Microsoft Corp. Monday launched the Microsoft TV Platform, an open, standards-based solution
that provides a scalable platform for enabling enhanced-TV services.
The Microsoft
TV Platform includes technologies that will enable network
operators to deliver Enhanced-TV services to both set-top boxes currently on
the market and new, advanced set-top boxes expected to be rolled out later
this year.
More than 100 companies, including content developers, tools
vendors, ISVs, IHVs, systems integrators and OEMs, are engaged in various
stages of creating solutions based on the Microsoft TV Platform.
“We are thrilled not only to offer an expanded product line, but also to see
an ever-increasing level of industry support for the Microsoft TV Platform,”
said Jon DeVaan, senior vice president of the Consumer Group at Microsoft.
“With the addition of the two newest members of the Microsoft TV Platform
family, network operators now have the widest range of options to suit their
strategic needs for deployment, enabling them to offer compelling new
Enhanced-TV services to their customers.”
The Microsoft TV Platform supports a broad menu of new TV applications and
services, including multiplayer gaming, interactive content, shopping,
e-mail, chat, pay-per-view, video on demand, personalized advertising and
Internet access.
The Microsoft TV Platform consists of four software solutions for both
current- and next-generation set-top boxes and integrated- TV devices:
TV devices. The software adapts and extends the Microsoft Windows CE
operating system to television products and supports features including an
integrated browser environment for television, graphics and streaming audio
and video services, communications and home networking services, conditional
access, an electronic programming guide (EPG), built-in applications such as
Personal TV and multiplayer gaming, and a set of developer interfaces for
third-party applications and services
enhanced-TV services to the current generation of set-top boxes based on
digital cable, satellite, digital terrestrial and MMDS networks. Microsoft TV
Basic Digital integrates the NDS VideoGuard conditional access product, which
provides a path for network operators that want to expand their support for
basic video-centric services to encompass more enhanced-TV services
operator’s enhanced-TV services, managing the set-top boxes and the services
on the network. Microsoft TV Server provides network operators with a range
of software components to build, deliver and manage large-scale,
commercial-grade enhanced-TV and TV-commerce services
solution for delivering interactive content and services to the current
generation of digital set-top boxes. By enabling the use of
current-generation set-top boxes, network operators can preserve current
investments in digital cable. Using patented technology developed at Peach
Networks Ltd., Microsoft TV Access Channel Server enables service providers
to “narrowcast” application sessions over MPEG2 video to digital cable
set-top boxes
