Skystream Networks And Opentv Demonstrate Bandwidth Saving Solution
LOS ANGELES (Western Show 2000), Calif. — Nov. 29, 2000 — SkyStream Networks, a leading provider of converged broadband networking solutions, and OpenTV (NASDAQ and AEX: OPTV), the world's leading interactive television and media solutions company, will demonstrate a new solution that will enable cable operators to offer advanced interactive TV content services, such as email, news, and weather, using untapped bandwidth from digital cable networks. Cable operators will be able to add channels with localized interactive content to their existing channel lineup with the joint solution as well. By expanding their services, operators can increase their revenue-generating opportunities by capitalizing on existing bandwidth. The demonstration will take place in SkyStream's booth (#217) at The Western Show.
The combination of SkyStream's SMR-C45 (Source Media Router) and OpenTV's OpenStreamer Server and Broadcast Manager STB middleware, will allow cable MSOs to enhance their current digital architecture to bring interactive TV content and multicast Internet services, such as walled gardens, to customers via the in-band channels of a digital cable network.
Using a new technique called in-band data broadcasting, cable MSOs can broadcast rich interactive TV and Internet content to their entire subscriber base without consuming additional bandwidth. The SkyStream SMR-C45 delivers interactive TV and Internet data content via the video-only portion of a cable operator's network, leveraging its one-to-many functionality. Cable operators can gain bandwidth optimizing benefits with SkyStream technologies located at the cable headend, and existing OpenTV-enabled set-top boxes.
"The combination of SkyStream's innovative digital media routing platform with OpenTV's interactive television solution will be of strategic value to cable operators as they race to usher in this new era of television," said Jim Olson, president and CEO of SkyStream Networks.
"This demonstration at The Western Show is an exciting example of the additional means cable operators have to offer consumers the best interactive content and service," said James Ackerman, president and COO of OpenTV, "As well as additional revenue potential."
About SkyStream Cable Solutions
SkyStream's new SMR-C45 offers a slim profile and opportunistic bandwidth capabilities which enable cable operators to install them in space-constrained hub and headend environments for high-speed in-band data delivery. The SMR products allow service providers to deliver rich digital content like streaming web pages over broadcast networks like satellite, digital cable and television to be cached at the edge of an ISP premises at cable headend or directly on a consumers' PC or set-top box.
By enabling the reliable delivery of rich content, SkyStream's SMR platform is the cornerstone of SkyStream's content delivery solution. Each SMR features throughput speeds for voice and data up to 160Mbps, nearly doubling those of other competitive products, making it capable of distributing data over multi-carrier high-speed cable networks and next-generation (8PSK) satellite networks.
About SkyStream Networks
SkyStream Networks is an international networking infrastructure company whose products enable service providers and broadcasters to deliver digital services like TV-quality Internet video, CD-quality audio and enhanced television over converged broadband networks. SkyStream's media routers and software allow service providers to deliver media-rich content with a consistently high level of performance and quality to millions of people or multiple locations closer to the user, leveraging the global reach of digital television, satellite and cable networks. SkyStream's customers are satellite, content distribution, Internet and cable companies around the world, including EchoStar Communications Corporation, Edgix, iBEAM Broadcasting, Geocast Networks, Granite Broadcasting, Pacific Convergence Corporation and Telefonica.
SkyStream Networks
About OpenTV
OpenTV is the world's leading interactive television and media solutions company. OpenTV builds a complete software and infrastructure platform that enables digital interactive television and brings on-demand content to other digital communications devices. OpenTV solutions are crafted to meet the needs of all digital communications networks and include operating middleware, content applications, content creation tools, professional services expertise and strategic consulting.
OpenTV's software has been shipped with or installed in more than eleven million digital set-top boxes worldwide and has been selected by 35 digital cable, satellite and terrestrial Communications Networks in over 50 countries, including BSkyB in the United Kingdom; TPS and Noos in France; PrimaCom in Germany; Via Digital in Spain; Stream in Italy; DIRECTV™ Latin America LLC; and EchoStar's DISH Network in the U.S. In addition, more than 31 digital set-top box manufacturers have licensed OpenTV'ssoftware, and OpenTV's authoring tools are licensed to more than 650 independent developers and content service providers. Worldwide headquarters for OpenTV is located in Mountain View, Calif.