Rotani, Inc., a leading developer and designer of wireless 802.11 networking solutions, today announced the release of its VideoPuck software for IPTV use. An after-market upgrade to commercial Wi-Fi equipment, VideoPuck offers IPTV service providers an immediate wireless solution to facilitate their IPTV rollouts and reduce installation costs and time.

One key issue for carriers wishing to deploy IPTV services is how to facilitate an appropriate connection between the DSL modem and the IPTV Set Top Box connected to the TV. Traditional installation methods require the installer to run new wiring, which is very time consuming, costly and undesirable to the home-owner.

A wireless (Wi-Fi) connection is generally the solution of choice for both the home-owner and service provider. Yet today’s commercial Wi-Fi gear is used predominately for data networking, and does not provide support for wireless multicast IPTV. What's more, Wi-Fi gear suffers from packet loss that ultimately results in screen pixilation and poor video quality.

VideoPuck software turns today’s commercial Wi-Fi gear into a robust wireless solution for streaming multicast IPTV. VideoPuck is basically a wireless replacement of Ethernet cables and just as simple to install. Without any user intervention, VideoPuck automatically configures and establishes an error-free link for wireless transmission of IPTV. VideoPuck is processor and radio chip independent.

"We have already validated VideoPuck on commercial platforms sold by leading Wi-Fi gear vendors for less than $49,” said Nicholas Funke, Executive VP of Rotani. "The video quality on this low-cost platform is immaculate and the range is exceptional, even when surrounded by multiple WLANs co-located in neighboring apartments.”

IPTV service providers can now easily upgrade their current Wi-Fi gear with VideoPuck to accelerate and increase their return from IPTV. VideoPuck is available via open licensing agreements and we can be contacted via email at sales@rotani.com.