Pace demonstrates standards-based whole home digital TV using DLNA

Pace’s server set-top box and Macrovision’s media server software enables viewing of centrally stored digital content from any room in the home

IBC 2007, Amsterdam, Stand 1.221 — Pace Micro Technology plc (LSE:PIC), the leading independent developer of digital TV technologies for the global payTV industry, announced today that it will be joined at IBC by Macrovision, a leading provider of solutions that protect, enhance and distribute digital goods to consumers across multiple channels, to demonstrate how operators can use Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) specifications to enable a whole home multiroom offering for their subscribers.

Pace has added DLNA capabilities to a server set-top box – by integrating Macrovision media server software with existing Pace software – to show operators how they can offer a multiroom solution to their subscribers that distributes content securely to off-the-shelf DLNA-compliant products such as digital media adapters, mobile phones or PCs.

The DLNA-capable Pace server offers high definition and personal video recording capabilities as well as storage for audio and photo files, all of which can then be accessed from any of the connected DLNA-compliant products in the home.

“By incorporating DLNA-based products into a multiroom environment, operators will be able to provide a much more flexible and cost-effective service to customers. The use of off-the-shelf products, such as digital media adapters, combined with the operator’s own equipment in the home presents a very strong offering for consumers,” commented Dr Gary Porter, Technology Programme Manager at Pace Micro Technology.

Jim Ryan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMEA, Macrovision added:
“Individuals now own and regularly use more digital devices than they ever have before and, consequently, demand for these devices to interact with each other is now very high. As an open standard, DLNA can be quickly and easily integrated into an operator’s products, meaning that services for consumers can be activated simply and seamlessly.”

“With a growing trend towards home networking in households,” added Dr Gary Porter, “the ability to connect payTV set-top boxes to multiple devices in the home will become an increasingly important issue for consumers. Set-top boxes supporting DLNA can easily be added to existing networks to communicate with other CE products in the home. DLNA is key to achieving a viable, interoperable and secure home network.”

Links: Pace Micro; Macrovision