Userplane Unveils Web Recorder 1.5, Featuring Enhanced Flash-Based Audio/Video Message Recording and Playback Capabilities

Business Wire, August 2, 2004

LOS ANGELES -- New Version Fosters 'Self-Marketing,' Adds Value to Online Classified, Auction, Video Email, Dating and Social Networking Applications

Userplane (www.userplane.com), the premier provider of enterprise social software for online communities, today introduced Userplane Web Recorder(TM) 1.5 -- a significant enhancement of its A/V recorder technology, delivering improved performance, reliability and administrative tools. Offering Flash-based recording and playback capabilities to an array of business segments, Userplane Web Recorder 1.5 is the leading application providing dynamic, browser-based video and audio message recording.

The new version works seamlessly on any website, requires no special plug-ins besides the ubiquitous Flash, and instantly recognizes any webcam without the need for tricky configuration.

"We've measurably improved Userplane Web Recorder's video playback performance, cross-platform consistency and reliability, and back-end administration," said Nathanial Thelen, technology director, Userplane. "New features include enhanced recording quality, full compatibility with modem and broadband connections and an easily customizable interface."

"The seamless design of Web Recorder 1.5 allows expanded market potential for a product that lets users easily create and view audio/video messages, in what really is a new kind of 'self-marketing,'" said Javier Hall, creative officer, Userplane. "While streaming live video is increasingly deployed for messaging and communication applications, the creative applications of user-recorded video are just now emerging. We're giving websites a solution for creating web-recorded video clips that requires no overhead -- enabling them not only to market their offerings in a more natural and immediate format, but also opening the way for a range of websites to empower their users to market themselves and their own products."

Audio/video message capabilities add value to industry segments like online dating and social networking websites where users can create their own A/V profiles; Web-based email applications for sending and receiving A/V mail; and online classifieds, where a full A/V demonstration of items can enhance sales. Indeed, A/V message capabilities can enhance any website environment and various forms of communication between companies and their audiences -- delivering sales pitches, personal messages, advertising promotions and product showcases in a familiar format that captures the senses.

"In the online auction space, for example, self-recorded clips can enable individuals to display the items they wish to list," said Michael Jones, president of Userplane. "Online casting services can prompt actors to record initial auditions. And this kind of engaging 'self-marketing' is ideal for job candidates, who can now supplement their online resume postings with video clips that make a strong visual impression."

Using Flash Communication as its server application, Userplane Web Recorder 1.5 can be deployed to allow full review and confirmation of all audio/video messages to assure content developed by site users meets the standards of the site. In addition, Userplane offers fully managed Flash Communication Server Hosting for this application.

Other features include auto-detection of camera and microphone, simple integration with current website and user database, and side-by-side record and playback interfaces to compare old and new recordings.

Like Userplane's other tools in its Communication Suite -- Userplane Instant Communicator and Userplane Web Chat -- Userplane Web Recorder 1.5 allows full website administrative control, integration via XML with a (members-based) website's user database, and customization for each deployment to match the business model and branding of the site.

About Userplane

Based in Los Angeles, Userplane is the premier provider of enterprise social software for online communities. Userplane Apps are elegant, easy to use, and rapidly deployed web-based applications. Leveraging Macromedia Flash, the Apps are lightweight, cross-platform with no user installation, and customizable for a site's specific needs. Userplane Apps are deployed internationally on sites ranging from online communities to intranets. The application suite reaches tens of millions of users and supports more than three million live conversations a month in twelve countries. Userplane continues to provide forward-thinking Web and software development for industry-leading clients including Red Bull, Honda, and 1-800 Flowers.