Introducing Theta Edgecast: The world’s first decentralized streaming DApp for end-to-end live streaming, transcoding, caching and video delivery

Since the Theta network whitepaper was released in late 2017, our core thesis was to build a fully decentralized video infrastructure that would drive benefit to each key stakeholder in the video streaming value chain:

1. End-users should be rewarded for sharing their excess bandwidth to relay video to others in the community
2. Content creators should earn more for creating original content and free to choose whichever platform they like
3. Video platforms should be able to lower CDN costs from using Theta’s peer-to-peer infrastructure, increase user engagement and ultimately revenues

To bring this vision to market, we believe that content creators and consumers should have the choice to use whichever video platform they feel they benefit the most from. This includes all existing advertiser-supported platforms such as YouTube, Twitch etc, subscription-based services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and many others, as well as new decentralized video platforms which are built from the ground-up on distributed computing and ledger technology.

We’re excited to introduce Theta Edgecast, the first fully decentralized video streaming DApp that is 100% built on Theta’s native blockchain technology with smart contracts. This technology stack includes the ability to capture video, transcode it in real-time, cache and relay to users globally all through Theta’s peer-to-peer edge network composed of over 2000 edge nodes today. This means not a central server or service is used. This is a huge accomplishment and a huge challenge — we hope this open Beta will give you an opportunity to try it and provide us with valuable feedback.

Theta Edgecast is available in a completely-redesigned Edge Node application, which now features the ability to broadcast streams on Edgecast or view other users Edgecast streams, as well as earn TFUEL via the Edge Caching and Edge Compute features. The Edge Node now encompasses all aspects of decentralized video streaming, distribution, and compute in one streamlined app. If you already are running the Edge Node it will auto-update to the latest version, or you can download it here:

Windows: https://api.thetatoken.org/downloads/edge-node/windows

MacOS: https://api.thetatoken.org/downloads/edge-node/macos

For more information on how to broadcast streams via Edgecast, see the guide here.

Theta.tv today continues to be a great home for our esports streamers, popular blockchain content creators like Chico Crypto, Data Dash, and many more, as well as marquee brand partners like MGM Studios, NASA, World Poker Tour, CONtv Anime and new upcoming. We see Theta.tv having evolved from being fully centralized when we were known as Sliver.tv, to being a hybrid platform today (much like if Youtube or Netflix were to build on the Theta network infrastructure) and in the future becoming fully decentralized much like Theta Edgecast. In essence, we’re giving our community a preview of our future, an opportunity to experiment today.

In the long-term we believe that decentralization will become a key design element for all video and media entertainment businesses, the exact shape and form uncertain now. But, we think that Theta technology will absolutely be part of that equation. This means as we expand from PCs and mobile devices to tablets, smart TVs powered by 5G networks, all of these connected devices will have a way to efficiently relay video and data between them, without a centralized entity directing the network. This system of millions of devices is too complex to be governed by a single top-down entity. Instead, Theta is creating the infrastructure, a set of rules and incentives so that all devices can self-organize in a way that benefits everyone on the network. This is part of our Theta edge node network vision. Stay tuned as we announce Theta Mainnet 3.0 shortly and how this vision will transform the future of video and entertainment.