Espial contributes HLS and DASH software to the RDK

Espial Drives New IP Video Services for Pay TV Operators with RDK Contributions

OTTAWA, Ontario — Transforming the viewing experience worldwide, Espial today announced software contributions to the Reference Design Kit (RDK) code base for adaptive video streaming that will drive new, innovative services for Pay TV operators. The contributions enable HLS (Apple) and DASH (MPEG) streaming in a RDK environment, opening new OTT (over-the-top) services and market approaches to Pay TV operators. As well, it will allow operators to adopt a simplified software approach for set-top boxes, other IPTV platforms or OTT devices.

“We’re pleased to bring support for HLS and DASH streaming to RDK devices – capabilities which are critical for the next generation of Pay TV services” said Kumanan Yogaratnam, CTO, Espial. “As the RDK environment grows, it allows Pay TV operators to quickly intercept new OTT markets with a wide range of platforms and services.”

“The RDK provides a common software foundation for the Pay TV community – including cable, satellite and telco operators – by enabling new services and applications to be developed faster,” said Jason Briggs, Senior Director of Licensing and Strategic Development, RDK Management LLC. ”Espial is a key contributor to the RDK community and, through these contributions, are helping to move the entire RDK community forward.”

Espial has contributed software which enables two adaptive bit-rate (ABR) streaming formats – HLS and DASH – that are now available as open source for use by RDK members. For operators within the Reference Design Kit (RDK) community – including cable, satellite and telco – these contributions allow them to accelerate creation of new IP-based video services, generating new revenue and lowering development costs. Pay TV operators can contain costs and enhance service velocity using RDK ABR streaming for traditional managed TV services, including video-on-demand, time-shift TV, pause live TV, cloud DVR and IP multicast services. In addition, they can also now target new market segments with OTT services, including millennials, cord-cutters and out-of-region subscribers.

The RDK is a standardized software bundle designed to provide a common framework for powering customer-premises equipment (CPE) from TV service providers, including set-top boxes, gateways, and converged devices. The RDK is supported by more than 250 licensees including: CE manufacturers, SoC vendors, software developers, system integrators, and TV service providers.