Streaming Learning Center Where Streaming Professionals Learn to Excel
Related Articles
In this interview at Mile High Video 2025, Juan Pablo Saibene (JP) from Qualabs describes the innovative work Qualabs is doing in media technology. Qualabs is based in Montevideo, Uruguay, and specializes in software engineering outsourcing and product development for video technology companies across the U.S. and Europe. JP discusses the company’s approach of building specialized teams rather than selling individual staff, emphasizing their focus on innovation and collaborative problem-solving.
You can watch the interview on YouTube here, and it’s embedded below. Some of JP’s comments are edited slightly for readability.
Contents
About Qualabs
JP started by describing Qualabs, explaining that the company focuses on software engineering outsourcing and product development, primarily for media technology. According to JP, they work with video technology companies and media organizations, mostly in the U.S. and Europe, while operating from Montevideo, Uruguay. He says, “We’re mainly a software engineering outsourcing and product engineering outsourcing for media technology… We work for video technology companies and also for media companies, mostly in the States, but also Europe.”
JP highlights Qualabs’ unique approach of building teams tailored to solve complex engineering problems. “We don’t sell people. We don’t sell staff. We sell teams… that are good at tackling any engineering problems in video distribution,” he explains. This team-centric model allows them to provide innovative solutions in video distribution, streaming, backend engineering, platform engineering, and data engineering.
Driving Innovation in Media Technology
Innovation and collaborative problem-solving are core principles at Qualabs. JP describes their work across various domains, including media workflows, streaming, backend engineering, platform development, and player engineering. “We do a lot of player work… it could be helping companies that are below the curve move forward, or companies that are actually innovating a lot,” he says.
JP emphasizes that Qualabs focuses on projects that push the boundaries of technology. “We don’t consider ourselves the best for low-cost resources… but we do believe that there’s a lot of knowledge and innovation that we can bring to the table,” he notes.
Open-Source Projects and Technological Advancements
Qualabs is heavily involved in open-source projects that drive industry standards. JP explains that they are working on server-guided ad insertion, DASH overlays, and alternative manifest formats. These projects are being developed both on the client side, such as player implementations, and on the backend, which supports scalable ad solutions.
He elaborates, “We’ve been doing a bunch of open source work around server ad insertions, around DASH, around CMCD (Common Media Client Data). We’re doing a lot of work that is actually being drafted at this moment in the standards.” JP highlights how this contributes to interoperability and scalability, which are crucial for major media companies managing large volumes of ad-supported content.
Industry Trends and Challenges
JP discusses the growing importance of interoperability in media standards and the evolving role of connected TVs, which are becoming a dominant platform for streaming content. He states, “If we want to make this industry profitable, we need more interoperability.” This is particularly relevant as server-guided ad insertion continues to gain traction.
The interview also touches on the impact of ad blockers and the challenges they present. JP acknowledges that while server-guided ad insertion does not eliminate ad blockers, it offers innovative ways to manage content delivery and advertising strategies.
Mile High Conference Experience
JP explains why Qualabs finds the Mile High Video Conference so valuable, emphasizing its technical focus and the high level of industry discussions. “It’s probably one of the most technical conferences we go to… but also, there’s a lot of innovation going on here, not only in the presentations but in the discussions afterward,” he says.
JP highlights the unique networking opportunities at the conference, noting that the conversations between sessions are just as valuable as the presentations themselves. This atmosphere of collaborative problem-solving aligns with Qualabs’ commitment to innovation.
Qualabs Summer Camp: Fostering Global Collaboration
The Qualabs Summer Camp, held annually in Montevideo, Uruguay, combines open-source collaboration, technical workshops, cultural activities, and community networking. JP describes how the event has grown from just a few participants to over 30 attendees from 20 different companies.
The event features collaborative open-source projects, tech presentations, workshops, lightning talks, and cultural experiences, including a traditional Uruguayan barbecue (asado). “It’s a mix of cultural activities like getting to know Montevideo and Uruguay… but also a lot of networking and conversations,” JP explains.
JP emphasizes the flexible nature of the Summer Camp, where participants can tailor their experience by choosing to work remotely, fully engage in open-source projects, or bring their families to enjoy the cultural aspects of Uruguay. He adds, “It’s difficult to explain what you can do because everyone kind of builds their own path that week.”
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
This interview provides a comprehensive look at Qualabs’ contributions to media technology and their role in shaping industry standards through open-source innovation and strategic collaboration. JP’s insights into server-guided ad insertion, DASH overlays, interoperability, and the connected TV market highlight the company’s commitment to driving innovation.
Qualabs’ unique approach to building specialized teams and their involvement in open-source projects demonstrate their impact on the media tech landscape. The Mile High Video Conference and the annual Summer Camp further reflect Qualabs’ dedication to fostering global industry engagement and community collaboration.
Watch the full interview to gain a deeper understanding of Qualabs’ vision and JP’s perspectives on the future of media technology.
