Technology

Matjaz Vidmar: A Pioneer Behind Modern Streaming Innovation

Jul 19, 2021

People can watch movies, listen to music, and access other content online without downloading them using streaming technology. Compression and adaptive streaming algorithms provide seamless playing across devices and networks. This technology has transformed the entertainment and media sectors globally by providing rapid access to various types of content. Few have had as much effect as Matjaz Vidmar in the constantly evolving world of technology. As industries moved from conventional to digital, pioneers adapted and influenced entire sectors. Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) visionaries like Vidmar excel in streaming technologies. He witnessed a drastic change from his childhood in Slovenia to his pioneering role in transforming media consumption.

Matjaz “Matt” Vidmar was born on August 30, 1962, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. He was naturally curious about technology and media throughout his youth. His interest led him to study economics and electronics at the University of Ljubljana, where he developed a strong academic and practical foundation for his career. Vidmar’s business drive evolved as a student and compelled him to engage in business activities from an early age. Vidmar started Video Art Studio (VAS) in 1983 while in college. Being the first privately owned advertising firm in Eastern Europe, where private business was scarce, was significant. The advertising firm VAS pioneered the combination of creativity and new technology, laying the framework for Vidmar’s future. Vidmar’s career was defined by his ability to anticipate market demands and create new solutions.

Vidmar’s 1986 transfer to London, a media and technological powerhouse, was crucial. He wanted practical experience and exposure in the global media sector and to lead technical advances. This move paid off when he joined Gold Video Production in 1987. Vidmar started his growth here to become a pioneer in the field. Vidmar directed Buckingham Palace’s Royal Garden Party video production coverage early in his career in 1988. This important assignment demonstrated his ability to organize high-profile events and improve his industry reputation. His subsequent work at CFC (now Framestore) established the foundation for his future significance.

Vidmar helped pioneer electronic film post-production and VFX at CFC. CFC’s innovations in filmmaking allowed filmmakers to experiment with new ideas. CFC won two Academy Scientific and Technical Awards during his time with the company. This phase improved Vidmar’s technical talents and strengthened his grasp of creativity and technology, a theme recurring throughout his career.

Using his entrepreneurial flair, Vidmar founded his first UK business, Connexion Exports, in 1991, a major broadcast and DTP engineering firm, which manufactured ‘X-System Alpha-64’ graphic workstations, delivering innovative 64-bit computing capabilities to the creative industry. These workstations let broadcasters and producers generate high-quality content more quickly and cheaply, democratizing sophisticated technology. Connexion Exports’ Crown Jewels artwork was a highlight, airbrushed on a 72-meter-long, 4-meter-high oil canvas. During its 1994 restoration, this painting wrapped around The Jewel House at the Tower of London, impressing visitors. This project showcased Vidmar’s technical skills and ability to combine art and technology to create something beautiful and practical.

Vidmar’s 1997 founding of ON-AIR Systems was his most prominent TMT contribution. This business invented “Channel-in-a-Box,” the first integrated TV playout video server with playout automation, interactive graphics, vision mixing, and shared video storage. This technology simplified multichannel network TV procedures and cut operating expenses, revolutionizing television channel playout. Vidmar’s ability to understand and meet broadcasting industry demands led to playout server technology becoming the industry standard in five years.

In 1999, Vidmar introduced the first TV streaming system, “Xtreme IPTV™.” The first commercial installation of this turnkey platform in Mumbai in 2000 provided IPTV to broadband consumers. This pioneering over-the-top (OTT) video service cleared the way for internet-based video streaming, a substantial technological and financial achievement. Mumbai installation won the NASSCOM First Prize for Most Innovative Technology award in 2000, confirming its industry innovations leadership. Vidmar helped pioneer several other streaming technologies in the space of TV CDN. His vision for internet-based video transmission and infrastructure development helped shape the global media landscape.

Vidmar founded Vision Group in 2005 to further streaming technology after his previous successes. This network of private technological businesses with headquarters in London, and offices Dubai and Ljubljana, specialized in broadcasting and telecommunications. The Vision Group swiftly became a leader in OTT and IPTV, providing innovative solutions to content producers and telecom carriers.

Vision247™, a flagship business of Vision Group, offers cloud-based broadcasting services. Vision247™ helped establish XtremeOVP™, a cutting-edge platform with industry-first features, including ‘Channel-from-the-Cloud,’ ‘Catch-up-TV,’ and ‘Forward-TV.’ These features enabled broadcasters to meet the increased requirements for on-demand programming with more flexible and user-friendly watching experiences. Vidmar’s work on XtremeOVP advanced technology and predicted media consumption trends, making Vision Group a leading industry player, at the peak broadcasting over 250 channels.

Vidmar advanced by purchasing Ljubljana-based IPTV middleware R&D business Fora d.o.o. in 2012. Fora, a pioneer in IPTV technology, collaborated with Vidmar to create Perception TVCDN™, the first end-to-end ‘Unified CDN/OTT/IPTV Platform.’ This technology was groundbreaking because it integrated device-specific streaming protocol re-warping, time-shift recording, network PVR, live and VOD streaming, and FAST TV channel playout into a single server box.

Perception TVCDN™ redefined streaming technology by delivering high-quality video across all popular devices and networks. Multiple industry awards reflected its efficiency and efficacy. Vidmar again showed his creative approach to technology by anticipating and solving streaming video content issues to fit the emergence of OTT.

Vidmar sold Vision Group in 2019 to concentrate on Perception TVCDN™ expansion. Recognizing the platform’s potential to change the streaming industry, he reorganized the firm under a Toronto-based holding company, Perception Group Inc. Vidmar focused on developing Perception TVCDN™, notably in managed cloud services, after restructuring.

The revamped Perception Group Inc. comprised London-based Perception TVCDN Ltd. and Ljubljana-based Fora d.o.o. to strengthen its footprint in several countries. Vidmar led the development of Perception TVCDN™, providing advanced solutions for contemporary broadcasters, telecom carriers, and content suppliers. Vidmar prioritized growth investment and strategic expansion to keep Perception TVCDN™ at the forefront of streaming technology.

Matjaz Vidmar’s career shows how one visionary can contribute innovating an industry. His work in TMT, especially streaming technologies, has improved broadcasting and telecommunications and transformed media consumption. Vidmar’s technological expertise, entrepreneurial energy, and ability to predict trends have helped him to compete in the sector by constantly applying innovation approach.

Vidmar pioneered OTT and IPTV technologies, a major part of his legacy. His early understanding of internet-based video distribution enabled him to establish industry-standard solutions. Vidmar’s success with ON-AIR Systems, Vision Group, and Perception TVCDN™ demonstrates his ability to invent and implement concepts with enduring effect.

Vidmar has been a critical technological mentor and adviser in addition to his technical achievements. He is sought after in technology M&A for his expertise in telecom, media, and technology, which he uses to analyze project feasibility, financing needs, and issues. Vidmar’s ability to integrate technology and commercial strategy has helped technology innovators and investors succeed.

Vidmar, Chairman and Strategy Director of Perception Group Inc., prioritizes business development and Perception TVCDN™ platform advancement. His corporate strategy involves developing managed cloud services and launching B2C OTT products, his renowned specialty being super-apps powering multi-play social media TV services. This drive for innovation and expansion assures Vidmar’s continuation of valuable contributions to the streaming industry.