Entone, Etex and i-Velozity offer turnkey Hybrid CATV solution

Tuesday, October 14th, 2014
Entone logo

Entone Teams with Etex and i-Velozity for Turnkey Hybrid CATV Solution

  • Economical Path for QAM-IP Migration

CUPERTINO, California — Entone, Inc., a global leader of Cloud TV and Connected Home solutions, announced it has partnered with Etex and i-Velozity to offer an affordable, ready-to-deploy Hybrid CATV solution. The partnership provides an integrated solution that includes Entone’s hybrid QAM/IP devices, Etex’s hosted middleware and CAS/DRM service, and an extensive video on demand (VOD) library from i-Velozity.

The joint Hybrid CATV solution leverages existing cable headend systems to enable cable operators to deliver an integrated Hybrid TV service that combines traditional linear TV with advanced features like whole-home digital video recording (WHDVR), multi-screen, and emerging cloud (OTT) applications without upfront infrastructure investment.

“Migrating to an all-IP network provides clear benefits for operator and consumer alike but there are challenges that impede an abrupt move: costs are high, content rights are complex, and legacy platforms must be maintained during the transition,” stated Bill Hughes, Senior Product Manager at Entone. “CATV operators are presented with the unique opportunity to deliver a superior consumer experience while also reducing overall operating costs. Our joint solution with Etex and i-Velozity helps reduce the cost of entry associated with delivering advanced interactive applications over IP.”

Entone’s hybrid CATV solution provides a seamless, whole-home viewing experience across all IP devices and also extends the video service to mobile devices without network-based transcoding equipment. Entone offers a full-range of hybrid devices ranging from low-cost, full-featured hybrid receivers to advanced eight (8) tuner hybrid digital video recorders (DVRs) with integrated H.264 adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoders. Powered by Entone’s EnterLink™ video networking solution, Entone’s hybrid devices offer flexible networking options for delivering high-quality video throughout the home, including an integrated 802.11ac access point for wireless distribution, MoCA for HD video distribution over existing coax cabling, and Boxless™ for supporting multiple TVs from a single set-top box. Entone’s hybrid CATV solution allows cable operators to quickly launch a compelling TV service today and also enables a future-proof connected home foundation for introducing new and emerging IP services

“Etex is excited to partner with Entone and i-Velozity to provide a scalable hosted middleware solution to cable providers nationally,” commented Larry Montgomery, Sales Director. “We understand the challenges in upgrading cable services to compete with major TV providers and we feel our hosted solution makes offering a feature rich service more realistic.”

Etex hosted middleware creates a cost-effective way for cable providers to offer feature rich solutions to their existing customers, with limited capital investment. Etex provides the same service to over 7,500 subscriber in North East Texas and has years of experience in IPTV ecosystems. The goal is to create a scalable middleware solution to companies of all sizes. With options that fit every deployment big or small, low capital investment and limited resources needed, Etex hosted middleware is a great fit.

Jeff Young, Director of Affiliate Sales for i-Velozity stated, “Our fully integrated hybrid on-demand solution allows operators the ability to cost-effectively offer a large library of content and a compelling whole-home experience that includes OTT access and multi-screen capabilities. These are features that are desired by subscribers looking for traditional channel streaming, mobility and on-demand content options.”

Velozity offers a low-cost VOD platform that generates new revenue streams for cable companies and telcos. Transactional, subscription, and third-party linear network licensed on-demand content is made available through i-Velozity’s content rights agreements. i-Velozity also has a master Affiliation Agreement with the NCTC so operators know they are getting the best pricing for a VoD solution. Delivery options include a wide range of IP-based platforms including Entone and Etex. Operators benefit from this partnership via a low-cost of entry and multiple pricing options with subscriber-based tiered discounts for services that aggregate through their partnership with the NCTC. i-Velozity offers an end-to-end managed solution with marketing support included. Now small and mid-sized cable operators are able to offer an affordable, advanced content delivery system that was beyond their financial reach historically.