Ocean Blue MHEG-5 powers interactivity for Freeview HD

BRISTOL — Digital TV software specialist, Ocean Blue Software, has announced compliance of its mature MHEG-5 engine, Voyager™, with the UK’s specification for DVB-T2 Freeview HD receivers.

The announcement comes in time for the surge in demand for HD services on Freeview in the run up to the World Cup. The development utilises the enhanced graphics capabilities of HD-ready televisions during interactive “red button” sessions, giving consumers an enhanced viewing experience.

Ocean Blue’s MHEG-5 HD engine has been fully compliance tested to the DTG D Book version 6.2, which introduces the use of JPEG bitmaps, AAC audio (streams and clips) and improved resolution and colour depth that will all enhance the audio / visual experience. Additional changes to graphics have been made to ensure that any upscaling of SD MHEG-5 applications to HD generates a high quality image on HD graphics planes.

The new software release also allows for interactive services on Freeview HD. Ocean Blue has implemented the latest ETSI standard ES 202 184, including the interaction channel to provide for example: interactive voting, shopping and video-on-demand. The development will enable many of the “Red Button” interactive features previously unavailable to Freeview customers as their receivers had no connection back to the broadcaster.

As per all Voyager enhancements and evolutions, the new HD development involves adding software interfaces to the existing API. By maintaining the existing API and only adding relevant functionality it ensures that Ocean Blue’s existing customers require minimal effort to update and integrate; whilst new customers benefit from integrating a mature and stable software solution.

Voyager MHEG-5

Voyager is a DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) based MHEG-5 interactive software middleware component which is ready for integration into digital televisions and set top boxes. The MHEG-5 engine allows the receiver to execute interactive digital television applications from DVB-S, T or C broadcasters.

The DSM-CC (data transmission mechanism) client is supplied as part of Voyager MHEG-5. Support for SD/HD platforms with and without MPEG-4 / H.264 capabilities is included in the latest release.

Ocean Blue provides clients with test lab facilities using the latest DTG and DVB test suites, test processes and broadcast streams.

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