Harmonic Inc. has launched a multichannel digital interactive TV mosaic system, dubbed the ProStream 8000, which it says seamlessly integrates with video headend, transport and customer premises equipment now deployed by cable and satellite TV companies, telcos and other video service providers. According to the company, the IP-based, MPEG-in/MPEG-out software solution cost-effectively tiles several channels within a single, high-quality digital video stream, to enable a multi-program display. The system is also designed to increase revenues from subscription services, VOD and advertising by enabling promotions and previews, regional customizations, additional paid programming formats, and specialty program groupings, the company says. "Television is rapidly evolving toward a model where users can receive a unique 'just for me' experience," Gil Katz, Harmonic's director of digital video solutions, said in a prepared statement. "Harmonic's new ProStream 8000 Digital Mosaic solution represents a significant step toward the realization of that future, generating exceptional value for both the viewer and the video service provider. In addition to offering a more visual way to navigate through a seemingly ever increasing range of programs, the ProStream 8000 affords a compelling and convenient way to cross-promote services, such as VOD within the broadcast environment. And, while it is now possible to predefine the format and content of a mosaic, technology embedded within Harmonic's industry leading digital video solutions will ultimately permit each viewer to create a customized channel mosaic."
Harmonic claims that the ProStream 8000's MPEG-in/MPEG-out operation enables seamless integration with a service provider's existing DTV infrastructure, including middleware, EPG's and compression and multiplexing systems. Each multichannel mosaic is transmitted as just another channel in the line-up--i.e. as a complete MPEG stream with all the associated metadata--in order, the company says, to ensure full compatibility with existing set-tops and televisions. According to Harmonic, the ProStream 8000 allows operators to quickly and easily set up, modify and remove channel mosaics: an operator could, for example, use the system to create a promotional mosaic, consisting of one large-format thumbnail advertising a premium programming package and four smaller thumbnails presenting channels within that package. Because the system is interoperable with third-party EPG's, Harmonic says, it is possible to dynamically include and exclude channels from a mosaic, based on schedule, in order to maintain consistency with the theme or focus of a given mosaic.
The system provides operators with a point-and-click user interface for creating and modifying mosaics, that allows video thumbnails to be added, placed, cropped, resized and removed with a click of a mouse. It also allows customization through the addition of dynamic or static backgrounds to the mosaic. Changes can be made in real time--in which case they are reflected immediately on the viewer's TV--or generated offline for future implementation, Harmonic says. The system also gives operators control over output bit-rates and video quality.
(Note: this article was published in the January 18th issue of the InteractiveTV Today [itvt] email newsletter.)
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