France's leading cable operator, NOOS, has launched series of themed interactive video mosaics based on the new httv Prime//Mosaic solution.

NOOS' interactive video mosaic presents all the channels related to a dedicated theme, such as sports, music, kids, etc., on one page. The viewer can then navigate with the remote control from one thumbnail to another, with synchronized audio or to an interactive service available on the themed portal (real time info, scores, games, etc). httv's new solution is a fully integrated system featuring video, audio, and interactivity, which increases flexibility and dramatically reduces the cost of creating mosaic channels.

Previously, broadcasters such as Canal+, BBC, Sky, DirecTV or Echostar have had to integrate multiple elements of software and hardware to create such multi-screen applications. These systems have typically been relatively inflexible, expensive and complex to manage and update.

The httv Prime//Mosaic system incorporates all the necessary hardware and comprises a mosaic builder and an interactive application, which is available for OpenTV, MHP/OCAP and IPTV middlewares. The mosaic builder can construct a video feed from up to twenty audio and video sources from unencrypted single, or multiple, program transport streams using ASI or IP digital inputs. The output is a multiplexed stream combining video, multiple audio tracks, signaling information and the interactive application.

The main advantage of this all-in-one compact mosaic system is the easy integration of the equipment: there is no need for extra hardware (analogue, SDI, video and audio encoder, multiplexer). It dramatically reduces the cost of Video Mosaics and provides total flexibility.

The authoring system, which is based on the httv PrimeTV system, allows service providers to create, design and manage the interactive mosaic using drag and drop tools. Mosaics can be updated dynamically - scheduled and customized to current programs. Additional interactive content can also be added to the mosaic such as real time data, EIT information, links to iTV services (advertising, games...).

"Interactive Video mosaics are not a new concept," said Jean-Christophe Jubin of httv, "but with the Prime//Mosaic end-to-end solution they becomes fully interactive, cost effective and easy to deploy". "Video Mosaic is a new way to consume TV," he continued. "For instance, subscribers looking for sport will now tune on the sports video mosaic channel to check what's currently available on all the sports channels. They will also be able to access sports interactive information, games, contests, betting and interactive adverts. "Our solution provides previews of pay TV channels. It is an excellent way to promote new channels and upgrade packages".

Other examples include news applications, kids' channels, multi-stream event coverage, and mosaics of channels within the same subscription packages. Multichannel mosaic services remain one of the most popular applications on interactive television, combining audio, video and interactivity in a way that is intuitively attractive to viewers.

Virginie Sicard, marketing manager at NOOS declares: "Interactive video mosaic is a new way to segment our channel offer. It has already proven a large success with our customers. httv Prime//Mosaic solution gave us flexibility and autonomy to dynamically manage our mosaic channels".