|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|||
 |
|||||
 |
     
|
 |
Espial Escapes the Ordinary, Transforms to XletBy Susan Hospod Espial's 100% Java browser, Espial Escape, is now available as a downloadable Xlet that is compatible with the Digital Video Broadcasting-Multimedia Home Platform (DVB-MHP) environment. An industry first, Espial Escape Version 4.8 as an Xlet allows set-top box manufacturers and satellite, cable, and digital TV service providers to offer full Internet access to DVB-MHP 1.01 platforms with minimal integration effort. As a result, set-top box manufacturers and service providers can now instantly offer their customers the most faithful renderings of Web pages while avoiding the need to include a browser as a part of the software stack shipped with the set-top box. In developing the Espial Escape Xlet, Espial worked closely with Philips Research, and is demonstrating Espial Escape as Xlet technology running on Philips' DVB-MHP middleware. DVB-MHP defines a generic interface between interactive digital applications and the terminals on which those applications execute. It enables digital content providers to address all types of terminals ranging from low-end to high-end set top boxes, integrated digital TV sets and multimedia PCs. The MHP extends the existing, successful DVB open standards for broadcast and interactive services in all transmission networks including satellite, cable, terrestrial and microwave systems. Adding Xlet support to Espial Escape means that set-top box manufacturers and digital service providers are able to reduce costs since it enables them to deliver a full-featured browser to customers on a request basis. It also enables the subsequent upgrading of the browser when a new version becomes available. Espial Escape is a stable, reliable, and deployable technology ideally suited to consumer devices. Earlier this year, Espial announced the release of Escape 4.8, offering TV-specific features such as key-based navigation, Web page re-scaling for smaller displays, and content adjustment for displaying on TV devices. Espial Escape has a scalable configuration that allows support for Internet standards to be disabled when used in 'walled-garden' applications commonly used in resource-constrained designs, or for full browser functionality to be enabled for other, more powerful devices. ``Espial understands the importance of designing our products and solutions to comply with the standards set forth by other industry leaders,'' commented Dr Neale Foster, director of marketing, TV at Espial. ``Through the establishment of the Espial validation program and the continuing development of our technology in meeting with industry standards, we are underscoring our commitment to DVB-MHP. We see DVB-MHP as particularly important in accelerating the expansion of the iTV industry in European and Asia-Pacific markets, and we also believe it will be a driving force in North America.'' Designed to foster interoperability among operators and to combat further fragmentation of the digital TV markets in Europe, the DVB-MHP Application programming Interface (API) was developed by the Digital Video Broadcasting Project (www.dvb.org). Based on Java, DVB-MHP 1.0 is platform-independent and offers a solution to the problem of migration from existing APIs. DVB-MHP is recognized as the dominant digital TV standard in Europe and emerging worldwide. Espial Escape 4.8 is available now online. Link: |
 |
|
|||||
Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement |
||||||||||
