Mariner has been extended to use new functionality in Microsoft Mediaroom Client 2.2, enabling telecommunications providers to monitor the IPTV user experience more efficiently and deliver a superior quality of service.

As the most widely deployed IPTV Set-Top-Box monitoring platform, Mariner xVu enables IPTV service operators worldwide to offer a premium TV user experience. By taking advantage of the recent enhancements offered by the latest release of the Microsoft Mediaroom 2.2 Client, Mariner xVu has been further improved to provide the operator with scalable, best-in-class troubleshooting tools for more effective isolation of IPTV service quality issues.

S3 Group announces that Swisscom has chosen StormTest Development Center to ensure the accurate and speedy software testing on IPTV Set-Top Boxes. This deployment, focused on STBs running Microsoft Mediaroom Client, has instantly improved the accuracy of testing as well as turnaround time. Swisscom was previously utilizing manual testing which is often time consuming, repetitive and poses more room for errors.

StormTest Development Center allows automated software testing to be executed efficiently and effectively across multiple digital TV devices. Swisscom is optimizing the solution to test its customized Microsoft Mediaroom Client and TV apps. This simulates the customers' experience and reduces the amount of time required per test hence optimizing the productivity of its development in general. With the streamlining ability of StormTest Development Center, Swisscom can now benefit from a powerful automated software testing framework that is flexible enough to cover a wide range of scenarios -- an objective that was previously unachievable.

Imagine Communications announces that its award-winning ICE Video Platform IPTV transcoder has successfully completed qualification testing for the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform. The test was administered by Tech Mahindra as part of the Microsoft Mediaroom Interoperability and Qualification Lab program, which is intended to enable seamless interoperability and compliance of headend equipment used in Microsoft Mediaroom deployments.

Available in a dense 1RU package or as a NEBS compliant Blade System, the Imagine ICE Video Platform is the ideal solution for IPTV service providers who need to deploy more channels with higher picture quality, and then rapidly and seamlessly add support for multiple devices such as tablets, PCs and smartphones. By integrating audio and video transcoding in the same platform as PIP creation, multiscreen transcoding and multi-format media streaming, the ICE Video Platform provides an all-in-one solution for quality, scalability and reliability.

CHR Solutions announces the immediate availability of Media(n) – a seamless IPTV interface solution that synchronizes all the elements of the IPTV ecosystem to streamline back office operations and drive revenue with Microsoft Mediaroom.

Microsoft Mediaroom is the world’s premier IPTV platform – a unique and functional solution for delivering next-gen television services. Mediaroom provides high levels of subscriber personalization and the best in programming and functionality.

Media(n) was designed to interface seamlessly with Communication Service Providers existing b/oSS and Microsoft Mediaroom, to provide a true end-to-end automated experience for provisioning and activating services. With Media(n), CSPs that want to deliver unrivaled IPTV services no longer need to struggle through the complexities and uncertainties of IPTV integration. CHR Solutions and Media(n) provide a solid, predictable solution that ensures successful integration.

Harmonic announces that Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative of Walterboro, S.C., has selected the Harmonic ProStream 1000 with ACE high-density, real-time transcoder to power HD and SD video for its 290-channel IPTV service, based on the Microsoft Mediaroom platform.

The ProStream 1000 with ACE "any-to-any, any-to-many" real-time transcoding solution provides PRTC with Microsoft picture-in-picture capability and support for HD and SD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) video and audio transcoding of up to 20 HD or 60 SD channels in a compact and power-efficient one rack unit chassis. The platform's industry-leading density enables PRTC to meet the growing demand for digital TV services.

Tbaytel has selected the Calix B6 Ethernet Service Access Node for its launch of advanced IPTV services. Tbaytel will leverage powerful VDSL2 and Active Ethernet fiber access technology to bring Microsoft Mediaroom powered video services to residential subscribers in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Tbaytel has been deploying the B6 ESAN for four years, and has been delivering high-speed Internet services over ADSL to its customers since 2006. Anticipating subscriber demand for an enhanced video experience, Tbaytel embarked on developing an IPTV strategy that included the Calix B6, leveraging the platform’s simplified transition path to new access technologies that could meet the high bandwidth demands of this new service.

Harmonic announces that its ProStream 1000 stream processor with ACE transcoding technology has completed compliance testing for the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform. Testing was administered by Microsoft Corp. as part of the Microsoft Mediaroom Interoperability and Qualification Lab program, which is intended to enable the ongoing interoperability and compliance of headend equipment used in deployments of Microsoft Mediaroom. Harmonic powers the video headend infrastructure for a majority of Microsoft Mediaroom customers worldwide.

Symbio has been selected by Microsoft as a Microsoft Mediaroom set-top box integration and testing partner. Symbio will provide software quality assurance and testing services for original equipment manufacturers to test new STB models for deployment by Mediaroom's clients, enabling enhanced user experiences, faster time-to-market, and more choices of STBs for service providers and consumers.

According to a recent Broadband and Digitally-Connected Home report by Lee Ratliff, senior analyst at iSuppli, the leading market research firm focused on the electronics value chain, global shipments of IPTV STBs are projected to grow to 28.7 million units in 2010, up 48 percent from 19.4 million in 2009. Shipments will also rise at a 25 percent compound annual growth rate from 2009 to 2014.

Alcatel-Lucent unveiles a turnkey, compact IPTV solution, powered by Microsoft Mediaroom, that is designed to cost-effectively support networks of between 1,000 and 100,000 set-top-boxes. The solution not only provides high-quality television programming, but also enables new consumer media services through the blending and personalization of web and broadcasting content. This new offer, which uses a single equipment rack, supports more than three times as many households than previous versions of the Microsoft Mediaroom-based IPTV solution.

Cinergy MetroNet is the first customer to use the solution and will begin offering Alcatel-Lucent-powered IPTV services to six cities in Indiana, reaching approximately 50,000 potential customers beginning July 26, 2010.

IneoQuest has expanded its family of products for monitoring, analyzing, troubleshooting and reporting performance of Microsoft Mediaroom deployments with the addition of IQDialogue Mediaroom Platform Manager. IneoQuest has also added the IQDialogue IPTV probe to its line of products for monitoring, remote testing and analyzing traditional IPTV infrastructure. As the most comprehensive suite of solutions, IneoQuest's product line assists providers with the ability to offer superior, cutting-edge features and services while helping to improve their quality of service and quality of experience for subscribers.

SureWest has selected Comtrend's NexusLink as the ADSL2+ solution of choice for a new video services rollout over its copper-based network. SureWest's new IP video service is being marketed as Advanced Digital TV powered by Microsoft Mediaroom, and is available over both its existing fiber-to-the-home and copper networks.

Calix will demonstrate new interactive IPTV applications enabled by Microsoft Mediaroom at TelcoTV in Orlando (November 10-12, Orange County Convention Center, booth #501).

The Calix TelcoTV demonstration will include security monitoring and caller ID applications created by Microsoft Certified Integration Partner 180Squared using the Mediaroom application development platform, Mediaroom Presentation Framework. This demonstration will provide a clear vision of the differentiated user experience that Microsoft Mediaroom can provide. It will also highlight the deployment flexibility that the Calix Unified Access Infrastructure can deliver across any media type or protocol.

Motorola is accelerating the delivery of personalized media experiences for Farmers Telephone by supporting the delivery of IPTV services with Microsoft Mediaroom. Motorola will provide Farmers with its VIP1200 Series of IP set-tops and Microsoft’s Mediaroom video services platform, as well as systems integration professional services support.

IneoQuest announces the availability of two solutions that now bring complete monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities for Microsoft Mediaroom, from development and lab trials to full scale market deployment. IneoQuest's new IQDialogue IPTV Mediaroom Installer Edition enables service providers to easily verify turn-up and investigate issues in the field. In addition, IneoQuest has also upgraded its IQDialogue IPTV Mediaroom Advanced Edition for greater analysis and troubleshooting for Mediaroom development. With these products, IneoQuest is helping to improve Mediaroom QoS across the entire delivery chain and enable its customers to meet subscriber demands.

S3 has been selected as a Microsoft Mediaroom testing partner to provide STB testing services. This means that S3 will undertake testing work for Original Equipment Manufacturers to test new and derivative STB models for deployment by Mediaroom customers. S3 is in a position to increase testing capacity for Mediaroom, enabling faster time-to-market for OEMs and more choice of STBs for Mediaroom operators.