On October 13, Thudo Multimedia was honored to be one of the pioneering enterprises to receive a memorandum of cooperation between the Bureau of Business Development as part of the Project for Enhancing the Competitive Capacity of Private Sector in Vietnam (IPSC) at the forum “Entrepreneurial Spirit, Sustainable Innovation in Vietnam,” sponsored by the Ministry of Planning and Investment with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Hân (center), CEO of Thudo Multimedia, receiving the Morning Cooperation Minutes for pioneering enterprises.
As announced on October 7, 2022, Thudo Multimedia was one of the first six enterprises to receive the Premium Support Package from the USAID IPSC project to select pioneering enterprises with innovative Vietnamese products to compete in international markets. Among the selected businesses, there were companies in the technology sector such as Thủ Đô Multimedia and Mismart.
The USAID IPSC project is designed to help these businesses formulate a business strategy for the next 3-5 years to enhance their internal capacity, efficiently utilize external resources, and adapt and grow in the face of increasing market dynamics and business risks.
In the coming two years, the promised support package will serve as a crucial resource for Thủ Đô Multimedia, enabling the company to actively implement strategic activities, improve core management and operational capabilities, research and develop international market strategies for regions such as Europe and North America, and build and develop high-quality human resources through international partnerships with companies like Google and Amazon. Additionally, the support will include consultation on international standards certification such as FDA, ISO, BSI.
Thủ Đô Multimedia is renowned for being a pioneer in research and production of OTT television, TV Technology Solutions, Digital Rights Management (DRM) content protection, Low Latency Streaming, and more.
Over the past 13 years, with a workforce from various universities including Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, Foreign Trade University, National Economics University, etc., Thủ Đô Multimedia has strived to become a strong player in the IT industry in general and the digital content sector in particular.
Notable achievements of Thudo in the market include:
In December 2019, Thudo’s Sigma DRM content protection solution passed the Farncombe security certification. Thủ Đô takes pride in being the first and only Vietnamese company, as well as the only Southeast Asian company, and one of only six Asian companies to achieve this certification.
Included in the list of 20 global companies with SigmaDRM (DRM-Digital Rights Management) content protection solutions. Thu Do aims to represent Vietnamese intelligence worldwide.
Pioneering technology innovations in television, including livestreaming, interactive television, internet television, and Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Implementation of solutions for major partners in Vietnam, the United States, India, and the Middle East, such as Akamai, Nuance, VTVCab, Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone, and MCV.
Thudo Multimedia has left a creative mark with comprehensive solutions in the OTT field, with two prominent product lines:
The Sigma DAI/SSAI solution allows online TV and video service providers to insert advertisements into video content at the server level before it reaches the viewers’ devices, optimizing user experiences by ensuring smooth ad playback without disrupting the original content. It also provides detailed ad performance tracking, offering advertisers and service providers deeper insights into how viewers interact with ads.
The Sigma DRM (Digital Right Management) solution was created to protect intellectual property rights and prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of digital content. It is designed to address copyright infringement issues, particularly in Vietnam, where copyright violations have caused substantial damage. This solution is also internationally certified by Cartesian.
The exhibition area of Thudo Multimedia at the forum.
The memorandum of cooperation between the Bureau of Business Development and Thudo Multimedia is a significant motivation in Thudo’s journey, reaffirming their commitment to continued investment in research and development to provide more advanced technological solutions and support the sustainable development of the media and entertainment industry.
In 2019, the online advertising industry boasted a valuation of $304 billion. Projections suggest that this number will skyrocket to $980 billion by 2025, fueled by technological advancements and the increasing expenditure by companies in the realm of online advertising.
Nevertheless, the industry, like businesses in general, grapples with ongoing challenges. Presently, the primary obstacle is ad fraud. Through the utilization of various automated software tools, unscrupulous actors manage to siphon off a portion of publishers’ earnings. In fact, in 2019, advertisers suffered a staggering loss of $42 billion in ad spending due to fraudulent activities.
The good news is that there’s a solution to safeguard your ad revenue from scammers. For instance, TargetVideo offers a way to detect invalid traffic and respond only to legitimate ad requests from real customers rather than bots. Just as the industry tackled ad fraud, publishers and advertisers faced a fresh challenge: ad blocking. While some argue that the industry should embrace this software, others see it as another technological puzzle to solve. After all, ad revenue is being impacted by programs that block advertisements from reaching their intended audience.
Server-side ad insertion (SSAI), also known as dynamic ad insertion or ad stitching, is a video ad technology that seamlessly combines ad content with video content. SSAI integrates your videos and ads into a single stream at the content management system (CMS) level, as opposed to within the user’s browser. This creates a smoother user experience and reduces the risk of client-side errors. SSAI has been in existence for some time, but it has garnered increased interest from publishers and advertisers as ad blockers have eroded their revenue.
This technology serves as an alternative to client-side ad insertion (CSAI).
With CSAI, video content is delivered on the server-side by a content delivery network (CDN). However, ad content is delivered separately by a third-party ad server, leading to buffering and latency issues over the years, making it susceptible to ad blockers.
Like CSAI, server-side ad insertion enables personalized and targeted ads. However, by seamlessly integrating video and ad content, it eliminates buffering and latency issues. As we mentioned earlier, publishers and advertisers needed a new technology to combat software capable of removing or altering online ads.
The Rise of Ad Blockers
The online advertising industry faces a persistent stream of challenges. Just when it seemed to be making progress against ad fraud, a new issue emerged.
Firstly, web users developed “banner blindness,” consciously or unconsciously ignoring banner ads to enhance their user experience. Subsequently, ad filtering software emerged, prompting developers to turn to server-side ad insertion.
Ad blockers are programs that empower users to block ads, save bandwidth, and protect their personal information from websites. They are commonly available as add-ons on numerous browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera. As their primary role is to prevent ads from appearing on websites, they are responsible for significant revenue losses for many publishers.
With internet users becoming increasingly vocal about their preferences, web browsers have increasingly begun to support ad blockers. Some block ads by default, while others require users to enable blocking.
The number of companies offering ad blocking solutions has also grown over the years, with a predicted 47% of users relying on these programs to prevent annoying ads from appearing. This presents a substantial revenue loss for publishers. Fortunately, server-side ad insertion can help address this challenge.
Ad Blocking in Numbers
Ad blocking tools have gained prominence on the internet recently. Consumer expectations are rising, and they want control over the content they encounter online. This negatively affects the digital advertising industry, which relies on online advertising to reach more customers and build brand loyalty.
So, why are consumers so inclined to use ad blockers? According to GlobalWebIndex, the main reasons include:
Too many ads: 48%
Annoying or irrelevant ads: 47%
Too intrusive ads: 44%
Ads taking up too much screen space: 38%
Ad blocking on mobile devices has also surged, with 527 million people using mobile browsers that block ads by default in 2019. These browsers act as a barrier between brands and consumers.
Desktop ad blocking remains prevalent among website visitors, with 236 million people using these programs on their computers or laptops at the end of 2019.
Most ad blockers assume that video ads are pre-loaded onto the viewer’s device. This is known as client-side ad insertion. However, server-side ad insertion stitches video and ad content together, allowing it to bypass ad blockers.
The Ad Blocking Landscape Is Diversifying
Another challenge for the advertising industry is the evolving landscape of ad blocking. Numerous add-ons and browsers designed to block ads and support for them have emerged.
This proliferation of ad blockers underscores the need for a solution that can deliver ads to the intended audience. Server-side ad insertion is precisely what is needed, and here’s how it works.
How Does Server-Side Ad Insertion Circumvent Ad Blocking?
When viewers watch videos or over-the-top (OTT) content, a content delivery network (CDN) streams the video to their devices. What happens next depends on whether client-side ad insertion (CSAI) or server-side ad insertion (SSAI) is in use.
In the case of CSAI, the video stops playing from the CDN when it’s time for an ad break. The client sends an ad request, and a third-party ad server delivers the ad. Once the ad is finished, the video player resumes streaming content.
SSAI, on the other hand, operates differently. When the video approaches an ad break, a marker in the stream signals the SSAI vendor to serve an ad. The vendor sends an ad request on behalf of the player. The third-party ad server selects an ad and sends it back to the SSAI server. This server combines the ad with the video content and delivers it to the player via the CDN. Consequently, the video player streams video content and ad content as a single continuous stream.
This is how server-side ad insertion circumvents ad blocking, but the technology offers more benefits.
Benefits of Server-Side Ad Insertion
Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) plays a pivotal role in enabling the delivery of targeted ads at scale
Based on what we’ve seen so far, server-side ad insertion offers several advantages over client-side ad insertion:
It bypasses ad blockers: SSAI allows publishers and advertisers to evade ad blocking software by merging video and ad content into a single stream.
It enhances the user experience: This method delivers an optimal viewing experience, displaying high-quality video and ad creatives. The transition from content to ad is seamless, enhancing user satisfaction.
It eliminates latency and buffering issues: SSAI can adapt to different bandwidths, supporting users with poor connections. The technology ensures consistent quality across all elements, reducing buffering.
It provides consistency and reliability: Users expect a consistent quality of experience while streaming live content, which SSAI can provide. This consistency and reliability increase engagement and viewing time.
Considering these benefits, publishers and advertisers need server-side ad insertion to boost revenue and provide the best possible experience to their audience.
Server-Side Ad Insertion Is the Future of Advertising
SSAI: Elegant solution for ad insertion
Currently, there are a limited number of server-side ad insertion providers, but this is likely to change as ad blocking becomes a more significant issue for publishers and advertisers.
Wider adoption of server-side ad insertion has the potential to revolutionize the advertising industry and reduce revenue losses. It can also offer a superior user experience and improved service quality.
If your YouTube channel is monetized, you’ll be pleased to know that YouTube has expanded the availability of Post-Roll Ads to any video that’s 8 minutes or longer. This change presents an opportunity for content creators to increase their earnings.
For members of the YouTube Partner Program who can monetize their videos, the previous 10-minute threshold for mid-roll ad insertion has been reduced to 8 minutes. This means you can potentially publish more videos at 8 minutes in length and still earn the same mid-roll ad revenue.
This change is retroactive, which means that any videos you previously published on your channel, ranging from 8 to 10 minutes in length, are now eligible for mid-roll ads. YouTube has also automatically enabled mid-roll ads on these videos unless you opted out before the change. For further information, you can watch our video explaining this significant update ⬇️.
Are you ready to grow your YouTube channel? It’s completely FREE to get started.
YouTube Mid-Roll Ads and Their Impact on Your Audience
While this development offers benefits for content creators and advertisers, it’s essential to consider its impact on the YouTube audience.
On one side, there are creators looking to generate revenue from their content, and on the other side, there are viewers seeking valuable content. The platform connecting these two groups is YouTube.
Introducing mid-roll ads into your video can create a potential obstacle or barrier to the value viewers derive from your content. However, as a creator, you also need to earn revenue, as creating YouTube videos is not always cost-free.
Thus, there’s a delicate balance between building your community and building your YouTube business. Fortunately, there are ways to strike this balance.
We spoke with Tom Martin, a professional YouTube channel manager, about best practices for mid-roll ads, especially in light of YouTube’s recent update. Check out Tom’s Pro Channel Manager Podcast for more industry insights.
YouTube’s move to allow mid-roll ad insertion in videos of 8 minutes and over is new. What should creators know about this change?
Turns On Post-Roll Ads For All Monetized Videos
Prior to the feature’s launch on July 27th, YouTube sent creators an email offering the option to opt out of automatic ad insertion across their channel.
Initially, I thought it would apply only to qualified videos uploaded after that date. However, it appears that it applies to all videos that can benefit from monetization. Unless creators actively chose to opt out before July 27th, mid-roll ads have automatically been inserted.
This is great news for many creators in the YouTube Partner Program as they don’t have to take any action to benefit from this change. However, some creators aren’t happy with the ad placements in their 8+ minute videos and are having to manually update each video, which can be a significant task for some with hundreds or even thousands of videos.
I believe there used to be a way to bulk edit ad placements, but I couldn’t find that option anymore.
Does the placement of mid-roll ads on a qualifying video matter?
Yes, it matters to many creators. In fact, some channels choose not to enable mid-rolls at all because they find them too disruptive to their viewers. For example, in yoga or music videos, a mid-roll ad may seem out of place.
Since it’s an automated process, YouTube may not always select the best placement for the ad, as a human would. That’s why I manually place all my mid-roll ads, as I always have.
Can you adjust the position of a mid-roll ad after YouTube has inserted it?
Yes, but it’s a manual process. However, I prefer doing it manually to provide a better experience for the audience. Otherwise, there’s a risk that the ad could interrupt the presenter mid-sentence or create a jarring experience.
I believe you can also set up your channel so that future videos don’t automatically insert mid-roll ads on qualifying uploads. The catch is that all your old videos will now have mid-rolls enabled, so you’ll need to go back and turn those off if desired.
Do you view this as a positive move by YouTube?
Overall, I think it’s excellent for creators as it prevents people from padding their videos with unnecessary content to reach the 10-minute threshold. It has likely unlocked millions of videos between 8 and 10 minutes, resulting in more revenue for creators.
YouTube often faces criticism for not effectively communicating changes, but in this case, I think they did a good job. It’s up to creators and channel management teams to read their emails from YouTube and take necessary actions, so they don’t need to go back and fix things later.
From YouTube’s perspective, this move makes perfect sense. With various events like the ‘Adpocalypse’ and the impact of COVID-19 on ad budgets, they’ve been looking to boost revenues. Automatically enabling mid-rolls will likely generate significant additional income for YouTube in the long run.
Managing YouTube Mid-Roll Ads and Placements
A key question for YouTube viewers is, how many ads are they willing to watch in an eight-minute video? Most would probably tolerate at most two ads, provided that the content offers real value.
To provide the best viewer experience, consider placing mid-roll ads strategically in your videos. Here’s how to do it:
Go to your YouTube Studio.
Click on the ‘Monetization’ link in the left-hand menu.
Once the mid-roll checkbox is selected, click on the ‘Manage Mid-Rolls’ link.
A new dashboard will open, allowing you to place or move mid-roll ads in your video.
For an optimal experience, position mid-roll ads at points where you’ve built tension in the storytelling or have just revealed or are about to reveal something essential to why the viewer clicked on the video in the first place.
If you also have pre-roll ads enabled, avoid inserting a mid-roll ad shortly after the video starts. However, don’t leave the ads until the end of the video. If a significant portion of your audience abandons your video within the first few minutes, due to poor audience retention, they won’t see those mid-roll ads, and you won’t earn revenue from them. YouTube offers valuable advice about mid-roll ad placement as well:
Managing Mid-Roll Ad Breaks for Multiple Videos
If you want to enable or disable mid-roll ad breaks for multiple videos, follow these steps:
Sign in to your YouTube Studio.
From the left-hand menu, select ‘Videos.’
Choose the videos you want to adjust.
Then select ‘Ad Settings’ from the ‘Edit’ menu.
Toggle ‘Turn on ads during video’ to enable or disable mid-roll ad breaks.
Select ‘Update Videos’ and follow the displayed steps to confirm this change.
Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) is often considered one of the best advertising approaches for broadcasting, especially when compared to other approaches like Client-Side Ad Insertion (CSAI) and Static Ad Insertion.
Certainly, here are some specific examples of how broadcasters are using Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) to enhance their advertising approach:
Live Sports Broadcasting
Many sports broadcasters leverage SSAI during live events. For instance, during a live NFL game broadcast, SSAI enables the seamless integration of targeted ads into the stream. These ads can be tailored to specific regions or viewer demographics, enhancing the overall viewing experience while maximizing ad revenue.
Streaming Services
Streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+ use SSAI to deliver personalized and relevant ads to viewers. SSAI helps ensure that the ads are seamlessly integrated into the content, maintaining viewer engagement during long streaming sessions.
News Broadcasting
News organizations employ SSAI to deliver real-time news updates and advertisements during live broadcasts. This approach allows them to provide a continuous flow of information without disruptive ad transitions.
Entertainment Networks
Broadcasters such as HBO Max and Netflix use SSAI to insert dynamic ads into their on-demand content. These ads can change based on viewer preferences, ensuring that viewers receive ads that are relevant to their interests.
Local Advertising
Broadcasters often use SSAI to insert locally targeted ads during live and on-demand broadcasts. For example, a local TV station might use SSAI to insert ads from nearby businesses to engage the local audience.
Interactive Ads
SSAI supports interactive ads, enabling broadcasters to create engaging and immersive advertising experiences. Viewers can interact with ads, such as playing games or making selections, directly within the video stream.
Can Server Side Ads Enhance the Viewer Experience?
Reduced Ad Overload
SSAI allows broadcasters to control the frequency and placement of ads. They can strategically insert ads at appropriate intervals, ensuring that viewers do not feel overwhelmed by excessive advertising.
Viewer Data Utilization
Broadcasters use SSAI to collect and analyze viewer data in real-time. This data helps them refine their ad targeting and content recommendations, ultimately improving the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns.
Cross-Platform Consistency
SSAI ensures a consistent ad experience across different devices and platforms. Viewers receive the same high-quality ad experience whether they are watching on a smart TV, computer, or mobile device.
Ad Quality Control
Broadcasters use SSAI to maintain control over the quality and relevance of ads. They can ensure that ads align with the tone and content of the programming, preventing jarring or out-of-place advertisements.
These examples demonstrate how SSAI is a versatile and valuable tool for broadcasters across various industries. It enables them to deliver targeted, seamless, and engaging ads while optimizing ad revenue and viewer satisfaction.
Broadcasters need SSAI to provide viewers with a seamless and uninterrupted ad experience while maximizing revenue and combating ad blockers.
Server-side ad insertion (SSAI) is a technology that enables broadcasters to insert ads into video streams on the server side, before the video is delivered to the viewer’s device.
Broadcasters use Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) for several important reasons
Improved user experience
SSAI delivers ads seamlessly into the video stream, resulting in a less interruptive and more TV-like viewing experience for viewers. This can lead to increased viewer engagement and satisfaction.
Reduced ad blocking
SSAI inserts ads on the server side, before the video stream is delivered to the viewer’s device. This makes it more difficult for ad blockers to interfere with ad delivery, resulting in higher ad viewability and completion rates.
Increased ad revenue
SSAI enables broadcasters to deliver more targeted and relevant ads to viewers, which can lead to higher click-through rates and CPMs. Additionally, SSAI allows broadcasters to sell ads on a more programmatic basis, which can help them maximize ad revenue.
Improved operational efficiency
SSAI simplifies the ad delivery process for broadcasters, as it eliminates the need to manage and deliver ad content to different devices and platforms. This can free up broadcasters’ resources to focus on other core tasks, such as content creation and audience development.
SSAI for Live TV
In addition to these general benefits, SSAI is also particularly well-suited for broadcasters because it can be used to deliver ads in live TV streams. This is a critical capability for broadcasters, as live TV is one of the most popular and lucrative forms of video content.
SSAI enables broadcasters to insert ads into video streams
SSAI works by communicating with the viewer’s device to understand the strength of the Internet connection and the capabilities of the device. This information is then used to select and deliver the appropriate ad content. SSAI can also be used to deliver targeted ads to viewers based on their demographics, interests, and viewing history.
Examples of SSAI in Use
Moreover, SSAI’s capability to deliver ads in live TV streams is especially advantageous for broadcasters, as live TV remains a popular and lucrative form of video content. Some notable examples of broadcasters using SSAI include:
NBCUniversal: Utilizing SSAI for targeted ad delivery in live TV streams, such as coverage of the Olympics and NFL broadcasts.
Disney: Employing SSAI to serve personalized ads to viewers of on-demand content on platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.
WarnerMedia: Leveraging SSAI to deliver dynamic ads to both live TV and on-demand content, including its HBO Max streaming service.
Conclusion
SSAI is a valuable tool for broadcasters that can help them to improve the user experience, reduce ad blocking, increase ad revenue, and improve operational efficiency. As the demand for live TV and on-demand content continues to grow, SSAI is expected to become even more important for broadcasters in the years to come.
In an era where our lives are increasingly intertwined with the digital realm, protecting ourselves from cybercrime has become more critical than ever. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, making it essential for individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their online presence. Here are ten comprehensive cybercrime prevention tips to help you stay safe and secure in the digital world:
1. Use Strong Passwords:
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to enhance your online security is by using strong passwords. Create unique combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters for each of your accounts.
Avoid the common pitfall of using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Instead, opt for complex passwords that are at least 10 characters long.
Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and securely store your passwords. This way, you won’t have to write them down, reducing the risk of exposure.
2. Secure Your Computer:
Activate your firewall: Firewalls act as the first line of defense against cyber threats. They block connections to unknown or malicious sites, helping to keep out viruses and hackers.
Use Anti-virus/Malware Software: Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses. Additionally, use anti-malware software to prevent malware infections.
Block Spyware Attacks: Protect your computer from spyware by installing and frequently updating anti-spyware software.
3. Be Social-Media Savvy:
Adjust Privacy Settings: Review and configure your social networking profiles, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, to private settings. Only share information with people you trust.
Exercise Caution: Be mindful of the information you post online. Once it’s on the internet, it can be challenging to retract. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information like your home address and phone number.
4. Secure Your Mobile Devices:
Mobile Vulnerabilities: Understand that mobile devices are susceptible to viruses and hacking attempts.
Trusted Sources: Download applications only from reputable sources like official app stores to minimize the risk of downloading malicious software.
5. Install the Latest Operating System Updates:
Regular Updates: Keep your computer’s operating system and software applications up-to-date by enabling automatic updates. Cybercriminals often target vulnerabilities in outdated software.
6. Protect Your Data:
DRM: Safeguarding Digital Content
Data Encryption: Use encryption for your most sensitive files, such as tax returns and financial records. Encryption adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that even if your data is compromised, it remains unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
Regular Backups: Make regular backups of all your essential data and store them in a secure location. In the event of a cyberattack, you can restore your information without paying a ransom.
Using DRM (Digital Rights Management): involves implementing various measures to protect digital content from unauthorized access, copying, and distribution. DRM is commonly used to safeguard digital media such as e-books, music, videos, and software.
7. Secure Your Wireless Network:
Home Wi-Fi Security: Review and modify your home Wi-Fi network settings to enhance security. Use a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi network.
Public Wi-Fi: Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks, also known as “Hot Spots.” Avoid conducting financial or corporate transactions on these networks, as they are vulnerable to interception.
8. Protect Your E-Identity:
Guard Personal Information: Be cautious when sharing personal information such as your name, address, phone number, or financial details online.
Check Website Security: Ensure that websites are secure, especially when making online purchases. Look for “https://” and a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar.
9. Avoid Being Scammed:
Think Before Clicking: Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources. Cybercriminals often use enticing links to spread malware.
Verify Sources: Don’t feel pressured by emails that request sensitive information or ask you to confirm your user ID or password. Verify the source’s legitimacy before taking any action.
10. Call the Right Person for Help: Reporting Cybercrime: In the unfortunate event that you become a victim of cybercrime, encounter illegal internet content, suspect identity theft, or come across a commercial scam, report the incident promptly to your local law enforcement, such as your nearest police station.
By following these comprehensive cybercrime prevention tips, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to online threats and protect your digital life. Remember, staying informed and proactive is your best defense against cybercriminals in today’s interconnected world. Stay safe and secure online!
Recent Comments