Samsung, Octal Co-Develop TV Box on MS TV Platform
Samsung and Octal have signed an agreement to jointly develop advanced digital set-top boxes based on Microsoft TV middleware. The two sides have also agreed to expand their partnership in related business areas in the future.
The two companies will co-develop necessary hardware and software, and jointly market the products co-developed under this agreement to satellite, terrestrial and cable TV companies around the world.
The STB5005C will become one of the first commercialized digital cable set-top boxes to use the Microsoft TV Advanced Digital Platform. It will be able to receive and record interactive digital video broadcasts (free-to-air, PPV, IPPV), support broadband Internet access, audio/video on demand, email, chatting, home shopping, home banking, networked games, integrated Web DVD/CD player and other digital media services.
Microsoft TV Platform is an enhanced TV software solution that includes client software for set-top boxes as well as server software for a network operator headend. The Microsoft platform delivers broad support for international standards (HTML 4.0, DHTML, XML, ATVEF, NTSC, PAL, HDTV, ATSC, DVB, OpenCable, ARIB).
Samsung and Octal expect to start worldwide commercialization of the digital set-top boxes in March this year and will initially supply them under an initial US$30 million contract via Octal to Portugal's TV Cabo.
(February 2001 Issue, Nikkei Electronics Asia
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