer low-latency streaming options, thanks to advanced CDN technology. Your viewers will experience less buffering and higher-quality streaming, no matter where they are in the world.

uStatia - Empowering Operators with Data Insights

The new version of uStatia isn't just an upgrade; it's a leap forward in backend performance and data analytics. The expanded dashboard offers a range of new visualizations and reports that provide invaluable insights:

• Churn Statistics: Understand viewer trends and engagement levels.
• Concurrent Subscribers: Identify peak viewing times with real-time data.
• Most Viewed Content: Stay updated on the hottest shows and movies.
• Newly Registered Users: Track platform growth with new sign-up data.
• High and Low Consumption Users: Recognize your most engaged users and those who need a nudge.
• User Activity Based on Actions: Monitor user interactions to measure platform engagement.

Streaming Server Upgrades: A Smoother Viewing Experience

Improving your viewers' experience is at the core of uC18. We've implemented enhanced bandwidth tolerance algorithms to accommodate fluctuating bandwidth, reducing interruptions and buffering. Additionally, a more robust error-handling system ensures quicker issue resolution for a more stable streaming experience.

Content Management Updates: Flexibility and Control

We understand that flexibility and control are paramount in content management. With uC18, we've expanded your options:

Non-NFS Transcoding Support via Webdav: We've added Webdav support, offering a more flexible range of transcoding possibilities.

Granular DRM Provider Selection: An intuitive interface for DRM selection gives operators better control over content protection.

CP Mono Thumbnail and Screenshot Support: Simplified thumbnail and live screenshot generation.

Multiple File Format Support: The latest update accommodates more file formats, offering greater flexibility in the types of content you can offer.

Backend Performance Tuning: A More Efficient Backend Operation

To keep your backend running smoothly, we've optimized data queries, ensuring quicker and more accurate data retrieval. Expanded Prometheus functionality offers a fuller understanding of system health, helping administrators detect issues before they become critical. Automatic cache invalidation ensures faster response times, while enhancements in file synchronization lead to a more efficient backend operation.

User Interface & Experience Enhancements: Simplifying Platform Management

We've paid attention to the details that matter. Improved image uploads with enhanced validation, expanded CSMS Administration Subscriber overview with filtering options, and UI/UX upgrades in CM Admin, including an updated Channel List, Transcoding Input Forms, and VOD deletion options – all designed to simplify platform management and enhance the user experience.

UniqCast uC18 isn't just an update; it's a game-changer. It's about simplifying authentication, enhancing monetization, optimizing integration, and elevating user experiences. It's about staying ahead in the competitive world of video streaming services. Embrace uC18, and elevate your IPTV/OTT service to new heights.