Interactive TV News Round-Up (III): Hillcrest Labs, httv, SindiTV

Because the [itvt] editorial team has been working on TVOT NYC Intensive 2011, we are covering stories in this issue in round-up/summary format. We anticipate that it will take us several days to catch up with all the recent news: so if your company has sent us a press release or briefed us on an announcement, and you don't yet see your news covered in this issue, please bear with us.

•  Motion-control technology specialist, Hillcrest Labs, has unveiled what it calls its "second-generation family" of user interface solutions, which includes a new version of its Freespace MotionEngine that includes various modules; a new remote control dubbed the Scoop Pointer (which replaces the company's existing Loop device); an updated consumer version of its Kylo Web browser for TV; and a new OEM version of the browser. According to the company, its revamped product portfolio is designed to facilitate the integration of natural UI's into a wide range of markets, including "television and digital media, smart boards [and] virtual reality systems." Hillcrest's press materials describe the components of its new product portfolio as follows: "1) Freespace MotionEngine: Hillcrest's new product, the Freespace MotionEngine, is an embedded software platform that provides an integrated solution to enable MEMS inertial and magnetic sensors to work effectively and consistently in mass production. Hillcrest's patented motion-control software platform provides a sensor-agnostic solution for motion-control devices using accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers (compasses) in a variety of configurations. The MotionEngine software can be licensed for integration into a customer's hardware, or it can be purchased as part of a module or remote control offered by Hillcrest. The key functions of the MotionEngine are sensor fusion, calibration, 3D device motion, gestures, and cursor control, which are implemented with sensors from a variety of the leading MEMS suppliers. This latest release is a modular software solution that can run on an embedded microcontroller or host processor, which provides greater implementation flexibility than its predecessor. For remote controls and game controllers, this enables the MotionEngine to run on the controller, on a USB dongle, or directly on a TV or set-top box system-on-a-chip (SoC). Motion data processed by the MotionEngine is delivered using a standards-based API and is compatible with USB, Bluetooth, RF4CE and other RF protocols. The Freespace MotionEngine is the same software embedded in the new line of Roku 2 streaming media players and LG's Smart TV's. Key applications include: TV remote controls, game controllers, mobile phones, and more. 2) Freespace Sensor Modules: For companies that want to easily integrate motion control into their own products, Hillcrest launched a line of new embeddable modules. Examples include the FSM-SENS-1, a 6-axis sensor-only module that integrates with an external Freespace MotionEngine, and the FSM-SI-2, which combines the Freespace MotionEngine on an embedded microprocessor along with a 3-axis digital gyroscope, 3-axis digital accelerometer and optional 3-axis magnetometer (compass) to provide high-performance, calibrated motion data for a variety of applications. Freespace Sensor Modules are used by engineers to add inertial motion control to a product without having to learn about motion sensing or MEMS. These compact modules, the smallest of which is 9mm x 19mm x 2.5mm, are pre-calibrated for mass production, provide a well-documented API for interpreting motion, and provide data such as cursor position, linear acceleration, angular position, and angular velocity to enable the creation of novel applications. Key applications include: remote controls; virtual/augmented reality headsets; HMD's (head-mounted displays); robotics; industrial automation; and motion analysis for sports, fitness and medical diagnostic products. 3) The Scoop Pointer: The Scoop pointer is a second-generation in-air mouse with 6-axis motion control, which interfaces wirelessly to any PC, Mac, or USB HID compatible device through a USB dongle. This new OEM product is a reference design that will be available early in the fourth quarter to companies that need a complete off-the-shelf device for their consumers. It will replace the Loop pointer and includes numerous enhancements, such as a smaller and lighter form factor, new chipset and firmware for lower costs and better performance, nine programmable buttons and a scroll wheel, and full 6-axis control to enable better gesture or game play. There are two versions of the Scoop pointer, one optimized for TV viewing, and one with a red laser pointer designed as a handheld wireless presenter. Hillcrest has already signed agreements with CE manufacturers that will bring the Scoop pointer to market later this year, under their own brand names. Hillcrest does not intend to sell the Scoop pointer directly to consumers. 4) Kylo Browser for OEM's and Consumers: Hillcrest introduced today a customizable version of Kylo, the Web browser for TV, designed for OEM's that sell Mac- or PC-based hardware platforms or accessories. This new version enables companies to create custom home screens and features. Hillcrest also disclosed today that a number of companies plan to launch their own branded versions of Kylo later this year. The Kylo browser is not meant to replace traditional browsers such as Internet Explorer, Safari or Firefox for use with standard computer display screens, but instead is for use on a TV connected to a computer. Compared to conventional browsers, the Kylo browser provides more on-screen viewing space and less visual clutter, larger fonts and buttons for easy viewing and navigation from across the room, an easy-to-use on-screen keyboard, and zoom-and-pan capability for enhanced viewing. When used on TV, Kylo is best controlled with a Freespace device like the Scoop pointer. For consumers, Hillcrest today released the latest version of Kylo (Kylo 1.0), which is available for free at http://www.kylo.tv. This new version now supports viewing in 1080p and uses a new Mozilla rendering engine that enables faster JavaScript performance, HTML5 support, and CSS3 support. Kylo is best used for consumers who connect PC's and Mac's to TV's, Microsoft Windows-based set-top boxes, interactive classrooms, business presentations, and interactive kiosks that require a Web interface." In addition to its line-up of motion-control technologies, Hillcrest offers application-development services: among other things, the company has developed a connected-TV application, called HomeCast, for LG Electronics, which aggregates video podcasts and allows users to navigate them with a Freespace-based remote.
• French interactive TV technology provider, httv, contacted [itvt] Monday to let us know that it is entering into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based SindiTV, "in order to create synergies between [the companies'] software deployment activities for connected devices and to optimize their international presence. httv has been a French leading international technology and solutions provider for interactive digital TV satellite, cable, DTT and IPTV/hybrid operators for the last 12 years," the company's press materials continue. "At the IBC 2011, in Amsterdam, httv will be launching httvBox [see the article published on itvt.com, August 23rd], its innovative software turnkey solution for STB's available for all TV distribution platforms from pure DVB broadcast, pure IP (IPTV, OTT) to hybrid. httvBox offers a large range of features such as personalized mosaic and UI, push-VOD, catch-up, etc., and is HbbTV-compliant. SindiTV is a company in Singapore which develops high-end software solutions based on both ST and Fujitsu chipset devices. It has long relationships with major Asian devices manufacturers and is highly involved in the German HD+/HbbTV market. With 50% of market share, SindiTV is the largest STB software provider for the new HD+ market in Germany. Beyond the obvious geographical synergies, this strategic partnership will reduce the cost, the complexity and the implementation time of httv and SindiTV software solutions. The joint forces of both companies will also provide them with the critical mass to address larger-scale projects and strengthen their product offering to pay-TV operators, broadcasters and STB/TV manufacturers." Said httv CEO, Bernard Dupin: "With its long experience with chipset vendors, SindiTV will ideally complement our software expertise for our httvBox solution. It will give our solutions a better 'time-to-market' and better abilities to work with STB manufacturers. SindiTV will also be able to efficiently distribute our broadcast headend products (datastreamers) and end-to-end solutions (push-VOD, catch-up TV, video mosaic...) in the fast-growing South East Asian market." Added SindiTV CEO, Michel Guillien: "With httv's experience in the TV services and pay-TV market, SindiTV will be able to enlarge its existing value proposition to its clients. SindiTV will also benefit from httv's strong expertise in HbbTV, the new growing European standard for hybrid CE devices."