NDS and Amino announced that the NDS Synamedia Metro middleware solution has been integrated into the AmiNET130 advanced IPTV platform. The integration of Synamedia Metro with the AmiNET130 provides telco operators with a second generation IPTV solution for a fast and economical deployment of next-generation IPTV services.

The AmiNET130 IPTV set-top box features support for H.264, a low-bit rate advanced video codec for SD and HD quality video, enabling operators to provide revenue-generating services by maximizing the efficient use of network bandwidth. The AmiNET130 offers operators a cost effective means to deliver end-to-end digital High Definition TV as multicast, on-demand video and multi-room IPTV services with stunning TV quality and minimal capital expenditure.

NDS Synamedia Metro provides operators with a complete IPTV middleware solution based on its MediaHighway set-top box (STB) middleware application development platform which is running on 44.7 million set-top boxes today. Through this solution, NDS Synamedia Metro brings the world's most advanced technologies to telcos and their digital subscribers, including advanced SD and HD Electronic Program Guides, interactive TV applications, Video on Demand and interactive games.

Synamedia Metro also includes NDS VideoGuard, the world's most deployed video content protection system with 66.7 million active clients. The integration with the AmiNET130 includes the VGS version of VideoGuard, which provides an extremely secure hardware solution that does not need smart cards in the STB. The solution uses the security tools available on the processor in the Amino set-top box which communicates with secure headend security servers. NDS has worked closely with the major chipset manufacturers to develop these non-proprietary secure processors – one of which is implemented in the AmiNET130. VideoGuard DRM further extends this capability to provide secure content portability to PCs and personal media players.

"We are very pleased to announce another strong offering for the IPTV market, and another successful partnership between NDS and Amino," said Dr. Dov Rubin, vice president and general manager, NDS Americas. "We think telcos need a cost-effective, secure IPTV integrated solution and this integration will enable them to provide the most cutting edge, next-generation applications to their customers."

Roy Kirsopp, vice president and general manager of Amino, added: "We are very excited to be working with NDS again to expand our market leading range of integrations with IPTV middleware offerings. NDS is already established as one of the leaders in conditional access and by integrating their proven middleware solution into our advanced IPTV set-top box, we can offer reliable solutions to telcos as they work to bring IPTV services quickly and economically".

This integration builds upon several customer deployments around the world where NDS technology has been successfully integrated with Amino IPTV set-top boxes.