ADB is first to market with MPEG-DASH implementation

ADB launches first OTT solution incorporating MPEG-DASH for enhanced video delivery

GENEVA, Switzerland — Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) [SIX: ADBN] today announced that it is first to market with a commercial MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) implementation, making standardised video delivery via the internet a reality for the first time. The MPEG-DASH implementation, along with a Common Encryption (CENC) scheme using Marlin DRM, forms part of ADB’s new, ready-to-deploy OTT solution for video service providers looking for a high quality, standards-based OTT solution.

The first OTT service which uses tivùon! technology is Infinity, from Mediaset, which went live in Italy on December 11th. Customers with existing ADB-powered HD set-top boxes (i-CAN 1850S, 2850ST, 3820T) received an automatic over-the-air software update, adding support for MPEG-DASH and allowing them to enjoy the Infinity service from day one. All new Italian i-CAN HD set-top boxes will feature the new software.

The tivùon OTT technology is a new development from tivù, a joint venture formed by RAI, Mediaset and Telecom Italia Media. tivùon! OTT technology for STBs is based on the MHP standard, uses MPEG-DASH for streaming and Marlin DRM for secure catch-up TV and VOD. ADB has been a Tivù partner since the 2009 launch of the tivùsat platform, which offers free-to-air TV for all Italian citizens via satellite.

“ADB’s software and expertise were critical to the delivery of this world-first MPEG-DASH deployment,” said Tivù CEO Alberto Sigismondi. “Our cooperation with ADB has extended over a number of years; this latest collaboration demonstrates how emerging open standards can be used to deploy innovative horizontal solutions for on-demand service delivery. We believe the tivuon! technology, which is based on the proven MHP middleware and Marlin’s open DRM, significantly reduces the pain points faced by broadcasters and device makers working on OTT deployments.”

“The tivùsat platform brings digital TV to many millions of Italians who live in mountainous and remote regions where the terrestrial signal is poor. Service adoption has exceeded expectations and we believe that this new OTT platform will prove equally popular,” said ADB CEO Peter Balchin.