Streaming Video Alliance Gets to Work on VR

The Streaming Video Alliance, a  cross-industry group formed in late 2014 that counts Comcast and Liberty Global  among its members, said it has added a study group focused on virtual reality and 360-degree video.

SVA said VR and 360 video has “the potential to revolutionize the video experience,” but argued that widespread adoption will be challenged by a lack of industry standards.

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The working group will aim to identify opportunities for developing best practices around VR, and expects to issue a report on its findings in Q2 2017.

SVA announced the new working group amid the start of its quarterly member meeting, hosted by Level 3 Communications this week in Denver.

SVA also said its Quality of Experience Working Group plans to finalize documents for distribution to the CTA, and its Open Caching Working  Group will be in member voting.

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The group also announced that Adobe has joined the SVA. Other Alliance members include Arris, Cedexis, Charter Communications, Ciena, Cisco Systems, Comcast, Concurrent Computer Corp., Conviva, Encompass TV, Ericsson, Fox Networks, Hughes Satellite Systems, IneoQuest, Intel, Irdeto, Level 3 Communications, Limelight Networks, MediaMelon, MLBAM, Mobolize, Nagra, NBCU, NeuLion, Nice People at Work, Nokia, Nominum, Ownzones, Qwilt, Sky, System73, Telecom Italia, Telstra, Ustream (now part of IBM), ViaPlay, ViaSat Inc., Verimatrix, Verizon, Vubiquity, Wowza Media Systems and Yahoo.