Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 29, 2004
Web access, information, entertainment and transactions services are becoming increasingly critical to travelers. Video network operators can enable the hospitality industry to offer new, low-cost services that require no capital investment from the industry and no specialized infrastructure equipment installed on their premises. Together, MiTV and ICTV are enabling video network operators to deliver these new revenue-generating services utilizing headend-based technology and standard digital set-top boxes.
MiTV is the only centralized solution for Hotel Interactive Television Services for video network operators in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and other countries. ICTV is the creator of HeadendWare®, the cable industry’s most versatile platform for delivery of compelling interactive content.
Using a digital set-top box (STB), a keyboard and a remote control, MiTV’s technology brings new comforts to the hotel guests such as: e-commerce and on -line tour purchases; e-mail (web based or corporate) and Internet; electronic concierge; video on demand; maintenance and maid service scheduling; electronic billing; updated world news, interactive advertising and much more — all from a television set. Guests benefit from having an easy and friendly Interactive TV user interface they can access from the comfort of their hotel room. Not only do these services benefit guests and hotels, but also local advertisers and merchants since they can advertise and sell their products and services to the many tourists staying in the hotels.
Narno Dorbecker, MiTV’s CFO, stated “ICTV’s HeadendWare offers a dynamic allocation to improve the performance of digital set-top boxes, allowing MiTV’s software to be used on any headend platform.” “This system allows MiTV to be installed on the many Motorola’s platforms using low capability digital boxes while enhancing the abilities to offer complex iTV services such as video on demand, interactive games and more.”
Miguel Kramis, MiTV’s CEO, added “this strategic alliance offers video network operators the opportunity to maximize their headend investment by enabling them to increase their revenues by expanding their market by offering new services.”
“MiTV is uniquely positioned to offer a whole new range of market opportunities,” said Mitchell Askenas, Vice President, Advanced Product Development for ICTV. “By combining MiTV’s robust applications with the centralized processing power of HeadendWare, our companies can enable video network operators to deliver – and gain revenue from – games, video on demand, guides, and other services that hotel guests have come to expect.”
About HeadendWare®
The HeadendWare platform enables network operators to deliver compelling interactive content and applications, including animation, high-fidelity audio and full-motion video, to any digital set-top box. Using headend-based processing power and the existing digital plant, HeadendWare removes set-top box and middleware constraints on the delivery of compelling interactive multimedia content and allows TV-friendly activity that cannot be matched by satellite competitors.
With HeadendWare application servers located anywhere on the operator’s network or outsourced, an operator’s entire digital subscriber base can interact with robust multimedia applications developed with standard PC, Web and Java tools using existing set-top boxes and remote controls. HeadendWare supports the latest versions of HTML, JavaScript, Java, Windows Media Player®, Flash®, RealPlayer® and QuickTime®, enabling network operators to provide subscribers with a limitless array of content and applications.
About ICTV™
ICTV™ provides enabling infrastructure for the delivery of new television services to digital cable subscribers. The company offers a solutions-oriented approach to new television services that combines standards-based technology with a portfolio of branded iTV applications that can be deployed today. The solution-based approach offers operators one of the highest returns on bandwidth and incremental capital with iTV services available. Strategic investors include Adelphia, Liberty Media, Motorola, OpenTV, Shaw Communications, TV Guide, Cox Communications and Lauder Partners.
Based in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, with offices in Baltimore and the United Kingdom, the company has been issued 23 patents and has numerous patents pending, ensuring protection of its unique and innovative television services solution. ICTV is a member of the Motorola Horizon and Scientific-Atlanta CreativEdge Developer’s Programs. For more information, visit http://www.ictv.com.
MiTV and ICTV Form an Alliance Enabling Video Network Operators to Deliver Interactive Services to the Hospitality Industry
