S&T Launches RedKey 2™ MHEG-5 Receiver Engine at NAB 2008

LAS VEGAS — Booth SU9306 (UK Pavilion), NAB — Strategy & Technology (S&T), a leading specialist in the field of digital interactive TV, is using NAB 2008 to launch the brand new version of its interactive TV receiver engine RedKey™ 2.

RedKey™ 2 is a software receiver engine that adds MHEG-5 capabilities – the globally successful MHEG-5 interactive TV middleware – to set-top boxes and integrated digital television sets (iDTV). It provides significant enhancements over its predecessor and has been designed to address the needs of the many new interactive television markets that are now emerging around the world.

RedKey™ 2 includes functionality that supports an IP-based return channel, a development that is likely to be widely adopted internationally and is currently known as the Interaction Channel. The new engine also provides support for high definition graphics as well as an enhanced font renderer that supports downloadable fonts. It also allows PVR control for PushVOD services.

S&T has taken a modular approach to the design of RedKey™ 2 therefore allowing set-top box and iDTV manufacturers to include only those features necessary for the markets that they want to serve. By choosing RedKey™ 2, customers can re-use large sections of product development to address all MHEG market opportunities worldwide, optimizing the use of product development budgets and resources.

“With RedKey™ 2 we have significantly enhanced the scope of the technology without compromising two of its core assets: it is highly cost-effective and requires a very small memory footprint to operate. RedKey™ 2 is a great achievement and real advance and provides broadcasters with additional routes to success,” says Paul Daly, General Manager, S&T Client Systems.

MHEG-5 is the leading international public standard for interactive TV services. With over 23m receivers sold in the UK for its Freeview service and successful deployment in New Zealand (with operators in Hong Kong and India now rolling out services) it is a rapidly growing technology. It is cost-effective, has a clear technological roadmap and it significantly enhances broadcasters’ services.