www.tvbeurope.com
April 2015TVBEurope Supplements
In association with
Smart set-top box solutions for IPTV/OTT and Hybrid DVB
It’s true: there is nothing as permanent as
change. And right now nowhere is that more
true than in the field of set-top box (STB)
solutions for IPTV, OTT and hybrid DVB. The brave
new (well, relatively new) world of connecting
television to the internet is presenting a whole
host of new opportunities – and yes, challenges –
to those operating in that environment.
The industry has witnessed transitions from
a purely IP approach to the development of
hybrid smart STBs. These bring together traditional
DVB with IP-based services and apps. And
such developments are essential in today’s
maturing market.
To make their operations successful and cost-
effective, those companies already providing
their customers with hybrid DVB projects must
demand from manufacturers of STBs, and
associated equipment, innovative upgrade
solutions which capture the best of traditional
linear TV and combine it with the exciting – some
might say, thrilling – functionalities of network
PVR, VoD, catch-up TV and third-party services.
And the onus is surely on those equipment
providers, because the emergence and
expansion of OTT services is only set to continue,
and those who fail to meet the challenge –
whether STB makers or service providers – will
surely fall by the
wayside.
Of course, one of
the advantages for
new entrants in the
market is that they
can build on all the
development work
of the last few years
and use OTT to deliver
services without
actually incurring the
expense of owning
or building a network
infrastructure. Such
services can be
deployed globally
on an extremely
cost-effective basis,
enabling a whole host
of local and specialist channels to be accessed by
the worldwide audience.
But whatever the scenario, smart STB platforms
are essential for the advancement of today’s
versatile viewing experience, combining
traditional TV services with all that the internet
can readily provide.
Generation gapSo, what are the demands on STB manufacturers?
To begin with, there is an urgent requirement
for upgrades that incorporate the modern third
generation solutions for those companies already
operating in the IPTV environment. And that
means equipment that supports all the major
standards for both streaming and applications.
The first generation IPTV was mainly used in
DVB STBs with native DVB GUI and certain IPTV
extensions. The second generation offered
embedded middleware solutions with first
interactive functions like network PVR, VoD
and custom implementation of apps. Now, the
third generation solution allows operators and
Supplement30 TVBEurope
Setting the top standard for connected TV
‘There is an urgent requirement for upgrades that incorporate the modern
third generation solutions for those companies already operating in the IPTV environment. And that means equipment that supports all the major standards for
both streaming and applications’
As IPTV moves from purely linear products to a complete TV experience, Oliver Soellner, VP of business development and sales at ABOX 42, outlines what is required from today’s set-top boxes
In association with
systems integrators to quickly build modern and
advanced IPTV solutions. These latest generation
platforms are designed around HTML5 and
open standards, meaning operators are not
restricted to a proprietary STB platform. Utilising an
open approach allows the ready integration of
functionality such as third-party VoD applications
and cloud-based services and provides complete
control over user interface and upgrades.
Next, it has to be recognised that not all
operators have the same requirements in
order to fulfil the service to their customers. So,
manufacturers must provide units that can readily
be customised to meet unique demands. Put
another way, today’s STBs need to offer ‘smart’
solutions. And alongside that, bearing in mind the
amazing speed at which this section of the media
industry is expanding, the ability to produce such
solutions must be just as rapid. So, short production
cycles are essential.
Qs and AsOne of the keys to finding the right provider
of such equipment is to ask some pertinent
questions; and then demand proof that the
responses can be fulfilled.
For instance, it is worth asking for examples of
how economical and short set-up times have
already been achieved right across Europe
utilising that supplier’s kit.
Or how about enquiring about an innovative
IPTV set-top box platform, which is not only offering
the latest technology on the hardware side, but
also provides a complete solution to manage the
STBs in the field? This second point is becoming
increasingly more important for modern operators.
Another question might be: “What is your
experience in adaptive streaming, HbbTV and the
integration of multiple third-party TV apps that will
help in the speedy development of services?”
And, of course, we must never forget ‘the
cloud’. Does your potential supplier offer a
unique collection of software as a service (SaaS)
facilities for the installation, deployment and
operation of the STB deployment in the field and
to upgrade the functionality of those deployed
services over time? Of course, those companies
operating with existing networks do not need to
switch to new technologies overnight. However,
the time will come when changes will prove
necessary in order to provide customers with an
almost limitless choice for special interest ‘niche’
channels. And those extra channels will provide
added income for the operating company.
Single applicationModern hardware platforms are designed
to meet today’s requirements from a single
application project up to complex project
requirements of demanding IPTV, OTT and hybrid
DVB services. A smart STB product line should
offer the best price-performance and latest
technology for even the most challenging IPTV,
OTT, hybrid DVB and cloud TV services.
In fact, the latest solutions in this ever-
expanding – and innovative – field allow
operators, perhaps for the first time, to provide
a full TV experience to television receivers over
unmanaged internet lines.
At the end of the day, the user of IPTV, OTT and
hybrid DVB services must be in a position to
enjoy the same TV experience that is available
with traditional DVB-C or multicast IPTV. In
reality, viewing must be a seamless experience,
whatever the source of the programme.
Whatever solution is employed, the OTT DVB
solution must technically combine features
required for television using OTT protocols and
market-proven standard headend systems over
public internet. Such solutions will allow operators
to build and quickly roll out third generation
HTML-based IPTV services. And that will provide
consumers with what they expect – make that,
demand – from their viewing experience.
TVBEurope 31April 2015 www.tvbeurope.com
Supplement
‘The onus is on equipment providers, because the emergence and expansion of OTT services is only set to continue, and those who fail to meet the challenge – whether STB makers or
service providers – will surely fall by the wayside’
Case Study32 TVBEurope
Telecom Liechtenstein, member of the
Telekom Austria Group, wanted a complete
upgrade of its existing first generation IPTV
system in order to provide a platform for a new,
complete multiscreen experience.
To facilitate this, the first generation IPTV network
had to be seamlessly upgraded to a third generation
IPTV proposition with advanced first screen features
(provided by a modern STB platform) in combination
with a full multiscreen offering for mobile devices.
By choosing ABOX42’s Smart STB platform in
combination with Zattoo’s managed B2B Multiscreen
TV solution, Telecom Liechtenstein could manage a
smooth transition to an advanced TV solution that
allows them to outperform all traditional TV offerings
provided by cable operators or ISPs.
ABOX42 features Latest generation set-top box hardware
(ABOX42 M20-series) for advanced operator
requirements and with advanced performance
Modern HTML5 GUI (supported by the ABOX42
Developer IDE/SDK/Toolkit)
Support of HbTV Applications from German
and Swiss broadcasters
Support of third-party VoD services for SVoD
and TVoD solutions
Support multiple DRM Systems for telco grade
security and Hollywood approved content security
End-to-end lifecycle management and
software as a service of the set-top box for
secure updates and upgrades in the field
The user interface, middleware and headend
are provided by Zattoo as a fully managed service
Zattoo’s key features Rich multimedia EPG
Network PVR
Network time shift/pause TV
Restart TV
Seven-day catch-up TV
Unified UI for first and second screen
Mobile applications including full
PVR management
Branded UI for all screens
Next generation IPTV Telecom Liechtenstein’s IPTV refresh provides a recent case study of the work being done by ABOX42 in upgrading first generation IPTV systems to third generation interactive solutions
Telecom Liechtenstein’s IPTV network upgrade was enhanced to offer a complete multiscreen solution
In association with
ABOX42.com
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OTT, IPTV and Hybrid Smart Set-Top-Box Product LinesABOX42 Smart STB´s are latest technology based, operator proven and offer best in class price-performance
Smart SDK & Developer ProgramAdvanced ABOX42 Smart SDK speeds up customers development of IPTV Apps and IPTV & OTT projects
OPX TV ServicesModern and comprehensive OPX TV client and OPX Cloud TV services for IPTV, OTT and Hybrid operator projects.
OPX SaaS and Cloud TV Services Full Management of the Set-Top-Box deployment in the fi eld including health status information
TV Connect Asia, Singapore12. - 13. May 2015
TV Connect, LondonBooth #78
28. - 30. April 2015
ABOX42´s Industry BreakfastCrowne Plaza Hotel
29. April 2015 8:30 - 10:00
CommunicAsia, Singapore02. - 05. June 2015
ANGACOM, Cologne09. - 11. June 2015
In association with
Supplement34 TVBEurope
What was the catalyst behind the
company’s birth?
We have been providing B2C products in this
industry for many years, during which time many
international operators have approached us
looking for more advanced smart STB platforms,
directly because of our activities in the B2C
segment. More and more of these operators
were demanding modern and consumer
oriented products with more advanced features.
At the same time we recognised initiatives like
HbbTV (bringing new services to TV) gaining
ground in mature markets, so we decided
to form ABOX42 as a manufacturer of latest
generation smart STBs for the global operator
and telco market.
Has the company’s strategy changed since that
initial founding stage?
From a technical perspective our vision is still
unchanged. We wanted to move the project-
driven business of STBs, where every operator
project brings with it specifi c requirements for a new
‘smart platform’ approach, to one where ABOX42
develops a unique hardware platform which can
be shared by many operator projects with minimal
adjustments. You can compare our approach
with the transformation from embedded feature
phones to modern smartphone platforms, where
the software is making the difference, all based on a
powerful, scalable and mature hardware platform.
We started with an IP-only approach, focussing
on IPTV and OTT projects. Lately, we have also
been offering a full range of hybrid smart STBs
that can combine traditional DVB with IP-based
services and apps. On the product side, we started
with an advanced SDK that allows operators and
application developers to create applications and
integrate mature TV applications.
Since the end of last year, we have also been
providing a comprehensive solution with our OPX
TV services, the full TV user interface, and our
OPX middleware and backend services.
Our Smart STB platform can now be used as
a development environment for a modern TV
service or as a total solution to quickly deliver
new TV services with essential TV features.
What are the specifi c and most complex
technical challenges you have faced in
developing next generation IPTV solutions?
When we started ABOX42, we built up the
ecosystem with key stakeholders such as chip
set vendors, middleware providers and factories,
Chiefexecutive perspective
Matthias Greve, CEO and founder of ABOX42, concludes our supplement by refl ecting on the advances made in set-top box (STB) and IPTV solutions, and how his company’s business has adapted to changing market demands
and we are still a high volume, project-driven
business. Over time, we have redesigned the
entire supply chain and manufacturing process
to be able to handle continuous supply requests
and demand from operations in new businesses.
With regard to engineering, we design
hardware as well as the entire software platform
in-house, with the aim of having the most
modular and agile software platform, which can
easily be adapted to operators’ requirements.
What type of advances are we seeing with the
latest generation of IPTV and STB solutions, and
how different and developed are they from their
first generation iterations?
The first generation of IPTV products worked like
a traditional DVB receiver with IP input. The user
interface was ‘hard coded’ and the services very
limited. The second generation of IPTV solutions
brought new features, but were still built as
embedded middleware solutions, meaning that
any changes for operator projects were hard to
do, very costly and time consuming.
Our new third generation platform is completely
built around HTML5 and open standards. Our
customers are not tied into a proprietary STB
platform. With this open approach, our operator
customers can integrate third-party VoD
applications, cloud-based services and other new
functionality into their platform very quickly. The
operator has full control over the user interface and
upgrades of their services.
Where do you think the broadcast market is in its
understanding of the true meaning of IPTV and
OTT solutions?
Many operators and broadcasters have a good
understanding of the advantages of OTT and IPTV.
Nowadays, everything is possible in a technical
sense as the market continues to prove, so the
operator is now more able to concentrate on
shaping its business model around its services.
Do you think that OTT is seen by some to be a
greater advantage to new entrants to market?
Naturally, it offers great opportunities for new
entrants, but equally, it opens up new avenues of
exploration for broadcasters. Where do you see
the true business benefits of OTT and IPTV for both
incumbent operators and new entrants?
For new entrants in the market, the advantage
of OTT is the ability to deliver TV services without
owning or building a network infrastructure and
with very little fixed costs. New services can be
deployed cost-effectively on a global scale – an
example of which is Ethnic TV – where local TV
channels can be broadcast worldwide to people
who want to access domestic content from
wherever they are.
For existing, well-established operators, the
key advantage in using OTT/IPTV technologies
and modern solutions is that they can now react
to market needs and launch new features and
services more quickly over time. Within traditional
DVB networks, the rollout of new services took
years. With OTT/IPTV delivery and a modern smart
STB platform, it is much more cost-effective; since
internet technologies are built for easy and cost-
effective scalability and can be used even in lower
bandwidth networks, thanks to highly efficient
streaming formats (eg HEVC) and adaptive bitrate
technologies (eg HLS or MS Smooth Streaming).
Where do you see the next innovations in the
IPTV/OTT/cloud TV space?
For ABOX42, the next innovation will be integrating
DVB into OTT/IPTV. Operators with existing networks
do not have to switch entirely to new technologies,
but can gradually extend their service offerings.
For example, a cable operator can use the hybrid
DVB platform to offer new services via IP. The linear
television is still distributed via DVB-C. Network
PVR, network time shift, restart TV and catch-up
are provided via the IP connection. Even now it is
possible to freely mix DVB and IP live TV channels
in the same channel list, without any difference
in terms of user experience. Operators can have
an unlimited number of special interest channels,
which do not occupy bandwidth on the DVB-C
network, but only use bandwidth when accessed
by the user. These new services mean new income
streams for operators and a unique service offering
in competitive markets.
Also for DVB-T/T2 markets, hybrid DVB is a great
way to extend services. DVB-T is used for free-to-
air channels and pay-TV can be handled via the
internet. We see more and more projects that
make use of a ‘best of both worlds’ strategy.
How markedly do you think the TV industry as we
know it today will change in the next five to ten years?
Consumers in the future will demand much more
control of where and especially when they watch
their preferred content. So, I believe that time shift,
network PVR and full catch-up TV for all channels will
be mandatory for viewers in a couple of years. What
is also pretty clear is that once TV habits change
and people start to explore new ways of consuming
content, there is no way back. Users come to expect
these new features and the freedom of watching
preferred content at any time.
How fast these new technologies are launched
is a TV rights issue as the technical solutions are
already in place today.
What should media entities be factoring in to their
business models and strategies to ensure they
remain competitive and relevant in a future digital,
mass-IP-enabled marketplace?
Since the user wants to decide when, where and
what they consume, TV operators need to be more
flexible with time shift, network recording and catch-
up TV. When the user gets such a diversity of access
to TV content (e.g. Netflix), the operators have to
deliver a competitive solution, where the user can
decide according to his or her preferences.
Coming back to the company’s progress, and
your role within that, what elements of ABOX42’s
development to date satisfies you the most as
founder and CEO, given the increasing rate of
change in the industry, and the competition
you face?
We are very happy that our decision to build a
flexible software foundation for our Smart STBs
and our modular cloud TV/SaaS platform was
exactly the right decision at the right moment in
time. Our customers need flexible solutions and
a solid hardware platform that can be deployed
quickly. We get more and more enquiries from
operators who consider current suppliers too
inflexible to handle projects in the new fast
moving consumer environment.
Supplement TVBEurope 35April 2015 www.tvbeurope.com
Matthias Greve, CEO and founder, ABOX42
“For existing operators, the key advantage in using OTT/IPTV
technologies is that they can now react to market needs and launch new features
and services more quickly over time”
ABOX42´s
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