OpenTV

The OpenTV Corporation is a leading global provider of technology and services for the delivery of digital and interactive television. The company is based in San Francisco, USA. On 26 March 2010 OpenTV has been completely taken over by the NAGRA Kudelski Group.

OpenTV is a service provider that provides service and software companies and TV channels available and their different needs and ideas with the large-scale enterprise technology implemented. The technology and software of OpenTV is worldwide in 96 countries and nearly 60 million digital set -top boxes used. The functionalities offered by OpenTV include, among others, the Interactive television with services like interactive shopping, interactive and addressable advertising custom, games and information services. For example, there is the possibility of personalized video recording (PVR) and a number of other applications for broadcasting services, to communicate with users and client care.

OpenTV Core middleware ™

Development of OpenTV

OpenTV has occurred in 1996 in the digital television market. Since then, the OpenTV middleware ™ has established itself as the most common set-top box software (middleware) for digital TV services. It is also the foundation for the delivery of enhanced digital television services of OpenTV. Since entering the market in 1996 the scope of OpenTV continually extended. Latest added Come features are, for example, recent developments such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV ), Personal Video Recorder ( PVR) 2.0 / Digital Video Recorder (DVR ) or High Definition TV ( HDTV).

Support for industry standards

With the development of digital broadcasting to several unrelated technologies and standards have evolved. OpenTV makes it through the special design of the middleware ™ Core to use different technologies and standards for their own services. It supports standards such as DVB, MPEG, ATSC, HTML, JavaScript, Java, MHP, HTTP and SSL. In addition, the digital standards for service and program information MPEG PSI and DVB -SI are supported.

Middleware Architecture ™

The OpenTV Core consists of a compact and modular design. This allows for quick adaptation to the customer and easy use of advanced digital television services. The modular software core can be associated with different extensions. In addition, the OpenTV Core is based on the hardware of different set-top box models and so can be any possible customers. At the core, which communicates downwards with the set- top box hardware, set up, to the different application environments. In order for the digital services can be used independently on different hardware platforms because they directly use the OpenTV Core and not directly on the hardware.

Basic Properties

As already explained in the introduction, the OpenTV Core is modular, expandable and compact. However, these are not all the properties of the core. To achieve persistence and durability to OpenTV will follow international TV industry standards and includes a compilation of various TV libraries, extensions and application environments. The different libraries enable the units basic functionalities for stable digital TV services. The extensions and application environments allow the flexibility, features, and functions as needed to supplement any time.

The option to use the same services and same middleware on various set- top box hardware, saves the programming effort and time. Therefore, no different software versions of the respective applications are also required in mixed set- top box hardware environments. Therefore, in turn scarcely need to be broadcast for each hardware platform, the OpenTV applications, which additionally saves bandwidth.

The backward compatibility with older OpenTV middleware ™ versions allows network operators, applications and services to the latest versions convert step by step. In addition, dynamic download is supported. Libraries, extensions and applications can be dynamically or "on demand" downloaded to modules on network capacity. Therefore, the memory is not overly burdened and the integration of new functionalities, expansion or maintenance can be performed quickly and easily.

Audio and video streaming is also supported. Specific libraries enable the decoding of the received data stream, such as by means of MPEG video decoders. This includes support for scaled or positioned MPEG video display, image planes and other application- based volume control.

In terms of security, there are different mechanisms. Received programs and services can be received only by authorized receivers and hardware. Protected content can not be copied or used without permission. Downloaded modules and updates are performed only after authenticity check. Special Services and Libraries are responsible for digital rights management and encryption and decryption.

Extensions

Besides the described basic properties of the OpenTV middleware ™ with additional tools for OpenTV Core can be added. The extensions are nothing more than optional libraries. Extensions can for example be integrated to meet the target hardware or their scope. To be used efficiently, allowing OpenTV middleware ™ to supplement packets according to the hardware or delete them. Thus, no unnecessary storage capacities are consumed. There are also a number of optional extensions such as OpenTV measure.

Applikations-/Ausführungsumgebungen

OpenTV Virtual Machine ( OVM )

The OpenTV virtual machine is an abstraction layer over the OpenTV operating system and the underlying set- top box hardware. OpenTV applications are written in ANSI C. The compiled source code is called O- code. The O- code applications run then on a general virtual set -top box, which is only implemented in software, and are interpreted by the OpenTV Runtime.

To compile and run, there are two variants:

• A) In the application layer using the OpenTV O- code Virtual Machine ( OVM ) and standards-based optional additional execution environments
• B ) In the hardware layer by abstracting the driver functionalities using the OpenTV libraries.

OpenTV HTML Package

With the help of OpenTV HTML package it is possible to can be interpreted for TV geauthorten HTML and JavaScript code. Thereby allowing web browsing in the context of a browser-component on the set- top box. Service operators to migrate using an authoring environment existing HTML and JavaScript code for the internet on the basis for interactive television. In addition, the operator can customized and provided with trademark user interface for surfing the web deploy (eg with your own logo ). The data is either received as part of the broadcast signal or sent via the return channel. For the visualization of content are 16 bit color (65536 ) are available. Virtual applications can be generated by standard web technologies are used to generate the dynamic content from HTML and JavaScript.

The OpenTV HTML package continues to support a centered TV display, a media stream control, a TV media handler with window positioning (eg video scaling ), support PNG, GIF, JPEG, and XBM images, HTML 4.0, CSS 1.0 ( and absolute positioning of CSS 2.0 ), JavaScript 1.3, DOM Level 1, SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 and ETSI TS 102 330

OpenTV, MHP Package

The OpenTV, MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) package is a fully MHP -compliant extension to the OpenTV middleware ™ Core. This package was developed in collaboration with Alticast. The MHP package provides the operators of the service has the advantage that MHP can be used compatible with OpenTV O- code applications on a set- top box. The MHP component can have different services of the OpenTV middleware ™ use ( for example, audio / video editing, OSD, PVR / DVR, return channel, etc.).

OpenTV BlueTrack Package for Flash

This expansion pack allows operators to deliver Flash content on an execution environment. Thus, complex Flash applications to be offered by the provider. This flash applications are then created and geauthored with Flash Development Tools TV. Possible applications include the improved screen displays, navigation, graphics and animations.

Digital Rights Management and Conditional Access (CA )

Conditional Access (CA ) and Digital Rights Management ( DRM) is realized at OpenTV with the help of partner libraries. There are also optional extensions to provide the transmission of protected content in the network a secure base. OpenTV supports distributors and content providers with solutions to maximize the protection concerning the CA and DRM. Corresponding IP set- top boxes with a special CA / DRM client are already in use ( for example, the Encryptonite System ™ Secure Media in the SV - 500 Set -top box ).

Core 2.0

Basic Properties

The Core 2.0 is the latest version of OpenTV set-top box middleware ™ core and comes standard with a number of new features and an improved memory architecture. Support for the Personal Video Recorder ( PVR) is integrated directly in Core 2.0. Hardware side, new set-top box types that are equipped with multiple tuners and decoders support. The possibility of using a home network, High Definition Television (HDTV ) and connecting external storage media ( eg hard disks ) is also integrated. The Core 2.0 is, like the previous version also fully backwards compatible with all older O- code applications and extensions.

Memory architecture

The new memory architecture is called OpenTV Multi-pipe Mass Storage ( MPMS ) architecture. Each event is enqueued in the appropriate pipeline and processed sequentially. There are several parallel pipelines. Thus, assume the control flow and control of data streams special services. It is now possible to transmit data streams of different sources (Tuner, HDD, etc.) by forwarding to turn different objectives ( eg, hard disk, TV, etc.). By MPMS So, among other simultaneous Zuschauer-/Benutzungsaktivitäten be enabled. It can be recorded and a program to jump back at the same time and viewed the program. Or a record is viewed and parallel to a live broadcast. Thus PVR for example flexible. During the recording of other programs can be viewed easily. The set-top box can in principle generate parallel several programs and On Screen Display (OSD). This is of course also depends on the set- top box used.

With the help of the integrated multi-stream support all types of streams transmitted can be received and used independently. The dynamic pipeline definition, where the supported data stream types and associated sources and destinations are defined, it can always be extended. For example, new stream types, sources or targets will be constantly updated and then used immediately ( such as support for USB 2.0, FireWire, DVD, or external hard drives).

PVR 2.0/DVR

OpenTV PVR 2.0 is an additional package based on OpenTV Core 2.0. The entertainment industry and content providers will be offered the possibility of a comprehensive Personal-Videorecorder-/Digital-Videorecorder-Lösung. With the Core version 2.0 is supported by a number of new features.

• Programming using the Electronic Program Guide ( EPG)
• Pause live broadcasts and then look further
• During playback stutter pros and rewind
• Recording of two programs simultaneously and reputation of other programs
• Create bookmarks in recorded material
• Recording of subtitles and teletext addition to the program
• Metadata input to the recorded programs
• Skipping over commercials
• Recording up to 120 hours
• Rights management
• , and more.

Depending on the provider of the service, certain functions can then be used. When an American provider can for example at an American football game and after recording still watch the game from multiple camera angles. Also targeted Jumping to specific scenes such as " best shot " or " Longest shot " is possible.

IPTV

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV ) is also a transmission technology that is supported since the OpenTV Core 2.0. This IP network operators and operators of cable, satellite, telecommunications and digital radio networks is possible, for example, offer pay- TV services over IP networks. The OpenTV middleware ™ is extended with the features that network operators need to offer IPTV services through conventional or hybrid broadband IP networks.

With an IP - enabled set -top box services can be received via a closed two-way broadband IP network, such as pay -per-view, video on demand, services for personal video recorders and other interactive applications.

According to the data rate of the user's various qualities can be offered (DSL, cable modem, etc.). IPTV supports both standard definition TV ( SDTV ) and High Definition TV ( HDTV). IPTV also is not bound to a particular standard such as MPEG -2 or MPEG-4, as in the conventional transmission via DVB or UMTS.

HDTV

In order to meet the digital standard for high-quality digital TV, OpenTV also supports the latest standards with its Core 2.0. With regard to MPEG-2 Video and MPEG-4 AVC HL are supported. In response to the set- top box hardware can still be divided into two qualities here. First, the high quality of high definition ( HD) and the other the digital standard quality standard definition (SD). In terms of audio is supported with the extension HDTV AC3. Enhanced AC3 and ACC are scheduled for the next release version of OpenTV Core 2.0.

To maintain the quality of data transmission, especially for HDTV, the HDMI interface is supported in Core 2.0. Wherein no loss of quality by digital -to-analog or analog-to- digital conversion is possible. It is also using the HDMI port a higher bandwidth possible than with previous interfaces. For the realization of copy protection for digital data OpenTV Core 2.0 support HDCP. For two-sided implementation ( transmitter and receiver hardware) is not infringing copy of the data from HDMI or DVI interfaces possible.

In connection with HDTV, a new type of modulation will continue (DVB -S2) support for DVB via satellite. With DVB -S2 both High Definition (HD ) and Standard Definition ( SD) can also be transferred. The biggest advantage of DVB -S2 is that compared to DVB -S is around 30 percent more bandwidth available.

A leading European users of OpenTV HDTV solution and a pioneer in the European HDTV market is TPS. The French company has selected OpenTV for the implementation of a new set- top box platform. TPS will make with the help of OpenTV soon its HDTV broadcasting via satellite in France.

OpenTV browser

OpenTV Device Mosaic ™ is a special browsing component with which it enables operators to provide users of digital TV interactive HTML content. The user can use the OpenTV browser, as it is known from PCs or mobile devices such as handhelds and mobile phones with Internet or WAP connection. OpenTV Integrated Browser ™ is optimized for the Japanese market version of Mosaic ™.

The OpenTV browser is already in use in millions of current implementations, including well-known companies like Sony and Motorola. These use Mosaic ™, to offer their services to set-top boxes. A big advantage is that the OpenTV browser is completely customizable to the customer's wishes and common standards for web browsers are supported. The services supported by OpenTV technical standards are HTML 4.0, CSS, ECMAScript, pJava, SSL and ATVEF.

Both OpenTV browser variants are characterized by the explained conformity to existing standards of, speed, Anspassbarkeit customer and service provider requirements and flexibility (for example, support and bridging of different CPU speeds, different transmission rates in the network and various content offer).

OpenTV Participate ™

OpenTV Participate ™ is a product for the interactive involvement of the public and users of digital television services. With this end - to-end solution service providers is the platform-independent integration of viewers and enables real-time management of massive user participation in the context of live or pre-produced broadcast deal. The Maganement of multiple, simultaneous, planned or unplanned, synchronous or asynchronous, or even individual user investments is supported by OpenTV Participate ™.

A big advantage is that the more diverse interactive and direct involvement of the public can help by more attractiveness and participation more to bind the target audience to the provider. This, of course, the financial revenue opportunities of the provider to be expanded. Live contests, puzzles, quizzes, games, auctions, voting, shopping or fundraisers include such interactive services that may be offered by means of OpenTV Participate ™.

Besides the already mentioned interactive services OpenTV Participate ™ provides for the service provider modules for detailed live statistics and control of interactive applications. The participation of a user and his behavior is for the entire time of its use of the system recorded (not only for current use, but for all periods of use ). Thus, the way to be carefully analyzed and evaluated the user behavior of all users. Then, can be quickly and flexibly respond with measures to offer specifically tailored to the user and to make maximum attractive.

OpenTV Enterprise Solutions

The OpenTV Enterprise Solutions offer the service providers useful tools for the operation and management of digital and interactive services. This also includes the ability to secure e- commerce transactions (protection of operators and users ), interactive and user-oriented advertising campaigns right to organize and broadcast, as well as analyzes of user behavior to perform.

Like the other components of OpenTV are also the Enterprise Solutions extensible, modular, usable with Internet technologies and open for use with third-party applications. For operational and operational needs of the service provider, there are, among others, system solutions for the regulation of traffic, databases and communication systems. This gives a service provider, ie an OpenTV customer, a seamless package. The following products are among the " OpenTV Enterprise Solutions":