ACCESS and Cabot Announce Platform-Independent HbbTV Plug-In Package

Package provides OEMs, middleware companies and operators with a robust, upgradable and fast-to-market HbbTV solution

TOKYO, Japan — ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, and CABOT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, a market leader in providing tailored DVB middleware solutions for the digital TV industry, today announced that they have jointly developed an HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) solution that can be plugged into any digital TV or set-top box platform.

The plug-in solution is built on the seamless combination of components provided by both companies. While Cabot Communications brings the HbbTV middleware implementation and DVB components such as a DSM-CC client, ACCESS provides its NetFront™ Browser enhanced to support HbbTV.

The package gives OEMs, middleware companies and operators the ability to enrich their existing devices and solutions easily with a seamless hybrid of broadcast and broadband content. The plug-in approach ensures a smooth HbbTV-compliant upgrade path. Based on existing, proven components from companies with longstanding experience in the digital TV market, the HbbTV plug-in package combines stability and flexibility with optimized development and can work in synergy with other ACCESS solutions for the connected digital TV market, such as ACCESS NetFront™ Living Connect — a DLNA-certified software solution to manage home networks integrating multimedia appliances such as digital TVs, digital cameras, HDD recorders and more.

Designed to be platform-independent, the joint ACCESS-Cabot HbbTV package is already available on a first reference platform, Linux® with Direct FB (Direct Frame Buffer), the architecture of choice for OEMs seeking to shorten their time-to-market.

HbbTV is a major pan-European initiative aimed at harmonizing the broadcast and broadband delivery of news, information and entertainment to consumers through connected TVs and set-top boxes. ACCESS and Cabot both announced earlier this year that they have become full supporters of the HbbTV initiative.

“This joint development with Cabot Communications is another sign of our commitment to advance the connected digital TV market,” said Tomihisa Kamada, president, CEO and co-founder of ACCESS CO., LTD. “With a robust, platform-independent plug-in solution that can evolve with HbbTV future developments, we offer OEMs a way to differentiate their products faster, while protecting their investment.”

Bob Lamb, Managing Director of Cabot Communications commented, “Cabot is delighted to be collaborating with ACCESS and we envisage that this will be the first in a number of exciting joint developments targeted at addressing the connected home market. The combination of our core competencies has enabled Cabot and ACCESS the ability to offer manufacturers a complete HbbTV solution for a wide range of digital TV products.”