ITV

Tag: OEM

  • Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable join to manage software in STBs

    Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable join to manage software in STBs

    NEW DELHI: Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable have joined hands to manage the Reference Design Kit (RDK) software being used in set-top boxes (STBs).

    The new venture RDK Management will manage the RDK licensing, community support and training, as well as code management.

    Comcast will contribute RDK components into the new entity, including the RDK code and specifications, related intellectual property rights, associated contracts and licenses which will be transitioned to the RDK Management.

    The RDK is a pre-integrated software bundle, developed and licensed by Comcast to create a common framework for powering tru2way, IP or hybrid STBs and gateway devices and accelerate the deployment of video services.

    RDK works with the CableLabs OCAP Reference Implementation software along with other open source components.

    The new entity will provide continuity with the existing licensing program and continue to offer a licensing program similar to the existing program. In addition, the new entity will set up an expanded support program to provide technical support to RDK licensees as operators more broadly deploy the RDK solution.

    Since its introduction in early 2012, more than 100 licensees have joined the RDK community, including OEMs, systems integrators, SOCs and software vendors as well as MVPDs to create a community of innovators focused on bringing rich, multi-screen TV home entertainment experiences to consumers faster.

  • Roku receives $60 mn investment from institutional investor

    Roku receives $60 mn investment from institutional investor

    MUMBAI: California headquartered Roku, which creates streaming software platform for delivering video, music and casual games to the TV has announced that it has received a $60 million investment that readies the company for growth around its streaming software and services businesses. Led by institutional investors, the investment includes participation from large global media and television distribution companies.

    Two new Roku investors participated in the Series F round-the institutional investor and Hearst. They join prior Roku investors, including BSkyB and News Corp in the Series F round.

    The new investment will fuel Roku‘s growth which has accelerated in the last year. Best known for its lineup of streaming players, including the new Roku 3 which has quickly become the new streaming standard in the US, the company is extending its streaming platform by working with other consumer electronics brands. Today, Roku is working with two dozen OEMs who are making more than 3.5 million Roku Ready® devices, predominantly TVs that will be in retail by the end of the year. Roku Ready devices access the Roku streaming platform through the Roku Streaming Stick™, a small USB-sized device sold by Roku. In the coming months, Roku will continue to expand access points to its streaming platform.

    Hearst Ventures senior MD Ken Bronfin said, “Roku has built a strong brand that is widely recognised for great technology and a broad selection of high-quality content. We are truly impressed that Roku has built such a unique position in the market and we look forward to working with them to develop innovative products and services for our television audiences.”

    As well as expanding distribution for its platform, Roku continues to provide streaming entertainment made for the TV experience. Last year Roku had streamed more than one billion hours of video and music.

    Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said, “Roku has a significant portfolio of investment and strategic partners with very successful global businesses. Their recognition of our brand success and belief in the Roku platform is a tremendous endorsement of our potential to shape the future television experience.”

    “BSkyB and News Corporation are exceptional partners and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Hearst in the months to come,” he added.

  • Vishal Gondal quits Disney UTV Digital; Sameer Ganapathy to replace

    Vishal Gondal quits Disney UTV Digital; Sameer Ganapathy to replace

    MUMBAI: UTV Disney managing director – digital Vishal Gondal has decided it is time he should be gone from India‘s premier gaming company. Gondal took over as digital MD of the company in August 2012, almost a year after Indiagames.com a company he founded was acquired by Disney in 2011, following the buyout of media company UTV by Disney. He is serving his notice period and his last working day will be 30 June.

    The Digital team of Disney UTV combines all mobile, video, audio, broadband, ITV, games and virtual world‘s initiatives. All digital content across all brands namely Disney, Marvel, UTV, Indiagames, bindass including original content for web, mobile and games will be developed and managed by this team.

    The gaming pioneer set up Indiagames when he was just 13 in 1999 and ran it for years before a majority stake in it was acquired by Chinese gaming company Tom Online. Tom Online later sold its holdings in Indiagames to UTV. Gondal was appointed as MD of Disney UTV Digital in August 2012 after The Walt Disney Company India restructured its digital assets under a new division, Disney UTV Digital. He took over the role to drive better growth in games, video and audio services for mobile, online and interactive TV.

    Gondal is believed to be quitting the company to concentrate on his investments in startups and also to pursue entrepreneurship. He has been part of the Nokia Advisory Council for Games and actively advices Nokia on wireless and gaming technologies.

    Disney UTV executive director movie channels and channel distribution Sameer Ganapathy will now take on the business function for the digital arm of Disney UTV.

    Disney UTV MD Ronnie Screwvala said, “Vishal has been a great founder and CEO for Indiagames. As we consolidate the digital, mobile and web play for Disney UTV in India, we plan to build on our creative prowess and transform the digital business to be a direct to consumer, yet working closely with all our partners, telecom operators, OEM‘s and others. This is similar to our approach in our other verticals of movies, broadcasting and consumer products. Sameer Ganapathy brings an astute business sense and high resourcefulness to this position, which is key to meet the ever growing trajectory of the digital business in India.”

    “Indiagames had small beginnings but a big dream. I cannot help but look back with a tremendous sense of fulfillment and pride, upon the long, eventful and exciting journey. I am really proud of what the team has accomplished. Excellent support from our early investors Infinity, IL&FS, TOM Online, Adobe, Cisco and UTV and the subsequent acquisition by Walt Disney provided us the opportunity to work towards our vision of making gaming big in India. Over the last 18 months, we have spent time integrating the teams and set a platform for continued growth. Consequently, I‘ve decided to move on to pursue my dreams and passion of being an entrepreneur,” said Gondal.

  • Tata Elxsi introduces consulting services for M&E industry

    Tata Elxsi introduces consulting services for M&E industry

    MUMBAI: Global technology and engineering services provider Tata Elxsi has announced the launch of Strategy & Technology Consulting services (S&TC) for the Media & Entertainment industry.

    The bouquet of consulting services is directed towards Multi System Operators (MSOs), Broadcasters and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) facing challenges related to growth, expansion and technology in both mature and emerging markets, including US, Europe, Latin America and India.

    Tata Elxsi offers its experience in devising and improving customer-centric strategies to increase reach, engagement and monetisation, technology-led strategies to help clients identify, evaluate and deploy cutting-edge B2C technologies and operational aspects to help improve service delivery and quality.

    Tata Elxsi‘s VP and Head-Broadcast Business Unit M Thangarajan said, “Our customers face different and constantly evolving priorities and challenges across geographies. For example, government driven digital switchover policies in countries such as Brazil, India and Mexico present great opportunities as well as challenges for operators, including the choice of adopting technology in a phased manner versus leapfrogging, and related aspects of deployment and operations. The expertise and insight we have developed in mature markets will help us provide the right solutions and strategies for such customers.”

    Tata Elxsi has over 15 years of specialised and global experience in working with leading MSOs, Broadcasters, OEMs, platform and software vendors, supporting their technology, product and services roadmaps.

  • Qualcomm to demonstrate its mobile TV solutions at 3GSM World Congress 2007

    Qualcomm to demonstrate its mobile TV solutions at 3GSM World Congress 2007

    MUMBAI: Qualcomm, which develops and innovates advanced wireless technologies and data solutions has announced that the company will showcase wireless solutions at the 3GSM World Congress 2007 in Barcelona, Spain.

    The event takes place from 12-15 February 2007. its demonstration includes HSPA and UMTS chipsets, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) mobile TV technology, the latest Brew offerings and applications, location-based services and live demonstrations of the MediaFLO System.

    Qualcomm VP, global marketing and investor relations William F. Davidson Jr. says, ” Qualcomm is committed to helping the global wireless industry continue its rapid evolution, as well as achieve its primary goal of ensuring mobile phones and wireless services are accessible and affordable to people in both the developed and developing markets.

    “We’re proud to be a part of 3GSM 2007 and, along with our partners, showcase our advanced wireless solutions.”

    During 3GSM 2007, Qualcomm and its partners will be conducting a number of live demonstrations:

    — MediaFLO Technologies demonstration of 20 live-streaming television channels, including Spanish and European content from Abertis and Sky, and Clipcasting content from Warner Music Group on three OEM handsets.

    — IP datacasting demonstrations of news, sports and weather streaming.

    — The world’s first demonstration of MBMS mobile TV technology, delivering multiple channels over the air using UMTS networks.

    — Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7XXX-series chipsets, showcasing stunning 3D graphics and gaming capabilities.

    — Position-location capabilities of gpsOne(R) assisted-GPS technology and gpsOneXTRA assistance technology, which expands the capabilities of standalone GPS.

    — High-quality VoIP demonstration using HSPA technology, and running simultaneously with other leading data applications such as video sharing, video streaming and Web browsing.

    — HSPA video streaming, Web browsing and video sharing.

    — Commercial uiOne handsets and demonstrations of advanced uiOne capabilities.

    — Brew gaming and BREW locate signature solutions.

    — Dell, HP and Lenovo will demonstrate their latest HSDPA-embedded notebook computers in Qualcomm’s booth, all on the commercial Vodafone Spain HSDPA network.

    — OQO in collaboration with Novatel Wireless, will conduct a technology demonstration of their Ultra Mobile PC (OQO model 02) with HSPA capability, incorporating the SM6280 chipset targetted for Europe and Asia.

  • NDS completes acquisition of Jungo

    NDS completes acquisition of Jungo

    MUMBAI: Pay TV technology firm NDS has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of the share capital of Jungo.

    Jungo provides residential and business gateway software platforms and applications. Jungo’s flagship products, OpenRG – the residential gateway software platform and OpenSMB – the small and medium gateway software platform enable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring broadband customer premises equipment (CPE) such as Residential Gateways, triple play gateways, office-in-a-box gateway, firewall/VPN routers to market quickly.

    Jungo also develops USBware, a complete embedded USB software stack for mobile handsets, set top boxes and other consumer devices, and WinDriver, – a driver development toolkit that enables developers to create custom device drivers for multitude of operating systems.

    NDS last month had announced plans to acquire Jungo. The acquisition NDS says bolsters its position in the growing broadband television market Jungo’s products and expertise further accelerate introduction of new end-to-end solutions for the converging broadcast/broadband market.