SERAPHIC has partnered with IRT to show the latest HbbTV 2 features at BroadcastAsia 2017.
It did so by showcasing ARD Mediathek – the largest catch up TV service in German speaking countries – for mobile devices in a prototype version using the latest HbbTV 2 companion screen technologies. This allows users of the ARD Mediathek application to view the contents from ARD, the largest public-service broadcasting network in Germany, and cast video clips onto HbbTV 2.0 DTV devices.
Commenting on the development, Ye Wang, CEO of SERAPHIC, said: “This signifies that we’ve stepped into a new stage. HbbTV 2 technologies can finally run on the TV screens in our living rooms and deliver the fascinating hybrid, immersive viewing experience for our customers anytime”.
Wang also revealed that SERAPHIC’s HbbTV 2 solution has been proven with “superb performance” on mainstream DTV and STB chipset platforms such as ALi, Broadcom, MStar, etc. “It saves integration efforts of device manufacturers and therefore could enable them to accelerate time-to-market”.
Klaus Merkel, HbbTV project coordinator at IRT, added: “As central research and competence centre, IRT is supporting broadcasters, TV and STB manufacturers to develop novel services for connected TVs, namely the HbbTV platform, by offering trainings, implementing prototype applications and testing services.”
For the companion screen, IRT provided test material and an HbbTV 2 enabled prototype of the Android version for ARD Mediathek, that was developed with ARD and is envisaged as the basis for one of the first HbbTV 2 services in Germany.
Wang continued: SERAPHIC is always seeking close collaboration with industry partners in the fast developing HbbTV area. We are delighted to work with IRT and lead a successful cooperation case through joint efforts and effective communication. We promise that SERAPHIC will take further actions to deliver more support to HbbTV application developers in the latest HbbTV 2 device technologies side, with more flexible approaches”.
