.png)
A few years ago, Summer Camp was just an idea, a dream of bringing together some of the leaders in video tech for a week of collaboration, learning, and connection. We imagined a space where professionals could step away from their daily routines, immerse themselves in new ideas, and build something meaningful. But what we never expected was how this dream would evolve into something much bigger.
This year, 17 campers arrived in Montevideo but they didn’t come alone! Partners, children, siblings, and friends joined the experience, transforming Summer Camp into more than just a tech gathering. It became a place where work and life blended seamlessly, where families became part of the journey, and where connections extended beyond business.
At Qualabs, we’ve always believed that collaboration goes beyond code and projects. By opening our doors to families, we created something truly unique an event that feels like home.
A space unlike any other
From the moment everyone arrived, there was a feeling in the air—this was different! The usual stiffness of professional gatherings was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was warmth, excitement, and a shared eagerness to connect. Some had never been to Uruguay before; for others, this was a return to something they already knew would be special.
Conversations didn’t start with business cards but with curiosity and openness. There was no rush, no pressure just the simple joy of sharing a moment with people who, despite coming from different parts of the world, somehow spoke the same language.
"We don’t normally make time for these kinds of discussions. I had to travel to another continent to finally give myself that space, and I have zero regrets. The conversations we had here were real, deep, and necessary. It wasn’t just a session, it was a moment of true connection."
This year also marked an important milestone for Summer Camp: the first-ever Women’s Empowerment Program. As part of our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive industry, we created a space where women in video tech could connect, share experiences, and discuss the challenges they face.
A space of deep connection, vulnerability, and empowerment. Through open discussions, personal reflections, and shared experiences, participants discovered how, despite different backgrounds, many had faced similar challenges. The journey was emotional and transformative, highlighting the importance of creating spaces where women can support, encourage, and inspire each other.
More than talks and wine, a space for building
Summer Camp has never been just about networking or casual meetups. Yes, there was wine, incredible food, and cultural experiences, but what truly defined the week was the hands-on collaboration on open-source projects that impact the video community worldwide.
One of the key moments of the week was MonteVIDEO Tech Day, held at the highest building in Montevideo, offering a stunning city view. There, we hosted expert panels and technical talks covering everything from authentication standards to the future of live captions. It was a day of knowledge-sharing, discussions, and fresh perspectives on the challenges shaping the video industry.
.png)
As the week progressed, campers felt the need to give back. That’s how the Lightning Talks came to life—spontaneous, camper-led sessions covering topics like encoder architectures, ad tech, short-form video, and more. A true reflection of what Summer Camp is about: learning, sharing, and growing together.
All of this set the stage for what came next: the Summer Projects Demos, where collaboration turned into real, tangible impact. This year, two key projects took center stage:
MoQ Player: The future of open video delivery
The MoQ (Media over QUIC) Player was one of the most ambitious projects tackled during Summer Camp. This new approach to video delivery leverages QUIC technology to enhance streaming efficiency and reduce latency, making it a game-changer for the industry. The work done here laid the foundation for an open-source player that developers across the world can build upon.
More details on the MoQ Player project, including its development progress and technical insights. During the camp, the team achieved major milestones, such as:
"If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be in Uruguay, working on an open-source player with some of the best engineers in the industry, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are, making something that could change how we stream video."
- 10 feature requests closed & 12 new ones opened
- 22 pull requests merged, improving functionality and stability
- A fully modular player with Web Component support
- Custom UI enabled with Media Chrome compatibility
- Web bundle creation & sample pages for easier implementation
- Officially available as an NPM package for seamless integration
SGAI (Server-Guided Ad Insertion): A new era for ad tech
Monetization is one of the biggest challenges in streaming, and the SGAI project aimed to improve the way ads are served. By developing a VAST-to-SGAI solution, the team worked on making ad insertion more efficient, dynamic, and user-friendly. This wasn’t just an exercise in theory—the work done here has the potential to shape how ad-supported content is delivered in the future.
More details on the SGAI project, including the breakthroughs achieved during Summer Camp. Key milestones include:
"The beauty of Summer Camp is that we’re not just discussing ideas—we’re building them. The work we did here on SGAI can have real implications for the industry, and it’s exciting to be part of that."
- Developed a VAST-2-SGAI solution to streamline ad delivery
- Created a stateless, Dockerized proxy service to act as a bridge between the Ad server and the player
- Implemented ad tracking based on SVTA Ad Creative Signaling Draft
- Developed an hls.js plugin to handle interstitial events and process tracking payloads
- Enhanced personalized ad experiences with query parameters for better targeting
These projects are a testament to what happens when passionate people come together with a shared purpose! The ideas don’t just stay as discussions—they turn into something real, something that can make a difference in the video tech community.
A goodbye that wasn’t really goodbye
As the week came to an end, campers, Qualabers, and friends gathered one last time to reflect on the experience, express gratitude, and celebrate everything that had been shared. It was a moment to connect, to appreciate the journey, and to embrace the friendships that had formed along the way.
"The Qualabs team has been incredible, helping us get set up and supporting us as a family. The other campers are amazing. This has been an awesome experience."
On the last day of Summer Week, the campers traveled east of Montevideo to close the week the way it should be, with an asado! More than just a meal, for Uruguayans, an asado is a ritual, a time to gather, share, and celebrate. Between stories, laughter, and the unmistakable aroma of the grill, it was a moment to reflect on everything built throughout the week—not just in projects, but in friendships, ideas, and a growing community. As people started to leave, there were no formal goodbyes—only plans for what’s next.
Because Summer Camp isn’t just something you attend. It’s something you become a part of. And as the last campers packed their bags and took one final look at Montevideo, one thing was certain: This is just the beginning! 💚
