Entone Technologies a leading provider of personal video content delivery solutions, announced today that Consolidated Communications is deploying Entone's Hydra IP video gateway to support the telco's IP television (IPTV) service launch.

Consolidated Communications is the 15th largest telephone company in the US, with approximately 245,000 access lines throughout Illinois and Texas. The company has provided telecommunications services to its communities for more than 100 years and offers a triple-play service bundle of voice, video, and data.

By using the Hydra IP video gateway, Consolidated is able to eliminate set-top boxes, therefore dramatically reducing the installation costs and complexities associated with IP video deployment.

"In making the business case for IPTV, Hydra hands-down made the most sense to us," said Matt Hallam, Digital Video Services (DVS) Product Manager, Consolidated Communications. "We know that installation costs can make or break the business case for IPTV, so going with a solution that eliminates set-top boxes and uses existing coaxial cabling for home video distribution sets Hydra apart from any other solution on the market."

The Hydra gateway can deliver up to three independent television channels to any combination of up to six television sets. In-home video distribution is performed using a home's existing coaxial cabling and no additional set-top boxes are required at the various televisions throughout the home. Hydra typically resides with the primary television or home entertainment center, providing the full breadth of video interfaces including coax, composite, s-video and component video. Installation of other televisions simply involves plugging the television into the coax jack. No new wiring and no additional set-top box required.

In addition to Entone's Hydra IP video gateway, Consolidated is also using Entone's StreamLiner network video recorder (NVR) based on HP's server hardware to support its video on demand (VOD) services. Consolidated Communications' IPTV deployment also includes headend equipment from Tut Systems, Myrio middleware from Siemens SURPASS Home Entertainment solutions, and content protection from Verimatrix.

"Consolidated are among the most progressive and well-regarded operators in the industry when it comes to IPTV deployment," said Steve McKay, CEO of Entone Technologies. "We are delighted to be providing Consolidated our Hydra IP video gateway as well as our StreamLiner VOD server solution."