SeaChange International, Inc. is extending its IP Video solutions with the introduction of its Multiverse Suite, an application platform enabling broadband network operators to create video services across televisions, PCs and mobile devices.

The SeaChange Multiverse Suite ^TM enables broadband operators to package, promote and administer on-demand and broadcast video applications to any IP-connected device. Multiverse has open application programming interfaces and is based on industry standards including C, HTML, JavaScript and DVD, enabling broadband operators and third-parties to easily implement new applications to differentiate their subscriber services. SeaChange also offers several fully integrated on-demand applications for Multiverse, including time-shifted TV, games and DVD-on-demand and content navigation, which are created by SeaChange’s settop software development team, one of the industry's largest.

The Multiverse Suite can be offered with SeaChange's IP Video System, capitalizing on the automation, storage and streaming capabilities of the world’s most widely deployed on-demand television system. Multiverse is currently available and several telcos worldwide are evaluating it in preparation for commercial IP video deployments.

"Multiverse simplifies video for broadband operators so they can begin to bring exciting and useful applications to subscribers wherever they are," said Yvette Kanouff, corporate vice president of strategic planning, SeaChange. "Our customers are changing television rapidly and they’re using SeaChange’s open, modular systems to do it with reliability and economy."

Multiverse is a complement to the SeaChange IP Video System ^TM, which is comprised of the SeaChange Axiom ^TM network management software and hybrid media servers. Surpassing the limitations of television middleware, Mutliverse reflects SeaChange’s expertise derived from the delivery of over 100 million on-demand television sessions per month to give network operators a complete, reliable platform to enter the $50 billion multichannel video market.

Open platform for extensive choices
The Multiverse Suite supports a wide range of industry standard media formats including MPEG-2, H.264 and VC-1. It is already integrated with a growing variety of settop boxes, including products from Amino, Kreatel, Motorola, Samsung, Scientific-Atlanta and Thomson. Its open design also allows operators to deploy it with digital rights management and conditional access solutions from Widevine, Verimatrix, SecureMedia and others.

Additionally, Multiverse is SNMP manageable so it plugs into existing networks with the ease of any network device. Open server application programming interfaces allow operators to integrate with their current subscriber billing and management systems and other future OSS choices.

Thorough packaging and pricing for video services
The SeaChange Multiverse Applications Platform ^TM includes the Multiverse IP Video Manager ^TM, a back-office browser-based toolkit for end-to-end subscriber management, content acquisition, billing and subscriber activity reporting. Also included, the Multiverse Client Framework ^TM allows subscribers to activate and manage optional personal settings in the interactive program guide, including parental controls, favorites/bookmarks, search capabilities, e-mail, web access and a personal library of rental lists, programming reminders, messages and caller ID history.

Ensuring scalable IP networks and storage
The SeaChange Axiom Open Suite ^TM VOSS (Video Operations Services Software) is the optional video network manager that administers broadband network functions, including storage, streaming and application services – establishing scalable storage and networks with seamless access for Multiverse and other client applications. The Axiom Open Suite is the first VOSS to provide a completely automated IT approach to system-wide management in a multi-vendor environment, supporting any standards-compliant network equipment, servers or clients to ensure complete flexibility for network operators.

Supporting television's evolution worldwide
First deployed in 2000 and now supporting over 100 broadband networks delivering video services, SeaChange's VOD servers and software are the foundation for the majority of commercial on-demand television services around the world. In multichannel advertising, SeaChange ® Spot ^TM Systems are responsible for the delivery of hundreds of thousands of ads each day. SeaChange is leveraging its unique expertise to create pragmatic solutions that bring new targeted advertising opportunities to on-demand television. Additionally, the Company's server systems are supporting the storage and delivery of video content for hundreds of broadcasters, studios and television networks around the world.