New PDK 4 Offers Better Performance, User Experiences, and Syndication Options
The newest version of thePlatform’s Player Development Kit has arrived. PDK 4 was completely rebuilt to make it faster and more flexible than ever before. The Kit can help you implement many of the newest trends in design, delivery, and syndication, making it one of the most advanced player development environments in the marketplace.
New Performance Features
While our PDK players were already some of the fastest-loading players in the industry, the new player is dramatically faster. Our tests have shown PDK 4 to load up to 50% faster than PDK 3.7. With a total file size for the Flash player to be about 176 KB, it is between 15% and 34% smaller than the players from other video management system providers.
We achieved these dramatic performance improvements by applying the lessons we’ve learned from years of building and supporting Flash video players. We optimized the component delivery process so that our player components load into the canvas more efficiently and faster. Additionally, PDK 4 takes advantage of all the speed, flexibility, and technological infrastructure provided by the latest version of Adobe ActionScript 3.0.
New User Experience Features
Larger online video audiences bring greater competition from bigger and better-funded video sites. Our services give you the tools you need to exceed your audience’s expectations with the most innovative and compelling video viewing experience in the market. PDK 4 makes this even easier than before with customizable control rack features such as unique buttons, volume controls, multiple rows, and floating playback controls.
We also developed a new skinning model that is smarter and easier to implement. HTML users can develop modern new skins that grab attention, and Flash developers have more freedom than ever. We also now offer support for multiple components, allowing you to include multiple feeds or players in the same player canvas.
Check out the floating controls and multiple feeds in action
New Player Syndication Features
Use of social networks, blogs, and promotional video is increasing daily. PDK 4 helps you take advantage of this trend by syndicating your video player out into the web while maintaining control over the video viewing experience.
New embedding capabilities let you to place your entire video player experience with all of its features, add-ins, and components into a single SWF file for sharing out to sites such as social networks and blogs. We also offer a Promotional Player that gives you the power to create a single distributable SWF that you can post to partner sites or affiliate networks.
See how you can embed a player with a single URL
Documentation
Worried about facing an all new player environment? Don’t be. We have new PDK Documentation including a new User’s Guide (for HTML-level edits) and a Developer’s Guide (for more advanced programming and customization). We also include effectively-commented sample canvases to get you started.
See the new PDK 4 documentation (you will have to log in).
PDK 4 also offers the following all-new features:
- More live streaming options including support for all known types of Akamai live streams and Limelight live streaming.
- Improved Move Networks integration means we support the next generation of Move Networks and total “full screen” view.
- New plugin type allows for control rack customization and the addition of partner buttons and custom controls.
- More structured development environment improves supportability and the upgrade experience.
PDK 4 Partner Plugins
Several of our leading partners have already upgraded their plugins to PDK 4:
GlanceGuide,LiveRail, BlackArrow, adap.tv , and Tremor Media.
Our partners have great things to say about PDK 4:
“Helping thePlatform’s customers more easily monetize their content is a strategic priority for Tremor Media, and our Acudeo plugin to the Player Development Kit 4.0 is the means to that end. The architecture, new features, and methodology followed by thePlatform in designing the PDK made for a clear and concise plugin development process.”
Charles Parra, Senior Director of Product Management for Tremor Media
“We’re definitely excited about how much easier it is to develop with the new PDK now that it’s in ActionScript 3.0 – great update!”
Ben Porterfield, Product Marketing Manager at BlackArrow (http://blackarrow.tv/).
Learn more about our partners.
Best of all, PDK 4 is still free for customers of thePlatform. If you’re already using the PDK, you can download the PDK 4 release from the Technical Resource Center. If you’ve never used the PDK and want to get started, or to obtain partner plugins for PDK 4, contact your Account Manager at thePlatform.
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