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European researchers have launched a beta version of a peer-to-peer streaming video service that is intended to eventually replace traditional broadcasts. This is the latest development from the P2P-Next project which has announced its trial program for streaming live video in true 4th generation P2P system using a zero-server approach.

Dutch academic, Dr. Pouwelse from Delft University of Technology and the P2P-Next scientific director, says: "To be relevant we remain BitTorrent compatible… However, traditional BitTorrent is not compatible with streaming. We solved this problem by dropping the tit-for-tat protocol and making something which is more generic, which we call Give-to-Get."

The P2P-Next project, according to the organization, is a pan-European conglomerate of 21 industrial partners, media content providers and research institutions, which received a €19 million grant from the European Union earlier this year. P2P-Next partners include the BBC, Delft University of Technology, the European Broadcasting Union, Lancaster University, Markenfilm, Pioneer and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, intend to develop a Europe-wide "next-generation" internet television distribution system, based on P2P and social interaction.

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Related topics: P2P