P2P for MajorEvents: A Hybrid Multimedia Distribution Platform

Multimedia content platforms are a hot topic right now with the advent of applications like YouTube.com. Many similar application exist that have their advantages and drawbacks. This paper presents a platform that enhances the idea of user generated content by introducing the peer-to-peer approach as an alternative means of distribution. Besides the centralised and peer-to-peer distribution of multimedia content the platform offers a wide range of additional services like chat, content moderation and presence. The platform is based on open standards, like MPEG21, JXTA, XMPP and TV-Anytime CRID and is a perfect example of interoperability. It also supports DRM solutions although they are not implemented yet. The platform was developed as a new channel for the distribution of information about major events and as an attractor for potential visitors of major events.