Syabas Taps RealD to Bring 3D Functionality to its PopBox OTT Set-Top Box

Syabas, a Fremont, Calif.-based company that specializes in over-the-top set-top hardware and software, said last week that it is partnering with 3D technology provider, RealD, to equip its new PopBox OTT set-top box with the ability to display high-definition 3D content (note: for more on the device, which features a user interface design from Moxi UI designer, Dewey Reid, see the article published on itvt.com, January 5th). According to the company, the partnership means that PopBox--which it bills as "mak[ing] it simple and affordable to play all the movies, music, home videos and photos from your home PC and network-connected devices, and content streamed from the Internet, on your HDTV--is the first OTT set-top to support the stereoscopic RealD Format for the delivery and display of 3D. It promises that PopBox will ship 3D-ready at launch (note: the company says that the new box, which was originally expected to ship in March and which is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com, will be "available soon"). Syabas also says that its existing Popcorn Hour A- and C-series devices will be field-upgradeable with the RealD Format to enable 3D viewing.

According to RealD, the patented RealD Format combines left-eye and right-eye 3D image streams into a single channel for delivery of HD progressive or interlaced 3D video using today's Internet or broadcast infrastructure (including PC's, HD set-top boxes and DVR's) to any 3D-enabled display. "This is an excellent opportunity for PopBox and Popcorn Hour to bring our community an amazing experience, and spectacular 3D content in the home," Syabas COO, Alex Limberis, said in a prepared statement. "Content created in 3D should be enjoyed in 3D. Leveraging the RealD Format gives our community a new dimension of HDTV entertainment right out of the gate."

In other OTT news:

• In a post on its corporate blog last week by its VP of marketing, Andrew Kippen, OTT specialist Boxee announced that users of its platform can now share recommendations via Google Buzz. "Today at Google's I/O Conference, Google introduced a brand new Google Buzz API," Kippen wrote. "Boxee has been working with Google to help test the API and today we're ready to introduce an exciting new application. Boxee users will be able to share what they're watching with friends on Google Buzz and to import their Buzz feed into Boxee to watch video from their friends. Now you can see video recommendations from friends on Google Buzz, Twitter, Facebook, and Boxee itself...it's like being able to channel surf through water-cooler conversation from your couch." In order to activate Google Buzz functionality on Boxee, Boxee users link their Google Buzz account to their Boxee account via Boxee's services page.
• MediaMall Technologies, which offers a service called PlayOn that allows users to watch content from broadband video services such as Hulu, YouTube and Netflix on their Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and other supported devices, is switching to a subscription-based model that will see it charging $39.99 for the first year and $19.99 for each year thereafter.
• Australian pay-TV provider, Foxtel, is partnering with Microsoft to bring its service to the Xbox 360's Xbox LIVE content service. Microsoft has formed similar partnerships with BSkyB in the UK and with Canal+ in France. "Foxtel by Xbox LIVE will allow Xbox 360 owners in Australia to access Foxtel channels including Fox Sports, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV, and other leading channels via their Xbox 360 entertainment console," Foxtel explains in its press materials (note: according to the companies, the service will offer "at least" 30 live channels). "Foxtel by Xbox LIVE will also provide a wide range of video-on-demand (VOD) services, including television series and movies. When the groundbreaking service launches later this year it will enable Australians, for the first time, to access Foxtel without the need for a Foxtel set-top-box. Foxtel by Xbox LIVE will be accessible in Foxtel areas across Australia to all homes with a broadband Internet connection. All you need is an Xbox 360, an Xbox Gold subscription and a Foxtel by Xbox LIVE subscription." According to Foxtel CEO, Kim Williams, Foxtel by Xbox LIVE, which is slated to launch towards the end of the year, will be offered "with various packages and prices and under flexible agreements."
• IP Vision--a company which is backed by French set-top box vendor, Netgem, and which offers a hybrid service, called FetchTV, that combines reception of linear channels from the UK's free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, Freeview, with OTT access to pay-per-view and subscription-based online VOD services, as well as to free, online programming catch-up services such as the BBC iPlayer--has launched BSkyB's broadband TV service, Sky Player, on its flagship FetchTV SmartBox Internet-connected Freeview+ DVR. A deal to bring Sky Player to FetchTV was first announced last October. According to IP Vision, the £219 FetchTV SmartBox is the first Freeview set-top to provide access to Sky Player. "Sky Player currently allows viewers to watch a number of live channels, as well as access to a comprehensive range of on-demand shows spanning movies, arts, sports, documentaries and entertainment, via their computer or XBox 360," IP Vision explains in its press materials. "From today, Sky Player will also be accessible to FetchTV's registered users through the FetchTV SmartBox, offering programs from over 20 leading channels including Sky Sports, Sky1, Sky Arts, G.O.L.D., History, National Geographic, MTV and Disney. Live and on-demand content from Sky Movies will be added to the service shortly, offering access to up to 500 titles at any one time. As with access to Sky Player via PC, Mac and Xbox, existing Sky TV customers will be able to access a range of content for no extra cost, depending on their core Sky subscriptions, whilst non-Sky customers will be able to sign up to a choice of TV packages via a monthly subscription."