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Satellite
& Cable
Microsoft announces digital cable TV
guide
Microsoft Corporation has announced a new, high-performance,
feature-rich and easy-to-use interactive programme guide
solution - the Microsoft TV IPG. Designed for currently
deployed thin-client set-top boxes, the Microsoft TV
IPG enables network operators to offer a better consumer
experience in navigating digital cable channels and
services for both the Motorola DCT1000 and DCT2000 interactive
digital set-top boxes.
Microsoft
also announced the latest upgrade to its advanced client
software, Microsoft TV Advanced 2.0, which now includes
integrated video on demand (VOD) and enhanced digital
video recording (DVR) support, allowing network operators
to roll out advanced services to subscribers more quickly
and cost-effectively.
Built
from the ground up for thin-client set-top boxes, the
Microsoft TV IPG solution features an interactive programme
guide that improves consumers’ digital TV experience
with speedy scrolling and channel tuning, making it
faster and easier for users to find TV shows and to
customise their television viewing. Microsoft TV IPG
leverages the network operators’ existing broadcast
infrastructure through supporting TV listings and interactive
advertising, and was designed to be integrated with
third-party VOD systems.
‘With
the Microsoft TV IPG, we’ve brought renewed energy,
focus and breadth to the Microsoft TV platform,”
said Moshe Lichtman, vice president of the Microsoft
TV Division at Microsoft. “With Microsoft TV Advanced
and now the Microsoft TV IPG, we are providing deployable
solutions that support the range of set-top boxes from
the most basic digital boxes to the most advanced.”
The
Microsoft TV IPG is downloadable to already deployed
set-top boxes and includes a customisable user interface
for branding, graphics and colour schemes. It can be
integrated with any TV listings provider. The Microsoft
TV Server component provides head-end support for the
set-top IPG features and is included in client software
deployment. The Microsoft TV IPG software will be available
later this month to Microsoft TV customers.
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