Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

ActiveVideo Networks Sets CloudTV Strategy

ActiveVideo Networks is introducing what it calls a “low-cost but highly versatile” system that leverages the power of cloud computing to deliver new content to HDTVs, Blu-ray players, media servers, game consoles, mobile devices, and other CE gear. Already in more than 5-million homes with cable and IPTV providers,

ActiveVideo Networks is introducing what it calls a “low-cost but highly versatile” system that leverages the power of cloud computing to deliver new content to HDTVs, Blu-ray players, media servers, game consoles, mobile devices, and other CE gear.

Already in more than 5-million homes with cable and IPTV providers, ActiveVideo is designed to enable rapid development of new content that can differentiate product and service offerings, without increasing bill of materials (BOM) costs. In conjunction with the unveiling of its CE strategy, the company has hired CE industry veteran Henry Choy as vice president of business development.

“Get ready: The CloudTV revolution is now coming to CE,” said ActiveVideo Networks president and CEO Jeff Miller. “With ActiveVideo, CE manufacturers and retailers can simply and cost-effectively increase the value of their products by enabling differentiated content and interactivity and opening up the possibility of new revenue streams. By making their devices ActiveVideo-ready, CE manufacturers and retailers can leverage our infrastructure, expertise and relationships to become content providers virtually overnight.”

The ActiveVideo CloudTV platform leverages content stored and processed in the network “cloud” to significantly expand the reach and availability of rich, Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0). CCCContent is delivered as a single, adaptable MPEG stream to the CE device, which passes keyclicks from standard remote controls through the CE device to the cloud. ActiveVideo easily integrates with any device, enabling manufacturers to support Web-infused programming, navigation and advertising that is delivered with the quality and immediacy viewers expect from TV.

Because the power of CloudTV is in the network and not in the device itself, the impact of the ActiveVideo client is minimal, according to the company. The thin ActiveVideo client can be downloaded the hard drives of existing network-aware CE devices, or built into the chipsets of new devices. At the Intel Developer Forum in September, ActiveVideo and partner Videon Central Inc. demonstrated the integration of the ActiveVideo client with Videon Central’s Blu-ray Disc middleware.

CloudTV delivers a variety of other benefits for the CE industry, including the ability to:

• Eliminate the need for consumers to buy and integrate proprietary solutions for Web-based and interactive content (no additional hardware is required);

• Leverage ActiveVideo’s strong programming relationships and Web standards-based authoring, tools and technologies to create and distribute exclusive content

• Deliver upgrades and enhancements that increase CE device functionality and extend optimal service life;

• Market and sell new devices or provide manufacturer or retailer customer service directly to customers through the CE device, enhancing brand loyalty

• Replace a single CE sales transaction with recurring content revenue

Close