Osmosys Launches New Multi-Platform Open Standard Interactive TV Solution

MHP 1.2 software incorporates new advanced functionality for digital television operators including IPTV extensions and features from the US cable standard

GENEVA, Switzerland — Osmosys S.A., a leader and innovator in the development of open standards interactive TV solutions, today announced the launch of its MHP 1.2 software, providing enhanced TV functionality and help bridge the worlds of broadcast and IP video. The solution enables operators to provide next generation TV services and supports advanced features on networks with always-on Ethernet connections, as well as being compatible with terrestrial, satellite, cable and IPTV services.

“This is the first version of MHP that has been developed to specifically enable network operators to deploy sophisticated applications and services across any network,” said Paul Bristow, CTO, Osmosys. “We have responded to operators’ needs and have developed our implementation of the MHP 1.2 standard to provide advanced broadband capabilities that are totally under the control of the network operator.”

The Osmosys MHP 1.2 middleware, which is available now and ready to be deployed, takes Osmosys’ award-winning MHP middleware to the next level to provide a complete, advanced broadband and broadcast software solution for digital receivers. MHP 1.2 provides a host of new features including IPTV support, a provision for unbound applications such as caller ID and targeted messaging, Switched Digital Video and other Tru2way / OCAP (the US Cable standard) features to enable a better, faster interactive TV experience for today’s demanding television audience.

All Osmosys products have been upgraded to support MHP1.2, including the new Osmosys Software Development Kit version 2.3 (SDK) and the new Quick Porting Kit (QPK), that facilitate the easy and rapid deployment of Osmosys’ interactive TV middleware and applications on industry supported set-top box platforms.

Osmosys now offers three main versions of MHP, with different target markets:

• MHP 1.0 is aimed primarily at standard definition terrestrial markets
• MHP 1.1 is excellent for satellite, advanced terrestrial and cable markets, whether Free-To-Air, Free-To-View, or Pay-TV. This product supports high definition video and graphics, on-demand services, broadband connectivity, a web browser, DVR and home networking
• MHP 1.2 adds two operator-requested feature sets to MHP; IPTV support and some of the core functions of OCAP / Tru2way, such as the monitor application, support for unbound applications, the services layer concept and support for Switched Digital Video.

MHP versions are also forward compatible, so applications written for MHP 1.0 will run on MHP 1.1 and MHP 1.2.

“Our MHP 1.2 software supports operators in achieving two crucial aims; reduce churn and enhance revenue-generating opportunities,” said David McElhatten, CEO, Osmosys. “We are proud to provide a more comprehensive IPTV roadmap coupled with existing cable and satellite services, as we have already established ourselves as the leader of hybrid (DVB and IP) system deployment in Europe. With MHP 1.2 we progress to the next logical step and provide meaningful solutions to any kind of operator, in any kind of network configuration.”