Osmosys Inspires 3D Graphics Revolution at IBC

Geneva, Switzerland — Osmosys S.A., a leader and innovator in the development of open standards Java based interactive TV solutions, today launched its patent pending Enhanced Graphics enGine (EGG™) at IBC2007 (stand IP233). EGG, is a revolutionary graphics engine and library that allows video content creators and designers alike the freedom to provide interactive TV graphics, with fluid motion, 3D effects, and full animation on platforms that were previously limited to a 2D world.

With the emergence of sophisticated devices that can access television and video services, mainstream digital TV interfaces used today are starting to appear dated. Osmosys has developed a new graphics technology that delivers a more visually inspiring look and feel than currently available through today’s STBs, drastically improving the service that network operators can provide.

“Digital TV displays in the 21st century should be far more dynamic and visually enticing to the consumer. The appearance of television display graphics have not moved pace with the industry and are now looking very dated indeed,” said David McElhatten, Managing Director, Osmosys. “Up until now, no one has invested the know-how, time and effort to create a solution that delivers the kind of graphical and visual experience for todays set top boxes and other digital devices. EGG truly provides phenomenal increases in performance, new special effects, and levels of animation never before seen in the world of interactive TV.”

EGG can be used in many markets which are seeking high quality 3D graphics applications. System vendors can use EGG to create truly differentiated embedded applications offering a completely revolutionary user experience. Application developers can use EGG to create compelling content as never before, taking EPGs and VOD systems to new levels. Additionally, game developers can now seriously consider digital television as a target platform, whilst advertising agencies can grab the attention of the viewer with spectacular on-screen effects.

Osmosys has carefully designed EGG to ensure that it not only improves the look and feel of on-screen applications, but it is also easily deployed in the increasingly complex software environments of set-top boxes. Memory resource such as RAM is a valuable commodity, and EGG is very lightweight in memory requirements, leaving it free for other applications. Furthermore, EGG is designed to ensure that it will port to future APIs such as OpenGL (standard or embedded subset), OpenVG and DirectX. Thus, moving applications written using EGG to future hardware and software environments will be straightforward. Additionally, EGG is middleware independent – it is portable across all of today’s HDTV set-top boxes. It works in both Java and C centric environments and presents APIs in both languages. It also operates in a multi-threaded or multi-application environment, meaning more than one application can exploit the power of EGG simultaneously.

“EGG is a revolution – until today it simply wasn’t possible to achieve this level of graphical sophistication on currently deployed digital television hardware,” said Paul Bristow, CTO, Osmosys. “Our innovative technology pushes the capabilities of the graphics hardware in STBs to bring them to a level that will rival any of the more expensive entertainment devices, out there. Since the dawn of digital TV, we have been operating in a severely constrained graphics environment, EGG changes the game.”

Visitors to Osmosys’ stand at IBC (IP233) will also be able to view further middleware, applications, systems and services that facilitate the management of interactive services over all broadcast platforms.

For more information, to arrange a meeting at Osmosys’ stand at IBC, please contact: Ian Westover, Platform PR +44 (0)7725 006894

Link: Osmosys