Thomson Launches Push VoD for Hybrid Networks

Thomson announcee the launch of new modules to its Smartvision video service platform for delivering video on demand over hybrid broadcast networks (Digital Terrestrial Television and IP or Satellite and IP).

Thomson’s SmartVision service platform now comprises a push video mechanism which allows delivery of video on demand applications via DTT or satellite networks to personal video recording (PVR) set-top boxes, without the need for a return request path or IP network and with the same comfort, security and revenue generation opportunities as with standard VOD services.

The SmartVision software platform combines now both push and pull VOD capabilities, offering progressive downloads, file transfer and streaming solutions via the IP connection to set-top boxes. To support access to such services, Thomson’s end-to-end portfolio also offers a range of market-leading hybrid broadband/broadcast set-top boxes with personal video recording.

“As the demand for bandwidth-hungry services such as VoD and HD video grows, many operators are turning to hybrid models as a solution for optimising network resources for video delivery,” said Tiaan Schutte, General Manager of Thomson’s Software Service Platforms, within the Systems division. “As a market leader in end-to-end IPTV solutions and infrastructure equipment to broadcasters, we believe Thomson has the best technologies and market understanding to merge the best of both worlds and take leading positions in the hybrid video market.”

Thomson’s new hybrid video on demand solution opens up new revenue driving applications such as pushing highly requested content such as blockbusters to the set top box whilst enabling broadcasters to make available as a complement to users, a wider video catalogue available over the IP network. If the IP network has a low bandwidth, the video is downloaded to the set top box progressively and if the bandwidth is high enough with a good quality it can be streamed.



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