S&T Launch New Interactive TV Receiver

Strategy & Technology (S&T), a leading specialist in the field of digital interactive TV, is using NAB 2008 to launch the brand new version of its interactive TV receiver engine RedKey 2.
RedKey 2 is a software receiver engine that adds MHEG-5 capabilities - the successful MHEG-5 interactive TV middleware - to set-top boxes and integrated digital television sets (IDTV). S&T said that it provides "significant enhancements" over its predecessor and has been designed to address the needs of the many new interactive television markets that are now emerging around the world.
RedKey 2 includes functionality that supports an IP-based return channel, a development that is likely to be widely adopted internationally and is currently known as the Interaction Channel. The new engine also provides support for high definition graphics as well as an enhanced font renderer that supports downloadable fonts. It also allows PVR control for Push VOD services.
S&T has taken a modular approach to the design of RedKey 2 therefore allowing set-top box and IDTV manufacturers to include only those features necessary for the markets that they want to serve. By choosing RedKey 2, customers can re-use large sections of product development to address all MHEG market opportunities worldwide, optimizing the use of product development budgets and resources.
Paul Daly, General Manager of S&T Client Systems, said: "With RedKey 2, we have significantly enhanced the scope of the technology without compromising two of its core assets: it is highly cost-effective and requires a very small memory footprint to operate. RedKey 2 is a great achievement and real advance and provides broadcasters with additional routes to success.
MHEG-5 is the leading international public standard for interactive TV services. With over 23 million receivers sold in the UK for its Freeview service - according to figures from Ofcom's Q3 Digital TV Report - and successful deployment in New Zealand (with operators in Hong Kong and India now rolling out services) it is a rapidly growing technology.
Strategy & Technology Ltd is a specialist company, building and implementing technology based on international standards in digital TV.
They will be at NAB 2008 in Las Vegas at Stand SU9306 (UK Pavilion).
Further information is available at: www.s-and-t.com.
(KMcA/JM)