Transcript
Page 1: OpenTV Home Networking White Paper

White Paper

OpenTV® IPTV Solutions

September 2005

OpenTV, Inc.

275 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, CA 94111

This document contains information that is proprietary to OpenTV, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction or disclosure of this information in whole or in part is prohibited.

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Copyright and reproduction notice Copyright ©2005 by OpenTV, Inc. All rights reserved. No part or contents of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of OpenTV, Inc., located at 275 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, California 94111-3810, U.S.A.

Patents OpenTV’s software and services are protected by and/or access, perform, or enable methods and systems protected by one or more patents and/or patent applications in the U.S. and other countries.

Trademarks OpenTV®, the OpenTV logo, OpenTV Core middleware, and OpenTV PVR 2.0 are service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of OpenTV, Inc. in the United States of America and other countries. This is not an exhaustive list.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Solaris, Java, and the Java logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Adobe, Acrobat, PostScript and Display Postscript are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Warranty disclaimer THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

THIS PUBLICATION COULD INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY ADDED TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN; THESE CHANGES MAY BE INCORPORATED IN NEW EDITIONS OF THE PUBLICATION. OPENTV AND/OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR CHANGES IN THE PRODUCT(S) AND/OR THE PROGRAM(S) DESCRIBED IN THIS PUBLICATION AT ANY TIME.

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Table of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................................................................4

2. IPTV OVERVIEW ..............................................................................................................................................5 2.1 WHAT IS IPTV?...........................................................................................................................................5 2.2 IPTV MARKET TRENDS................................................................................................................................5 2.3 FIRST GENERATION IPTV ............................................................................................................................6 2.4 NEXT GENERATION IPTV.............................................................................................................................7

3. THE VALUE OF MIDDLEWARE ......................................................................................................................9

4. OPENTV IPTV MIDDLEWARE.......................................................................................................................10 4.1 OPENTV DIGITAL TV SOLUTIONS...............................................................................................................10 4.2 OPENTV CORE MIDDLEWARE ....................................................................................................................11 4.3 OPENTV CORE FOR IPTV .........................................................................................................................13 4.4 OPENTV ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS FOR IPTV..............................................................................................14

5. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR CABLE OPERATORS.............................................................................16 5.1 TRADITIONAL QAM CABLE DEPLOYMENTS WITH OPENTV ...........................................................................16 5.2 OPENTV HYBRID IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR CABLE OPERATORS ......................................................................16 5.3 WHY CONSIDER IPTV? .............................................................................................................................17

6. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR SATELLITE OPERATORS......................................................................18 6.1 TRADITIONAL QPSK SATELLITE DEPLOYMENTS WITH OPENTV....................................................................18 6.2 OPENTV HYBRID IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR SATELLITE OPERATORS.................................................................18 6.3 WHY CONSIDER IPTV? .............................................................................................................................18

7. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR TELECOM OPERATORS........................................................................19 7.1 TRADITIONAL TELCO TV (IPTV) DEPLOYMENTS WITH OPENTV ...................................................................19 7.2 OPENTV HYBRID IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR TELECOM OPERATORS..................................................................20 7.3 WHY CONSIDER IPTV? .............................................................................................................................20

8. SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................................21

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a fast growing digital TV delivery technology that enables cable, satellite and telecommunication providers to launch PayTV services either on their own or in partnership with other operators to create hybrid IPTV solutions.

Factors driving the increased interest in IPTV solutions include telecommunication companies facing increased competition, from both other Telcos and from digital cable operators who are offering triple-play services of voice, video and data. Cable companies are exploring the opportunity to partner with Telcos or even lease lines from Telcos allowing them to expand their services beyond the reach of their existing cable infrastructure. Satellite operators are also exploring relationships with Telcos to leverage high speed DSL services to enable two-way services for their consumers. All of these initiatives are driving these companies to adopt technology that is suited for the delivery of television, voice, and data over their existing infrastructure or hybrid models in offering the most compelling service bundle to their consumers.

OpenTV has developed a standards-based IPTV solution that implements IPTV using a mature, proven, embedded STB middleware platform used today by most of the leading suppliers of STB technology. Our solution empowers cable, satellite and telcos to deliver stand-alone and hybrid IPTV solutions that best fit their business needs.

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2. IPTV OVERVIEW

2.1 What is IPTV? It is important to first define what is meant by IPTV and how it differs from to traditional video streaming over the Internet. IPTV is the delivery of traditional PayTV services, including broadcast television, pay-per-view, VOD, PVR, interactive TV and applications over a closed, two-way broadband IP network to an IP enabled set-top box. With IPTV, the network operator (cable, satellite, telco or DTT) controls the user experience, the programming and applications delivered, and the quality of service (QOS) of the broadband IP pipe to the subscriber, whether xDSL or cable modem. IPTV includes support for both standard and high definition television (HDTV) and is not necessarily tied to any particular video format (e.g. MPEG-2 or MPEG-4).

What IPTV is not, is about allowing any content provider to stream live, full-screen broadcast video over the Internet directly to subscribers without network operator control since no end-to-end QOS can be guaranteed. IPTV does not preclude these services, or services such downloadable movies by third-parties over the Internet (e.g. MovieLink) but the expectation from consumers when subscribing to IPTV is a digital television service that is as reliable or more reliable than today’s cable, satellite or DTT services.

2.2 IPTV Market Trends In recent years the interest in IPTV delivery of traditional PayTV services has grown significantly not only from telecommunications operators wishing to enter the PayTV market, but from cable and satellite operators who can also benefit from the cost savings of IPTV delivery and the advantages of moving from a broadcast to a two-way broadband delivery of digital television services. This new interest is driven by a number of market forces currently in effect.

The Growth of Broadband Worldwide

The availability of two-way broadband, both cable and xDSL, has exploded in recent years driven primarily by consumer demand for fast Internet access to support not only more feature rich web content, but services such as media streaming for music and video (e.g. Rhapsody and MovieLink), on-line gaming for game consoles and PCs (e.g. xBox Live! and GameSpy), new communication applications that support VOIP (e.g. Yahoo! Messenger and Skype), and personal media sharing and publishing services such as photo sharing and video blogging services (e.g. Snapfish).

This increased deployment of broadband services creates economies of scale for delivering IPTV to consumers as part of a triple-play of voice, video and data.

Moore’s Law and Reduced Equipment Costs

Moore’s Law has driven down the cost of all equipment required by an operator to deliver PayTV services over two-way broadband IP networks, from video encoding hardware to core and access network equipment to customer premises equipment (set-tops) needed to decode and deliver protected digital television experiences to consumers. Interchangeable, standards-based hardware and software has given operators to pick and choose vendors from which to deliver IPTV services.

The reduced cost allows operators to deploy access network equipment such as DSLAMs closer to the home. In many regions, telcos are deploying fiber to the curb, while builders of apartment complexes are increasingly wiring their buildings with Ethernet in addition to twisted pair or coax. This trend is especially evident in new construction of single and multi-unit dwellings. In addition, new wireless transmission schemes such as WiMax will offer alternative access to the home at very high bit rates.

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The Growth of the Home Network and Connected Devices

In addition to the continuing decline in cost for set-top boxes, cheaper PCs, home networking equipment such as WIFI routers and consumer electronic devices such as digital cameras and portable media players has led to an increased demand from consumers to connect these devices so that media is accessible on-demand and on devices and times that are most convenient to the user. This growth when combined with IPTV helps build the backbone needed by operators to deliver PayTV and other triple play services to consumers.

The Reemergence of the Triple-Play

Competitive pressure among cable, satellite and telecom operators when combined with lower equipment costs and home networking is bringing new importance to the bundling of voice, video and data services in a way that is relevant to subscribers. Network operators need to deliver these bundled services with a common infrastructure (i.e. OSS/BSS) and a common user experience in order to maximize revenue and maintain customer loyalty.

Improvements in Bandwidth Efficiency with Next Generation Media Formats

The advancements in broadband penetration and declining equipment costs have been further enhanced by improvements in media compression from traditional MPEG-2 to newer, more bandwidth efficient formats including AVC (aka MPEG4-10, H.264) and VC1 (aka VC9, WM9) formats. These new compression techniques can offer operators up to a 3 to 1 compression advantage over MPEG-2, allowing content to be delivered to consumers more cost effectively. Hardware solutions that support real-time MPEG4 encoding are already available from companies such as TANDBERG Television and Harmonic, as well as set-top boxes that support hardware decoding of these new media formats, creating the economic conditions necessary for IPTV delivery of both standard and high-definition TV programming.

Regulatory Changes Force Broadband Competition

Regulation has also played an important role in building an economic base for the IPTV markets. In many markets, regulators have forced ILECs to un-bundle the local loop and have regulated access to the cabinets in the local exchange as well as control over leased lines. These policies have allowed third parties to compete with ILECs in offering price competitive broadband access services.

2.3 First Generation IPTV First generation IPTV deployments consisted of telcos deploying terminal-style set-top boxes running web browsers, where all applications subscribers interacted with, such as the program guide, VOD portals, and channel changing resided in centralized servers. Broadcast programming was delivered as either unicast or multicast streams to set-top boxes and VOD and EPG data is delivered using proprietary formats. When the user decides to switch channels for example, the STB sends a proprietary command encapsulated in HTTP to the server farm, which triggers routing of the appropriate multicast through the access network to the appropriate home. The IPTV client establishes the descrambling / decoding session in the STB through proprietary extensions to the HTML / JavaScript DOM. A similar scenario applies for VOD sessions, which are initiated by the IPTV client through proprietary commands to the server farm.

While this server-based solution offers some benefits to operators, including a familiar model used to deploy broadband services on a large scale to PCs and simplified network architecture, it also presents a number of drawbacks, including

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• Poor User Experience – The reliance of HTML and a round-trip communication significantly slows the user experience for applications that are user interaction intensive, such as the EPG, not allowing operators to deliver PayTV services that are competitive with today’s cable and satellite TV services.

• Increased Network Traffic – Valuable bandwidth needed for supporting multiple set-tops within the home is used inefficiently by sending content and information (e.g. EPG data) to set-tops on demand rather than broadcast to all set-tops.

• Fewer Application Types – The reliance on browser technology on the set-top limits the types of applications that can be delivered to consumers. Games or communication applications can not be developed in a way that is compelling and TV-like, limiting subscriber satisfaction and revenue opportunities.

• Increased Single Points of Failure – The reliance on multiple servers, including firewalls, firewalls, load balancers, web servers and application servers for delivering basic video programming does not allow the set-top to continue to deliver PayTV services should equipment failure occur.

• Reliance on Proprietary Protocols – The reliance on proprietary technologies and protocols for delivering PayTV services (e.g. signaling, EPG data, channel surfing, and VOD session management via HML/JavaScript extensions) limits operator choice when sourcing IPTV vendors as its service grows.

2.4 Next Generation IPTV

Not Just for Telcos Anymore

While most IPTV solutions in deployment today involve telecommunications operators experimenting with first-generation IPTV services over xDSL, the fact is that a significant number of cable and satellite operators are exploring IPTV solutions to cost-effectively augment distribution of PayTV services, in some cases in collaboration with telecom operators.

Cable operators in regions where leasing DSL lines is more cost effective than extending the HFC network are leasing DSL lines to offers the operator immediate access to new subscribers and compete territories in order to compete more effectively against DTH and/or telco operators on a nationwide basis (e.g. Auna in Spain).

Satellite operators can also benefit from IPTV through hybrid solutions by delivering satellite services to multiple dwelling units (MDUs) and distributing them within the MDU via IPTV or by partnering with Telcos where the mutual benefit of delivering a combined triple-play offering competitive with cable (e.g. SBC and Echostar in the USA), or by delivering an entire bouquet of television programming over a Telco’s xDSL network (e.g. SkyPerfecTV with NTT in Japan).

Finally, telecommunication operators such as large ILECs (e.g. France Telecom in France) or large CLECs (e.g, PCCWin Hong-Kong) are protective their margins on voice and data services by offering added value to their customers through Pay TV services either alone, in partnership with satellite operators as mentioned above or by taking advantage of the free to air digital content available in their territory, augmented with VOD over broadband (e.g. BT Freeview receiver in the UK).

Improved Architecture and Economics

Next generation IPTV services improve on early deployments through the use of “smart clients” and by leveraging existing industry standards technology, hardware and software used in broadcast television, while preserving established standards proven in first generation IPTV networks such as IP multicast. Examples of substituted proprietary elements of first generation IPTV networks with standardized formats and protocols include

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• DVB for signaling and EPG data

• DVB for encapsulation of SPTS into IP multicast

• DVB for encapsulation of MPEG 4 into MPEG transport

• RTSP and DSM-CC for VOD session control

• DDE-T for TV extensions to HTML, MHP for TV extensions to Java

Through use of existing industry standards, network operators can leverage existing proven suppliers of digital television software, hardware and technology, including conditional access and encoding systems to provide reliable and cost-effective digital TV services. Furthermore, next generation IPTV solutions based on “smart clients” help reduce the size of server farms and network traffic.

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3. THE VALUE OF MIDDLEWARE Whether delivering traditional PayTV services over broadcast or broadband IP (IPTV) networks, the role of middleware is to

• Provide a Common Platform for PayTV Services – OpenTV middleware provides operators with a common platform across multiple generations of set-top boxes that is backward compatible and can be enabled to include functionality (e.g. PVR, home networking) from the lowest to most advanced set-top boxes. Operators benefit from this common platform by being able to ensure that content and services created for the OpenTV platform can be delivered across their installed based of set-tops as their business grows.

• Provide Operator Choice of Vendors and Technology – OpenTV middleware helps operators abstract key technologies needed for delivering digital TV services, including set-top vendors, CA vendors, VOD vendors, OSS/BSS vendors, asset management vendors, and transparent support for a variety of media formats including MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 in standard and high definition. Operators benefit from OpenTV’s established and open APIs by being able to source from multiple vendors, helping reduce service operation costs.

• Provide The Best User Experience – OpenTV middleware’s compact and efficient use of set-top resources and multiple application environments help operators and third-parties build user experiences that are maximized for the target set-top platform with applications residing on the set-top box, providing a user experience that remains compelling and TV-like. Operators benefit by helping keep subscribers engaged with compelling and relevant user experiences and services.

• Provide a Foundation for Advanced TV Services – OpenTV middleware provides operators advanced functionality needed to deliver television beyond just “me too” TV. Support for home networking, multi-room and multi-tuner PVR, VOD, and interactive and enhanced TV take operators beyond the basic functionality available with other IPTV solutions. Operators benefit by building their digital TV services on a platform that will enable them to remain competitive with the most advanced digital TV services deployed today.

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4. OPENTV IPTV MIDDLEWARE

4.1 OpenTV Digital TV Solutions

OpenTV is the largest supplier of middleware for advanced digital television services in the world, powering the world’s leading cable, satellite and digital terrestrial deployments across 96 countries worldwide. OpenTV provides a complete suite of software, services, and tools designed to help network operators deliver compelling digital TV service offerings and experiences.

Advanced Digital Television

Open TV set-top and enterprise middleware enables operators to deliver a broad range of advanced digital television services driven by fast and comprehensive electronic program guides, including broadcast television (e.g. tiered program packages, pay-per-view), on-demand television (NVOD and VOD), multi-tuner and multi-room PVR, network PVR, standard and high-definition television, interactive television (t-commerce, games) and enhanced television (multi-camera angle and mosaics) applications.

The advanced features provided by OpenTV middleware are modular in order to meet the capacity and functionality of a variety of set-top boxes deployed on an operator’s digital TV network.

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Participation Television

Today’s digital TV networks offer programmers and advertisers new ways to reach viewers, moving beyond simple interactive TV to campaign-based participation television across multiple devices. OpenTV’s new participation television solution helps programmers increase revenue and viewer loyalty by reaching out through active and engaging viewer participation events. Events including live competitions, quizzes, auctions, voting, sales and charity events can be delivered as managed campaigns to viewers participating by phone, mobile phone, PC and participation-enabled televisions. OpenTV’s solution provides the right marketing and CRM tools to help you maximize viewer loyalty and retention and long-term relationships with viewers.

Advanced Advertising

OpenTV’s advanced advertising solutions help provide operators, programmers, and advertisers the ability to deliver the more engaging, relevant, and valuable advertising and promotions to consumers in the new on-demand world. OpenTV advanced advertising solutions include interactivity, addressability, ad telescoping and audience measurement. Through interactivity network operators can enhance promotion of their TV services, programmers to differentiate their programming, and advertisers to maximize impact to their target audiences. OpenTV addressable advertising solutions include targeting video, audio, or still image advertisements at the headend or node to groups of subscribers or down to the set-top box to individual households or rooms within the home. OpenTV provides the ability to deliver more effective promotion and advertising through support for ad telescoping at the set-top level. With telescoping, once viewers are presented with relevant promotion, they can drill down to richer experience including long form ads and video catalogues. And finally, OpenTV provides sophisticated tools for audience measurement and tracking, including customer usage of broadcast and on-demand programming, ad viewing, and interactive television and application interactions.

4.2 OpenTV Core Middleware OpenTV Core is the embedded software solution (middleware) that resides on the set-top box, designed to meet the demands of the digital interactive television market. OpenTV Core supports satellite, cable, and digital terrestrial broadcast networks with all levels of connectivity - from one-way satellite services to complex bi-directional cable and broadband IP networks. OpenTV Core provides a compact software platform bundled with a variety of modular, optional extensions for fast and easy deployment of advanced digital television with interactive services. The modularity of the extensions to OpenTV Core middleware enables us to selectively build only the features or communication options that are supported by the target Set-Top Box (STB) platform (For example: support for DOCSIS for broadband cable or support for PSTN for satellite or Ethernet for IPTV). Additional optional extensions also allow use of content created using open industry standards (JavaScript and HTML) authoring environments and to support advanced features such as digital video recording (DVR / PVR) capability.

35 of the world’s leading set-top manufacturers, including Motorola, Panasonic, Pace, Sony and Thomson supply over 110 unique set-top box models powered by OpenTV middleware. OpenTV's authoring tools are also licensed to hundreds of independent application developers and content service providers worldwide, providing network operators a large pool of content an applications from which to deploy or build new digital television services.

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In addition to a number of customizable Electronic Programming Guides (EPG) solutions OpenTV has an extensive library of applications and games readily available for your IPTV deployment that will enhance a viewers' television experience. OpenTV also partners with industry leading digital TV solutions providers to deliver services like Video on Demand (VOD), Conditional Access (CA) and Personal Video Recording (PVR). OpenTV also boasts an independent developers program with over 1500 developers who provide hundreds of iTV services deployed. Interactivity adds dimension to television, turning viewers into participants - changing passive impressions into active experiences. OpenTV's experience enables operators to easily capitalize on the revenue-generating opportunities that interactive television offers through extended advertising, subscription dollars and merchandise sales.

OpenTV Core 2.0

OpenTV Core 2.0 is the latest release of OpenTV Core middleware based on OpenTV’s Multi-Pipe Mass Storage (MPMS) architecture. Multiple pipelines provide advanced features that will allow routing of streams from multiple sources to different destinations. OpenTV Core 2.0 is also the foundation for the advanced OpenTV PVR Package 2.0 which provides the ability to enable advanced PVR functionality.

OpenTV Core 2.0 features also include multiple stream support, making it possible to access all streams that are broadcasted, including streams of the same type. Concurrent pipeline operations enables recording of a live broadcast program while playing back the same file to multiple displays or playing a live broadcast program and a previously recorded program concurrently. OpenTV Core 2.0 also supports dynamic pipeline definition to support new stream types, new sources and new destinations (e.g. Firewire, DVD and External Hard Disk Drives). An IEEE-1394 interface can be used to connect different types of devices (such as external terrestrial tuner or DVD player). OpenTV Core 2.0 allows dynamic pipeline creation and configuration.

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Advanced PVR Support

OpenTV PVR 2.0 is an additional, optional, solution package built upon OpenTV Core 2.0 which provides the underlying set-top box software required for a network operator or consumer electronics manufacturer to create a complete PVR / DVR solution. OpenTV PVR 2.0 supports a review buffer where viewed video is recorded to disk enabling viewers to pause live TV or to instantly rewind through recently viewed programming. OpenTV PVR 2.0 provides APIs through which a 3rd party Interactive / Electronic Program Guides (EPG) can request and book future events to be recorded. Events to be recorded can be specified using date and time or standard event identifiers. Recorded events can be played back from disk and fast forward and rewind (trick modes) are supported and take advantage of special chip set support for smooth fast forward and rewind at low rates (e.g. x2). With a 2 tuner set-top box OpenTV PVR 2.0 supports recording of one event while another is being viewed with full review buffer capabilities or recording of two events while a previously recorded event is viewed. OpenTV PVR 2.0 can also record multiple audio/video streams within a single service and then allow selection of a particular stream at playback. OpenTV PVR 2.0 can also record and playback non-audio/video streams enabling features such as subtitling / close caption to be preserved within both recorded content and content accessed through the review buffer.

OpenTV Home Networking

The OpenTV Home Networking Extension is a fully integrated component of OpenTV Core 2.0 multi-pipe architecture, providing home networking capabilities with any other functionality of OpenTV Core, including OpenTV PVR (to enable PVR capabilities on any PayTV receiver – with or without local disk - in the home network), OpenTV VOD client (to enable VOD on any PayTV receiver in the home network), or OpenTV IPTV (to provide broadband capabilities to any PayTV receiver in the home network).The extent and limitations of these features will be dependent on the hardware that the OpenTV middleware will be running on.

4.3 OpenTV Core for IPTV OpenTV Core for IPTV is an extension of our flagship OpenTV Core 2.0 middleware product, with all of the advanced features and benefits available for broadcast cable and satellite networks such as PVR, VOD and home networking carried over to IPTV deployments using a common platform. OpenTV Core 2.0 for IPTV provides network operators

• A standards-based, open offering especially designed for IP delivery of TV that takes advantage of existing digital TV technology

• OpenTV’s Proven Stable embedded Core middleware technology to build reliable digital TV services

• Efficient & scalable architecture using standard Internet protocols

• A mixture of multicast and point-to-point communications to access content, applications and services

• A solution that is deployable on today’s set-top boxes and ready for the next generation of set-tops including support for multi-room PVR, home networking and next generation media formats such as AVC and VC1

• The ability to build applications and services that share a common back-end with existing PC services

• EPG, VOD, PVR, iTV Applications, Games and Content solutions available today for additional revenue opportunities

Extending the Broadcast Model to IP Networks

OpenTV’s IPTV solution reuses existing broadcast

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Common Backend Infrastructure and Set-top Platform

For operators who have already deployed Digital TV services on infrastructure other than IPTV, the OpenTV IPTV network design maximizes sharing of infrastructure between the legacy and the IPTV sections of the network. For example, here is a high-level network diagram for a cable network combining a legacy HFC infrastructure with OpenTV next generation IPTV infrastructure.

Because OpenTV IPTV network design uses common similar transport and signaling protocols between legacy and IPTV networks, network operators can build head-ends that support both portions of their networks. MPEG / DVB SI tables (including CA data) can be automatically translated to DVB IPI formats and injected into the IPTV network either through multicast or unicast.

Common Content Models

OpenTV’s IPTV solution is capable of providing operators with TV Portals (driven by one of the most widely deployed, standards based, embedded HTML browsers) that are consistent and share back-ends with currently deployed PC portal. Applications which offer automated provisioning and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) services like Customer Care will reduce the need for costly human intervention and tie into legacy Telco back-office solutions. These applications can also be used to promote cross service promotions like signing up for Broadband or Premium Voice services directly from the TV and provide targeted advertising with built-in measurement and reporting.

4.4 OpenTV Enterprise Products for IPTV

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In addition to set-top middleware, OpenTV Enterprise Server products provide operators the ability to optionally deliver and manage components of today’s advanced digital television deployments, including servers for streaming interactive applications, t-commerce support services (e.g. ewallet), notification services (e.g. caller ID and network operator messages to subscribers), audience measurement and addressable advertising, and EPG guide data delivery in a manner that is bandwidth efficient.

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5. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR CABLE OPERATORS

5.1 Traditional QAM Cable Deployments with OpenTV OpenTV Core 2.0 middleware powers today’s advanced digital cable deployments, delivering advanced services including multiroom and multi-tuner PVR, VOD and NVOD, advanced EPGs, interactive and enhanced television and targeted and addressable advertising.

OpenTV Core provides cable operators a common, managed platform across multiple set-top models enabling operators to deploy new services based on the capabilities of the set-top being deployed.

5.2 OpenTV Hybrid IPTV Solutions for Cable Operators OpenTV Core middleware opens the door for cable operators to take advantage of IPTV delivery of the same content and services available on their existing QAM deployments in regions where leasing DSL lines is more cost effective than extending the HFC network. Leasing DSL lines to offers the operator immediate access to new subscribers and compete territories in order to compete more effectively against satellite and telecommunications operators by delivering the same triple-play services using a common backend infrastructure.

Common Backend for QAM and IPTV delivery

With OpenTV’s IPTV solution cable operators can use the same proven CA vendors, encoders, VOD servers, signaling and encoded media to drive both QAM and IPTV set-top boxes.

CableSTB

IPTVSTBDSLAM

MPEG4Encoders

SIConverter

VODServer

MPEG2Decoders

NetworkAdapter

IPTVController

QAMModulatorRemux

CableController

CMTS

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In addition to xDSL deployments, OpenTV also supports the use of DOCSIS connectivity for IPTV delivery of content and services giving operators the option of converting to IP-based delivery in the future.

5.3 Why Consider IPTV? Why deliver services via IPTV? IPTV deployments can benefit cable operators by not only providing a cost-effective alternative to laying new cable where access to the local loop is possible. Delivering IPTV services helps cable operators compete with telecommunication operators by bundling triple-play services through broadband subscriptions that would otherwise likely be lost to telecom, satellite or a combination of the two.

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6. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR SATELLITE OPERATORS

6.1 Traditional QPSK Satellite Deployments with OpenTV OpenTV Core 2.0 middleware powers today’s advanced digital satellite deployments, delivering advanced services including multiroom and multi-tuner PVR, Push VOD and NVOD, advanced EPGs, interactive and enhanced television and targeted and addressable advertising.

OpenTV Core provides satellite operators a common, managed platform across multiple set-top models enabling operators to deploy new services based on the capabilities of the set-top being deployed.

6.2 OpenTV Hybrid IPTV Solutions for Satellite Operators OpenTV Core middleware opens the door for satellite operators to take advantage of IPTV delivery of the same content and services available on their existing QPSK deployments areas where it is cost effective to do so.

Examples include delivering satellite programming to multiple dwelling units (MDUs) and redistributing them within the MDU via IPTV where agreements with builders have been made in order to cost effectively sign up large numbers of subscribers. The same programming that is delivered to traditional satellite subscribers is delivered unaltered to MDUs and converted with additional encoding and streaming equipment for delivery to IPTV set-tops.

Using OpenTV middleware, satellite operators can also partner with telecom operators to deliver hybrid satellite/telco set-tops, with the satellite signal used for traditional satellite services and the DSL line used for delivering true on-demand programming which would otherwise be impossible to deliver to traditional satellite tv subscribers.

6.3 Why Consider IPTV? Why deliver services via IPTV? IPTV deployments can benefit satellite operators by providing a cost-effective way to enroll large numbers of subscribers in MDUs. Delivering IPTV services on their own helps satellite operators compete with cable operators by easing the installation anxiety some subscribers have when considering satellite services and enabling subscribers who otherwise would not be able to install their own satellite dish to receive satellite services.

Satellite operators can also benefit from OpenTV’s IPTV solution through hybrid satellite/telco solutions for the mutual benefit of delivering a combined triple-play offering competitive with cable or by delivering an entire bouquet of television programming over a Telco’s xDSL network for resale by the telecom operator wishing to enter the digital TV market quickly.

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7. OPENTV IPTV SOLUTIONS FOR TELECOM OPERATORS

7.1 Traditional Telco TV (IPTV) Deployments with OpenTV OpenTV Core 2.0 middleware enables telecom operators to delivery advanced digital TV services including multiroom and multi-tuner PVR, Push VOD and NVOD, advanced EPGs, interactive and enhanced television and targeted and addressable advertising that is competitive with today’s most advanced cable and satellite systems.

OpenTV Core provides telecom operators a common, managed platform across multiple set-top models enabling operators to deploy new services based on the capabilities of the set-top being deployed. OpenTV Core middleware has been integrated with leading digital television CA vendors enabling telcos to benefit from proven digital TV solutions to deliver competitive services.

OpenTV Core for IPTV enables telecom operators to deliver an end-to-end digital TV services via xDSL networks. Content for these networks can be acquired wholesale and from competitive PayTV providers whereby the telco essentially acts as a reseller of satellite programming with the ability to use telco branding. The benefit to telcos is that there is no need to acquiring asset management systems for managing the broadcast programming since it’s all done and decided by the satellite operator. Telcom operators can also choose to have full control over the programming they deliver, in which case additional third-party asset acquisition and asset management systems are needed to manage channel line-up, EPG, etc.

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7.2 OpenTV Hybrid IPTV Solutions for Telecom Operators In addition to stand-alone IPTV solutions, OpenTV Core middleware allows telecom operators deploy hybrid solutions with either digital terrestrial or satellite partners.

With hybrid DTT/telco solutions, telecom operators can take advantage of digital terrestrial (DTT) broadcast programming and augment it with their own on-demand programming where xDSL networks are unable to provide enough reliable bandwidth needed to support multiple televisions. These DTT broadcasts may be free to air or PayTV services.

OpenTV middleware also allows telecom operators to make the same arrangement with, PayTV satellite operators to deliver hybrid satellite/telco set-tops, with the satellite signal used for traditional satellite services and the DSL line used for delivering true on-demand programming.

7.3 Why Consider IPTV? Why deliver services via IPTV? IPTV is crucial for telecom operators to remain competitive with their cable counterparts, who are actively bundling and marketing triple-play services of voice, video and data. With new lower cost xDSL solutions and lower cost set-tops, delivering true IPTV services to consumers is a realty.

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8. SUMMARY Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a fast growing digital TV delivery technology that enables cable, satellite and telecommunication providers to launch PayTV services either on their own or in partnership with other operators to create hybrid IPTV solutions.

OpenTV’s IPTV solution is ideally suited to provide cable operators the flexibility to expand their existing network via IPTV cost-effectively, give satellite operators new options for using IPTV to remain competitive in the triple-play environment, and telecom operators the ability to enter the existing digital TV services market with a competitive end-to-end IPTV solution from a proven leader in digital TV middleware, OpenTV.


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