Bristol, UK-based digital TV software provider, Ocean Blue, says that it is supporting the MHEG-5 interactive TV system that is employed by Hong Kong's digital terrestrial television system, and that was launched in time to enable interactive TV coverage of the recent Beijing Olympics. The company, which is a member of the UK's Digital Television Group, claims to play an active role in developing and enhancing the MHEG-5 standard (which also powers interactivity for the UK's free-to-air DTT platform, Freeview), and says that it has been working with both TVB and ASTRI to help establish version 1.0 of the Hong Kong MHEG-5 profile and will continue to assist in the development of profile enhancements.
A "TVBar" MHEG application has been on trial in Hong Kong since July 28th on the HD Jade and J2 channels. It allows viewers to access weather info, Hang Seng Index data, news headlines and (during the Olympics) an Olympic medal list. According to Ocean Blue, other services--including enhanced information to support TV programs, an EPG, and shopping information--will follow shortly. The company is part of the ASTRI-led Digital Living Consortium, which is developing extensions for profile 1.1. It says that it has developed support for the Hong Kong profile in its middleware, thus giving consumer electronics manufacturers a quick route to market: according to Ocean Blue, the Hong Kong extension has been developed so as to use its core Voyager MHEG technology, which has already been deployed within the UK (thus allowing for one solution to fit multiple profiles). The Hong Kong interactive TV platform is a joint venture between Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company (ASTRI), Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and TVB.
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