Thomson Video Networks, Netgem Partnership Offers Optimized Platform for IPTV and OTT
RENNES, France(18 Oct 2011)
Thomson Video Networks and Netgem have announced a partnership to offer broadcasters and telcos a best-of-breed platform for IPTV and OTT services. The two companies have completed a test and validation program for the interoperability of the Thomson ViBE VS7000 convergent video system and the Netgem N5000 and N8000 range of IPTV set-top boxes.
"The Netgem and Thomson Video Networks infrastructure allows operators to launch IPTV and OTT services efficiently and rapidly, and deliver a state-of-the-art viewing experience to subscribers," said Yann Courqueux, CMO of Netgem. "We strongly believe that IPTV and OTT allow affordable solutions for service providers looking to offer a seamless blend of broadcast, broadband, and optimized Web content within a unified TV experience."
The Thomson ViBE VS7000 convergent video system offers outstanding video quality at a range of bit rates using adaptive bit rate encoding technology to stream to all viewing devices, smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Netgem's OTT set-top boxes complement the range of devices by offering an uncompromised quality of experience on large TV displays.
Streaming high-quality OTT content to large displays is becoming more important for operators as OTT technology matures. While part of the market demand will always be for viewing anywhere on smartphones and tablets, it is important for service operators to offer the complementary experience of large-screen viewing for premium long-form content.
"Netgem's technology provides a quality of experience for OTT services on TV that matches what viewers expect from satellite, cable, or terrestrial TV networks," said Eric Gallier, vice president of marketing at Thomson Video Networks. "The industry-leading capabilities and compression quality of Thomson's VS7000, together with Netgem's technology and innovation in the field of user experience, add up to a powerful package for content owners who want to give their subscribers the best."
The ViBE VS7000 video system encompasses Thomson's renowned next-generation compression platform for outstanding picture quality in an all-IP environment, with live, broadcast-quality encoding and faster-than-real-time file transcoding. Optimized for versatility and easy operation, the ViBE VS7000 provides a flexible way to customize workflow to meet the needs of every application. A simple but powerful Workflow Builder enables the creation of live, file-based, and mixed workflows for any kind of network through a clear graphical interface.
Supporting all major formats and codecs, including MPEG transport streams, Adobe Flash, Apple HTTP live streaming, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming, and with video resolution up to 1920x1080 in progressive and interlaced modes, the ViBE VS7000 is a fully featured solution for convergent applications.
The N5000 Netbox is an Internet/TV adapter designed to offer service operators the best value for their money. As a basic or hybrid IPTV client, it is cost-effective and easy to integrate. As an OTT set-top box, it enables operators to reach outside their traditional footprint using progressive download and adaptive streaming technologies. As a secondary box, it opens access to remote PVR content. Building on the NetgemTV open software platform, it is preloaded with a range of popular Web applications beyond the standard set of services. These include versions of YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr, all of which have been redesigned to best suit the TV experience.
The N8000 Netbox is a hybrid set-top box and media center. It is delivered with Netgem award-winning IPTV middleware NetgemTV. It comprises a double tuner, hard disk drive, UPnP media center HD, and home network connectivity such as Wi-Fi 802.11n. The N8000 series enriches the broadcast TV experience with the power of the Internet, seamlessly blending content and services from broadcast channels, IPTV platforms, websites, and home network devices in a fast and fluid interface.
About Netgem
Leader in digital convergence technologies, Netgem provides its solutions to telecom operators enabling them to add value and services to their broadband offerings in a challenging multimedia and multiscreen environment. Based upon Netgem's hardware and software technologies, operators are able to develop innovative convergent services and a unique broadcast TV experience, enriched by the power of the Internet. Netgem is present in more than 10 countries around the world with an install base of more than three million. Netgem is listed on Compartment C of Euronext Paris Eurolist. For more information visit www.netgem.com or Twitter: netgem.
About Thomson Video Networks
From the very onset of digital TV broadcasting, the Thomson name has been synonymous with supplying expertise, quality, and reliability to the world's leading broadcasters. Since delivering the world's first large-scale direct-to-home satellite system, Thomson Video Networks has been a global leader in compression systems for satellite, terrestrial, cable, IPTV, mobile TV, and Web streaming. The company helps its customers deliver superior quality video to anything from small handheld devices to large 3D HD screens, with the lowest bandwidth to ensure a profitable business model. A trusted supplier to more than 20 percent of the active channels deployed worldwide, with a global support presence and a reputation for delivering quality at every stage, Thomson Video Networks offers the experience and range of products to meet every need, from hybrid multiformat compression systems to contribution links for content exchange networks.
For information about products from Thomson Video Networks, please visit www.thomson-networks.com.