Netherlands-based Metrological has deployed a cloud based TV app store on UPC Hungary’s HD mediaboxes by partnering with ActiveVideo.
As a result, the cable operator has launched a TV App store without replacing its existing media boxes.
In order for UPC TV Apps to be accessed, the Metrological platform uses the thin client application running on the UPC mediaboxes. Customers have access to a host of new apps, such as YouTube, CNN News, Picasa and Facebook on their TVs, while online content providers and app developers can expand their market footprints to include UPC Hungary television viewers.
Commenting on the development, Albert Dahan, CTO Metrological, said: “The achievement with this deployment is that cloud technology has brought the advantages of the browser-based app store to existing set-top boxes. It’s a case in point of the opportunities that are opening up to operators who are faced with a similar challenge; how to bring online video services to subscribers, quickly and cost-effectively.
“It means that operators can reap the benefits – the revenue opportunities and competitive advantage that app stores open up – whilst protecting existing investments.”
Árpád Jordán, CTO UPC Central and Eastern Europe added: “The app store now enables us to increase customer satisfaction by offering them high quality innovative products, beyond our Live TV and Video on Demand services. UPC TV Apps offer the customer a wide variety of popular and user-friendly apps on their TV screen. Through the Metrological Application Framework, UPC can deliver apps and features to different mediabox platforms, which helps us with our goal to offer our customers our services whenever and wherever they want.”
