Videon Central

About Videon Central

Founded in 1997 by Todd Erdley, Paul Brown, and Rob Bargo, Videon Central is a technology firm specializing in live video encoding, streaming, and edge computing solutions. The company's genesis is rooted in the founders' extensive experience in digital video and engineering. Todd Erdley, with a background in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, has guided the company through various technological shifts, from optical disc technology to its current focus on live streaming. Co-founders Paul Brown and Rob Bargo contribute deep technical and operational expertise, with Brown having over 25 years in digital video and Bargo overseeing manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Videon operates in the live streaming and broadcast markets, serving a diverse client base that includes major broadcasters, top sports leagues, houses of worship, and emergency services across more than 19 countries. The company's business model centers on providing a hybrid platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that combines hardware (video encoders) with cloud-based software and services. Revenue is generated through the sale of their encoding devices and subscription-based access to their LiveEdge® cloud platform, which offers ongoing feature updates and support. This approach aims to reduce the complexity, latency, and high costs associated with traditional cloud-based video processing by moving intensive tasks to the point of video creation.

The core offering is the LiveEdge® platform, a suite of compact encoders and a cloud management tool that allows for on-premises encoding and edge computing. This platform enables users to manage and monitor video streams from anywhere, reducing reliance on expensive cloud infrastructure and lowering latency. Key features include multi-output and bitrate capabilities, SCTE marker insertion for ad placement, local recording, and graphic overlays. Videon's products, such as the EdgeCaster, are built on Qualcomm technology and support a variety of streaming protocols like HLS, DASH, SRT, and RTMP, ensuring compatibility with platforms like AWS, Akamai, and YouTube. The company has secured significant funding, including a $7.3 million Series A round in June 2021 and an additional $9 million in February 2022, to expand its engineering and sales efforts.