Concurrent launches an advanced HTML-based VOD application-authoring platform, ideal for promoting real-time content such as time-shifted TV and network DVR content. MediaHawk PRISM is a web authoring platform that leverages commercial-off-the-shelf web-development technologies and standards, allowing the cable operator to control their own application look and feel utilizing standard web authoring tools. MH PRISM’s initial launch was with Jupiter Telecommunications, Japan’s largest MSO and MCO, and the product is now available for deployment worldwide.

MH PRISM is a rich web application development platform hosted on a Microsoft.NET web server. The authored HTML web pages are accessed via commercially available web browser technology on the set-top box over the DOCSIS network. With MH PRISM, MSO and third-party developers may create custom, traditional VOD menu navigation including category-based menu navigation, jacket art display of VOD titles and launch of VOD titles and previews. It can allow the incorporation of scaled video in customer interfaces, and is capable of supporting marketing packages and special promotions.

In June of this year, Jupiter Telcommunications launched a new VOD navigation system developed entirely using MH PRISM. “We needed an easily scalable solution to address the growing number of set-top boxes in our markets, while also allowing for future custom applications,” said Tatsuya Yoshihara, deputy general manager, Service Strategy Division and general manager, New Technologies Department, J:COM. “Concurrent’s HTML-based product gives us the ability to create our own unique on-demand navigation, and, since it utilizes standard commercial web-development tools, allows us to quickly adapt to fit any new applications.” MH PRISM addresses Asia’s marketplace, which is rich in advanced IP-based set-top boxes, while at the same time supporting telco and next-generation MSO deployments domestically.

MH PRISM is comprised of the MediaHawk Navigation Server and the MediaHawk Database Server. Both pieces provide a scalable VOD menuing and navigation solution built upon industry-standard web and web-development technologies. The MH Navigation Server operates on one or more Dell 2950 servers utilizing hardware load-balancing to distribute in-coming HTTP traffic. MH PRISM traffic is isolated from the Concurrent back office software by replicating the navigation metadata into the MH Database Server. The MH Database Server is developed utilizing Oracle 10g Real Application Clusters technology running on Linux on one or more Dell 2950 servers. The entire design, although leading edge, utilizes commercial hardware and software and industry standard practices for a scalable web server architecture.