Philips Launches MHP Interactive TV Initiative

By
iApplianceWeb
(09/19/01, 09:35:56 AM EDT)

Philips launches initiative to drive the introduction and adoption of interactive digital television services based on the Multimedia Home Platform (MHP). By incorporating the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) standard for interactive TV, Philips' MHP Software Development Kit (SDK) enables a set-top box development environment for companies creating new applications for MHP-based interactive TV services.

The DVB-MHP-enabled set-top box SDK will allow developers to create, test, and validate MHP applications, providing an opportunity to run those applications within the physical constraints of a real-world MHP receiver.

In addition to the SDK, Philips is also introducing its Companion TV partnership program to provide both technological and commercial application assistance to broadcasters, service providers, and network operators to deploy MHP-based services. Companion TV will allow Philips and its partners to jointly develop full interoperability between interactive TV applications and Philips' MHP middleware implementation. Philips will also support its partners by ensuring continuous compliance of the applications with the latest execution of the MHP standard.

MHP will give television viewers a richness of content never before experienced via television services by making the television set a platform for a wide range of digital TV and radio stations, enhanced interactive television programs, and services such as home shopping, home banking, Internet browsing, and email. MHP is being developed for application by the technology, telecom, and broadcasting industries to provide seamless convergence between TV, multimedia, and interactive services.

Philips is working with a number of partners in developing and supporting the MHP platform, including Sun, PlanetWeb, and Lineo. Each of the partners announced its support and contribution to the MHP platform solution.

Link:
Philips