Digeo, Inc., and
Comporium have successfully trialed three in-home IPTV firsts: 1) multi-stream HD DVR on a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, 2) multi-stream SD DVR over DSL, and 3) multi-room distribution of both live and recorded content from an IPTV provider. The trial is being conducted on Comporium's live commercial IPTV system, using Digeo's Moxi™ Media Center, which has already been deployed to more than 250,000 homes nationwide on traditional cable TV systems.
The goal of the trial was to explore the feasibility of using proven, already-deployed Digeo technology to deliver multiple streams of HD and SD content over an IPTV network. Each participating household in Rock Hill, S.C., in the Charlotte (N.C.) metropolitan region, received the same Moxi Media Center currently deployed by cable operators in more than 80 markets. However, instead of using the coaxial cable input, the IPTV trial used the Moxi Media Center's built-in Ethernet port. A subset of trial homes also received the Moxi Mate companion box to deliver content and media center functionality to a second room via existing in-home coax wiring.
The trial successfully delivered to homes:
- Multi-stream HD content to a DVR on an IPTV network
- Multi-stream SD content over DSL to a DVR
- Both live and recorded content from an IPTV provider to more than one room within the home
The trial delivers the same Emmy ® award-winning user experience currently enjoyed by cable TV customers nationwide who have the Moxi Media Center in their homes. Trial participants were able to access full media center functionality, including the ability to record, pause and rewind live TV; manage digital photos and MP3 music files; watch DVDs; play games and access weather, sports and news via an interactive information ticker. For trial participants who received the companion Moxi Mate, this functionality was also available on a second TV in the home. With highly positive reports from trial participants on their experiences with the Moxi Media Center, Comporium is expanding its evaluation to additional households as it considers the product for commercial deployment.
"This trial is particularly significant for two reasons: first, it was conducted with already-deployed technology, not lab technology or an advanced prototype that has yet to make it to market," said Mike Fidler, CEO of Digeo. "Second, it married the superior capabilities of the Moxi Media Center to what we believe to be the next-generation delivery technology -- Internet protocol. As the number of channels and HDTV content expands exponentially to meet demand, it will become increasingly important for consumers to have a simple, intuitive interface that can help them navigate and manage the wide range of digital entertainment."
Digeo will demonstrate the Moxi Media Center on an IPTV network at CES in January 2006 in Booth 26423 at the TechHome Tech Zone, located in South Hall 2 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.