CloudTV

CloudTV

CloudTV is a open applications platform developed by ActiveVideo Networks that enables the authoring, deployment and distribution of television apps from the network cloud to video products such as televisions, set-top boxes and portable devices[1]. The CE device or set-top box, in turn, passes keyclicks from standard remote controls to the cloud.

The CloudTV platform is meant to enable consumer electronics manufacturers and cable operators to deliver Web-based programming, navigation and advertising to television screens in a way that "looks and feels like television."[2] CloudTV claims to enable "rich user interfaces to any digital set-top box or broadband connected CE device."[3]

Contents

History and overview

The CloudTV™ applications platform enables content developers to store and process video content in the network “cloud” [4]. CloudTV delivers both traditional television and Web-based content to cable digital set-top boxes, Web-connected consumer electronics devices and CI Plus-enabled televisions as a single MPEG stream [5][6]. CloudTV combines the personalized, social Web experience with the immediacy and remote-control navigation of television, and requires a small-footprint software client on the end user device [7].

At the end of 2009, CloudTV was in approximately five million homes through cable and IPTV providers such as Cablevision Systems Corporation, Oceanic Time Warner Cable and PCCW [8]; ActiveVideo expects CloudTV to be in 10 million homes by the end of 2010 [9].

Technical background and stated vision for CloudTV apps platform

BigPictureBigSound.com describes the CloudTV apps platform as a "low-impact model for bringing internet content to displays and other devices... As its name implies, ActiveVideo's CloudTV platform uses an internet-based 'cloud' as the delivery system for dynamic web content, keeping the in-device hardware/software to an absolute minimum." ActiveVideo Senior Vice President of Marketing Edgar Villalpando told the site that CloudTV enables "the creation and delivery of interactive content to virtually any TV screen or box: Cable, IPTV, Satellite, CE, Mobile. You name it... We make TVs smarter by removing the brain." [10]

In March 2011, Jeremy Edmonds, ActiveVideo's business development technology director, told consumer electronics trade publication TWICE that CloudTV runs DCML-based applications, which he described as "pretty much like web applications, and are executed on servers up in the Cloud. The user interface then streams video down to the TV or Blu-ray player, where there is a very small client that plays the video and sends the remote-control keystrokes back to the server. The requirements are very lightweight on the device itself — it has very low requirements for CPU or memory or any other expensive components that the manufacturers have to stick in there. But it is very powerful. We can run Flash-based applications, web-centric applications that are able to play multiple video streams or interact with other servers out there for content or various results, such as information pulled from social networks or other databases, all combined into a coherent, interesting experience for the consumer." Edmonds added that ActiveVideo is "not in the long-term a consumer-facing brand, as far as content aggregators or service providers," but is instead "signing up partners that are interested in running on this platform and being able to deploy their applications to these devices. We expect there will be a consumer-facing brand that will be interested in managing this in partnership with us moving forward." [11]

Enhanced user navigation for connected TV: Olympics, Cablevision mosaics

In February 2010, CloudTV was used to power a Cablevision digital cable interactive channel dedicated to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. The channel provided a mosaic of small video images that offered one-click, instant access to coverage on NBCU's various networks, along with supplemental Olympics content [12]. The channel was available to all Cablevision customers with a digital set-top box [13]. ActiveVideo powered a similar interactive mosaic channel for Time Warner Cable’s Oceanic system in Hawaii [14]. ActiveVideo revealed that the mosaic application and the platform through which all of the content was made available was the same ActiveVideo technology employed by Time Warner Cable's Oceanic system during the 2008 Summer Olympics, and that several other unidentified cable operators were using the ActiveVideo platform to provide similar 2010 Vancouver Olympics coverage [15].

Two published cable trade magazine reports in February 2010 speculated, but did not confirm, that CloudTV was being used to power a new Cablevision service to be tested in June 2010 called PC to TV Media Relay, which the cable operator said will deliver media sourced from a cable subscriber's PC (such as iTunes content, digital photos, and Web video) to digital set-top boxes, and from there onto the subscriber's TV screen [16][17]. Cablevision confirmed in May 2010 that it has used the CloudTV apps platform to launch over two dozen new interactive channel experiences for its digital cable subscribers, including hyper-local sports, news and children’s channels, advertising showcases and mosaic programming, and that additional channels including more personalized content and hyper-targeted advertising are in development. Examples include MSG Varsity Interactive, News12 Interactive, and several navigational mosaic channels called iO Quick Views [18].

In March 2011, Cablevision announced that its new personalized iO TV Quick Views app, which allows its digital cable customers to create up to 20 personalized mosaics, each displaying up to nine of an individual subscriber's favorite TV channels at once, "leverages the unique capabilities of ActiveVideo Networks’ CloudTV platform to combine personalization and live video." Cablevision also stated that it has deployed more than 25 applications via the CloudTV platform since 2009. [19] Tarun Kripalani, platform product manager for ActiveVideo, told Communications Technology that the iO TV Quick Views app involves "a very thin client on viewers' set-tops [that] catches keystrokes and sends those keystrokes back up to the cloud, where applications run outside the cable network. The requested content is then delivered in an MPEG stream" to the Cablevision set-top box. The article revealed that ActiveVideo uses its own mark-up language (similar to HTML) or, in Kripalani's words, "a Web browser running in the cloud." Kripalani added that CloudTV apps like iO TV Quick Views can be "built once" and then "the same personalized mosaic [can be delivered] to a tablet or smartphone." [20] Multichannel News reported on March 22, 2011, that the only offering similar to io TV Quick Views is AT&T U-verse TV's My Multiview, which lets subscribers watch four channels at once, as opposed to nine. [21]

Consumer electronics strategy

In December 2009, ActiveVideo announced that it was extending availability of the CloudTV platform to consumer electronics devices such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, media servers, game consoles and mobile devices[22]. The company announced the signing of its first consumer electronics partner, Funai Electric, during the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. As a result of this agreement, CloudTV will be available on a wide range of Funai's Philips-brand connected TVs and Blu-ray players in North America in 2011[23].

Demonstration of iPhone Remote Control Application

At the ANGA Cable Show in May 2010, ActiveVideo demonstrated its iPhone Remote Control App, which enables gesture-based interactivity; improved keyboarding, navigation, and search and discovery; and the ability to upload photos on a cable subscriber's TV. The company claimed this “touch-navigated” app can be used in combination with any smartphone or web device, and can bring two-way functionality to existing one-way cable operator networks [24]. ActiveVideo also announced at ANGA an integraton partnership with SMiT, a provider of conditional access modules to European cable operators like Kabel Deutschland and Ziggo, in which ActiveVideo’s CloudTV platform works with SMiT’s CI Plus modules. ActiveVideo demonstrated how Cloud TV can enable operator-branded menus on CI Plus-enabled TVs, including TVs without set-top boxes when combined with the Ethernet or WiFi connectivity of the host TV as a return channel. The integration also supported ActiveVideo’s iPhone Remote Control App [25].

Acquisition of TAG Networks

ActiveVideo expanded its relationship with games-on-demand provider TAG Networks in January 2010, with the goal of bringing TAG content to broadband-connected consumer electronics devices via CloudTV [26]. In May 2010, ActiveVideo formalized the relationship by acquiring TAG Networks [27]. With this transaction, ActiveVideo expressed its intention to expand the availability of on-demand games through cable set-top boxes by adding TAG’s casual gaming capabilities to its CloudTV platform, and enabling developers to create games that can be accessed directly through set-top boxes, Internet-connected TVs and other IP-capable consumer electronics devices. Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, it was announced that the TAG Networks management team and staff would join ActiveVideo, and that the TAG offices would move from Mountain View, Calif., to ActiveVideo's headquarters in San Jose [28].

NCTA Cable Show 2010: iVOD

At the NCTA Cable Show in May 2010, ActiveVideo demonstrated how its CloudTV platform can enable iVOD applications that would allow cable operators to enhance their video-on-demand (VOD) services. Such proposed services would provide subscribers with unified content across multiple platforms, a higher degree of personalization, improved recommendations to other content, and social networking functions. ActiveVideo’s demonstration proposes to bring linear television, VOD, interactive TV, Web video, casual games, advertising and user-generated content into one interface [29].

ActiveVideo also announced a joint initiative with advanced advertising technology provider This Technology at The Cable Show that the companies said would enable cable operators and programmers to derive increased monetization and control over iVOD advertising. Under the initiative, ActiveVideo's CloudTV platform and This Technology's Metamore and Spotbuilder software will be paired to create an SCTE-130-compliant ad serving and delivery solution for operators and programmers that dynamically targets traditional, Web-based and interactive advertising in conjunction with viewers' VOD activity [30].

Partnership with Blockbuster

In January 2010, Blockbuster announced that it will use CloudTV to provide a Web-based interface for its Blockbuster On Demand movie service across multiple connected platforms [31].

Partnership with Trailer Park

In January 2010, ActiveVideo signed a deal with entertainment marketing agency Trailer Park, under which Trailer Park's Advanced Content group became the first major content developer to officially embrace CloudTV [32].

References

  1. ^ ActiveVideo Networks homepage
  2. ^ "Coming soon to a mobile device near you: CloudTV". Broadcast Engineering. January 5, 2010. http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/coming-soon-mobile-device-0105/. 
  3. ^ "ActiveVideo, Blockbuster in navigation deal". San Jose Business Journal. January 6, 2010. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/01/04/daily64.html. 
  4. ^ "CES: Hook Up Internet TV Without Getting a New Box". Los Angeles Times. January 8, 2010. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/01/ces-hook-up-internet-tv-without-getting-a-new-box.html. 
  5. ^ "CES 2010: Hands on with ActiveVideo’s CloudTV". High-Def Digest. January 8, 2010. http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/ActiveVideo/CES_2010/CloudTV/Streaming_Content/CES_2010:_Hands_on_with_ActiveVideo%E2%80%99s_CloudTV/4037. 
  6. ^ "Radio: ActiveVideo’s Jeff Miller on the Company’s Work with Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, and More". InteractiveTV Today—itvt. October 29, 2009. http://itvt.com/interview/5951/radio-activevideos-jeff-miller-companys-work-cablevision-time-warner-cable-and-more. 
  7. ^ "Radio: ActiveVideo’s Jeff Miller on the Company’s Work with Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, and More". InteractiveTV Today—itvt. October 29, 2009. http://itvt.com/interview/5951/radio-activevideos-jeff-miller-companys-work-cablevision-time-warner-cable-and-more. 
  8. ^ "ActiveVideo's Year of Reckoning". Cable Digital News. October 30, 2009. http://www.lightreading.com/blog.asp?blog_sectionid=419&doc_id=183923&site=cdn. 
  9. ^ "ActiveVideo Signs Up Trailer Park as First Major Content Developer for its CloudTV Platform". InteractiveTV Today—itvt. January 25, 2010. http://itvt.com/story/6412/activevideo-signs-trailer-park-first-major-content-developer-its-cloudtv-platform. 
  10. ^ "ActiveVideo Networks Readies CloudTV Streaming Platform". BigPictureBigSound.com. April 6, 2011. http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/ActiveVideo-Network-Readies-CloudTV.shtml. 
  11. ^ "ActiveVideo Sees A La Carte Future". TWICE. March 21, 2011. http://www.twice.com/article/465481-Active_Video_Sees_A_La_Carte_Future.php. 
  12. ^ "Cablevision Provides Interactive, Multiplatform Olympic Coverage". Broadcasting & Cable. February 11, 2010. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/448950-Cablevision_Provides_Interactive_Multiplatform_Olympic_Coverage.php. 
  13. ^ "ActiveVideo enhances Cablevision’s Olympics coverage". CED Magazine. February 12, 2010. http://www.cedmagazine.com/News-ActiveVideo-Cablevision-Olympics-coverage-021210.aspx?wnnvz=1749,01295804030. 
  14. ^ "Winter Games Go Interactive… for Some TV Viewers". Light Reading. February 12, 2010. http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=187931&site=lr_cable. 
  15. ^ "ActiveVideo enhances Cablevision’s Olympics coverage". CED Magazine. February 12, 2010. http://www.cedmagazine.com/News-ActiveVideo-Cablevision-Olympics-coverage-021210.aspx?wnnvz=1749,01295804030. 
  16. ^ "Cablevision Launches Web-to-TV Product". Broadcasting & Cable. February 24, 2010. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/449355-Cablevision_Launches_Web_to_TV_Product.php?rssid=20065. 
  17. ^ "Cablevision to Deliver Net Content to Set-Tops". Light Reading. February 24, 2010. http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=188331&site=lr_cable&. 
  18. ^ "ActiveVideo Powers Cablevision Interactive Apps". Broadcasting & Cable. May 10, 2010. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/452415-ActiveVideo_Powers_Cablevision_Interactive_Apps.php. 
  19. ^ "Watch up to Nine of Your Favorite Channels at Once? Personalized Quick Views on iO TV Makes it Possible". Cablevision. March 22, 2011. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8224564.htm. 
  20. ^ "Cablevision's Mosaics Cater To Multitaskers". Communications Technology. March 30, 2011. http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/ctreports/commentary/Cablevisions-Mosaics-Cater-To-Multitaskers_45723.html. 
  21. ^ "Cablevision Tiles Up To Nine Favorite Channels On One Screen". Multichannel News. March 22, 2011. http://www.multichannel.com/article/465621-Cablevision_Tiles_Up_To_Nine_Favorite_Channels_On_One_Screen.php. 
  22. ^ "ActiveVideo Advances CloudTV Strategy". TWICE. December 18, 2009. http://www.twice.com/article/441083-ActiveVideo_Advances_CloudTV_CE_Strategy.php?rssid=20328&q=activevideo. 
  23. ^ "ActiveVideo Networks, Funai In Cloud Deal". TWICE. January 18, 2011. http://www.twice.com/article/462592-ActiveVideo_Networks_Funai_In_Cloud_Deal.php. 
  24. ^ "ActiveVideo shows iPhone-controlled interactive TV". Broadband TV News. April 28, 2010. http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/04/28/activevideo-showcases-iphone-controlled-interactive-tv/. 
  25. ^ "SMiT and ActiveVideo Partner for Demo at ANGA". Communications Technology. May 4, 2010. http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/SMiT-and-ActiveVideo-Partner-for-Demo-at-ANGA_41185.html. 
  26. ^ "ActiveVideo Expands Relationship with TAG Networks". Broadband Gear Report. January 21, 2010. http://www.broadbandgear.net/archives/bgr/2010/012110/products.cfm#6. 
  27. ^ "ActiveVideo Adds Gaming With TAG Networks Acquisition". NewTeeVee. May 5, 2010. http://newteevee.com/2010/05/05/activevideo-adds-gaming-with-tag-networks-acquisition/. 
  28. ^ "ActiveVideo acquires TAG Networks". San Jose Business Journal. May 5, 2010. http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/05/03/daily60.html. 
  29. ^ "ActiveVideo Networks to Outline "iVOD" Concept at NCTA Cable Show". ITVT. May 11, 2010. http://www.itvt.com/story/6754/activevideo-networks-outline-ivod-concept-ncta-cable-show. 
  30. ^ "ActiveVideo Networks, This Technology Team on Dynamic Advertising Solution for "iVOD"". ITVT. May 12, 2010. http://itvt.com/story/6764/activevideo-networks-technology-team-dynamic-advertising-solution-ivod. 
  31. ^ "Blockbuster Inks Deal with ActiveVideo". Broadcast Newsroom. January 6, 2010. http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=948306. 
  32. ^ "ActiveVideo Signs Up Trailer Park as First Major Content Developer for its CloudTV Platform". InteractiveTV Today—itvt. January 25, 2010. http://itvt.com/story/6412/activevideo-signs-trailer-park-first-major-content-developer-its-cloudtv-platform. 

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