Strategy & Technology, TechiSat to Demo MHEG Interaction Channel-Powered Interactive TV at IBC

Strategy & Technology--a UK-based company that specializes in solutions for standards-based interactive TV (its products include the TSBroadcaster and TSPlayer systems, which are used for the creation and transmission of MHP, MHEG, tru2way and ETV applications; and the widely licensed RedKey MHEG engines)--said Wednesday that it is teaming with set-top box manufacturer, TechniSat, to demo new MHEG Interaction Channel (MHEG-IC) technology at the IBC show in Amsterdam later this week (note: S&T's booth is 1.A21 and TechniSat's is 1.A44).

TechniSat offers a range of HD set-tops that incorporate network connectivity via built-in Ethernet or an optional USB WiFi adapter, allowing end-users to stream video, music and pictures from a PC on the home network. Combined with S&T's Redkey 2 MHEG-5 middleware engine, this wired or wireless connectivity provides MHEG-Interaction Channel capability. The MHEG-IC--which was defined as a public standard by the D-Book 6.1, published by the Digital Television Group earlier this year--allows users to access additional IP-based content from a broadcast MHEG application, which enables the set-top to operate in hybrid mode to access additional AV content via the Internet. It is billed as providing a much richer viewing experience, that nevertheless retains the convenience and security of broadcaster-controlled delivery. MHEG-IC services are likely to include VOD; broadcaster catch-up services; tcommerce; and real-time interaction with programming, including voting, responding to advertising and following program-related links. Viewers will also have access to a host of interactive applications, S&T says, with rich related data available from the Internet under control of the application, including operator information and account management.