NEOTION and FRANSAT launch HbbTV tablet

Hbb Tablet: an innovative solution from NEOTION and FRANSAT to access HbbTV connected services on tablets

PARIS — For the 2013 edition of ANGA COM, Eutelsat’s subsidiary FRANSAT and NEOTION will be presenting Hbb Tablet. The new application dedicated to HbbTV connected services is accessible on tablets, via a CI+ Conditional Access Module for deploying interactive applications integrated into the satellite television. The demonstration carried out during ANGA COM highlights the merits of this innovative access mode to HbbTV services which will be available in the second half of 2013.

Enabling TV viewers to benefit from new applications, access to HbbTV content on a ‘companion screen’ is now possible via a Bluetooth connection between NEOTION’s CI PLUS BlueBridge CAM module and tablets. Integrated into a TV equipped with a satellite tuner, the module communicates with a tablet by transferring the HbbTV data associated with the TV channels broadcasting via the FRANSAT satellite platform.

This innovation provides a solution to the growing number of screens and continues the trend for simultaneous consumption of multimedia content. With Hbb Tablet, TV viewers can receive different content on their TVs and on their tablets: they can use the companion screen to look up interactive services synchronised with a specific TV programme being broadcast, while continuing to watch the programme in full screen mode on their TVs. Hbb Tablet also makes it possible to extend reception of HbbTV interactive services to a large existing population of TV screens, since it also functions on non HbbTV compatible and non-connected TVs.

The NEOTION and FRANSAT innovation is currently being tested on several TV channels offering HbbTV services.

On the NEOTION stand at ANGA COM (Hall 10.2, Stand J36), visitors can see a tablet that enables them to look up ARTE+7 catch-up TV services, the ARTE HD channel programme guide and ARTE Live web content, while watching the ARTE HD channel broadcast via FRANSAT on their TVs.

Trials of the application via FRANSAT have also been carried out by France Télévisions since the end of May.

This innovative mode of access to interactive services underscores FRANSAT’s objective to promote access via satellite to new connected TV services. With this innovation, FRANSAT and NEOTION are therefore assisting TV operators and content publishers in the development of HbbTV and offering consumers an enriched viewing experience.