Seerslab Streams Globally in 4K Using AWS Media Services

Seerslab is a leading augmented reality (AR) company using mobile AR and Vision AI source technologies. Seerslab launched "Rolycam," the world’s first mobile app for selfie videos that allows for real-time video correction. Seerslab was selected as the very first Y-Combinator, a US Sillicon Valley accelerator, amongst Korean media entertainment startups. Seerslab also launched the ARGear service, an AR software as a service (SaaS) platform based on Seerslab's source technology, to provide AR and Vision AI technologies to the three domestic telecommunications companies and Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics smartphone manufacturers. In July 2020, the company launched a global online concert platform service, "Fanbox.live," providing a total AR solution that enables content planning, development, and service launches.

While planning and developing Fanbox, a global online contactless concert platform, Seerslab had to figure out how to link various login systems, since different login systems are used in each country. It also had to build a payment system for online purchases of concert tickets, goods, and digital content. When using its previous payment system, performers had to bear the burden of high fees. So, Seerslab also wanted to build a transparent global payment system that enabled performers to receive more of the profits generated from their performances. It was crucial that Seerslab provide a stable global streaming service in 4K-quality that accommodated fans anywhere in the world. It was also essential that Seerslab build a pipeline that could be automated and controlled between all services, from ticket creation to video streaming.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) had the variety of services Seerslab needed to build a live concert platform. The company was able to design a system in which each pipeline can be called and driven as needed, in an environment that is able to implement a service with streaming pipeline automation, minimal cost, on the cloud. Seerslab director Kim Jae-cheol explained that “there are a lot of things to prepare when streaming live in 4K-quality, including content composition, processing and distribution. However, AWS already supports high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) and 4K/UHD output through AWS Elemental MediaLive, so it was easy to apply.” Seerslab built Fanbox.live using AWS Elemental MediaLive and Amazon CloudFront to deliver live content to users around the world.

Director Kim Jae-cheol said that although instances for live streaming and VOD services are separately classified, the Seerslab team began by tying these services into one pipeline rather than in units. In other words, the workflow was built so it can be called and managed by an API. Seerslab created a pipeline to provide services such as registering performances to an API that can operate AWS Media Services during live performances; purchasing tickets; and logging into, viewing, and providing VOD services post-event. AWS Elemental MediaLive and AWS Elemental MediaConvert were used to build the workflow. Seerslab also built the API with AWS Lambda, so services are only charged for when there is a performance.

Seerslab was able to quickly launch the Fanbox service with the support of APN Partner Megazone Cloud and AWS. Singer AleXa was the first performer to use Fanbox. AleXa's concert was globally broadcasted live through Fanbox and had an audience of 6,900 paying viewers. AWS Media Services made it easy to scale to meet viewer demand and produced a successful show.

Director Kim Jae-cheol explained that AWS enables streaming in a global content delivery network (CDN) environment and provides optimal infrastructure for the development and implementation of 4K-quality live streams. Seerslab is able to quickly test and apply various functions within AWS required for Fanbox services.

Additionally, Seerslab receives various support services from AWS, such as credits through the AWS Activate program. According to Director Kim Jae-cheol, “With the stability and scalability of AWS, as well as various media services, we were able to build Fanbox within a short period of time and to provide a stable service. Without AWS Media Services, it would have taken a lot of time to develop Fanbox's media service. In the future, we will ponder  ways that allow performers to easily create and perform on a virtual stage with only a tablet and also plan to create a transparent platform where performers and fans will be able to benefit through the structure.”

Seerslab is planning to provide a platform where performers and fans are able to easily meet and communicate online by utilizing its Vision AI and AR source technology. The company will continue to build on AWS in order to provide support for more performers to easily create and produce shows.

To learn more, visit AWS Media Services.