Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The MultiMedia Home Platform (MHP): Hype or Reality ?

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The DVB Project has Defined Three Phases of Technical Development: In Phase 1 all technologies relevant to the broadcast channel via cable, MMDS, satellite and terrestrial transmitters have been developed and standardised. All relevant infrastucture standards have been devised. In Phase 2 all required return and interaction channels have been defined. Solutions exist for interaction channels via telephone, cordless telephone (DECT), mobile telephone (GSM), cable, LMDS, satellite. The standard for Data Broadcasting was created. In Phase 3 we are currently finalising the software system called Multimedia Home Platform Tell us what technical system you need: We probably have it already

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The World of Digital Television DVB-S DVB-C DVB-S DVB-C DVB-T ATSC CableLabs DSS DVB-S DVB-C

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Multimedia ?Home ! Platform Whatever you may think about the role of the DVB Project: we do not consider it our task to define a platform on which Multimedia devices can be stored in the home. DVB

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The Multimedia Home Platform consists of a user terminal including all possible low- to high- functionality implementations, its associated peripherals, and the in-home digital network. The MHP solution encompasses the whole set of technologies necessary to implement the MHP including protocols, common languages (API), interfaces, and recommendations. The MHP supports several levels of interactive services / applications. These are defined as: Enhanced broadcasting (including local interactivity) Interactive broadcasting (using a return channel) Internet access

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig An Application Programming Interface (API) is used in a terminal device to implement certain functionalities that allow hardware-independent development of content and applications. It allows differentiation in terms of the capabilities of the end user platform. The Navigator is the basic user-interface of a terminal device used in the enhanced broadcasting mode. It is defined by the manufacturer of the terminal device. Each MHP provides a Navigator. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is the higher-level consumer navigation device in the enhanced broadcasting mode. It is an application which can be provided by different parties and may be delivered via the broadcast channel.

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The Problem of Vertical Integration Applications Development Service Provider Conditional Access Network Provider Consumer Electr. Manuf. Vertical 1 Applications Development Service Provider Conditional Access Network Provider Consumer Electr. Manuf. Vertical 2

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The MHP Solution Could Look Like This: MHP-Applic. DevelopmentService Provider 1Conditional Access Networkprovider MHP-Manufacturer 2 MHP-Manufacturer 1MHP-Applic. DevelopmentService Provider 2

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Steps in the Development of the MHP Commercial Requirements Technical Requirements Framework Request for Detailed Specification First Working Draft Working Draft Draft Standard International Standard Time

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Reference Model of the MHP The architecture of the MHP is described by 3 layers: Hardware and Software Resources System Software API Interope- rable Applica- tion 1 Interope- rable Applica- tion 2 Interope- rable Applica- tion 3 Interop. Applica- tion Library Possible Control Applica- tion

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig MHP based on a DVB Java Platform Hardware-Ressources System Software (Operating System, Drivers, Firmware etc.) MHP API Interoperable Java Applications Java Virtual Machine “Core” Java APIs “Digital TV” Java APIs Others ? Control Application (Navigator)

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig MHP based on a DVB Java Platform with “Plug-ins” for “Legacy Applications” Hardware-Ressources System-Software (Operating System, Drivers, Firmware etc.) MHP API Interoperable Java- Applications Java Virtual Machine “Core” Java APIs “Digital TV” Java APIs Others ? Control Application (Navigator) Plug-in A Legacy Application A Plug-in B Legacy Applica- tion B

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig The Working Draft of the MHP In July 1999 the Steering Board of the DVB Project approved the “Working Draft of the MHP Specification” The “Working Draft” is the basis for the implementation of the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 1999 in Berlin” For IFA 1999 several manufacturers (Nokia, Panasonic, Philips, Sony) have developed MHP receiver prototypes EPGs, games and other applications have been developed by several organisations The MHP concept has thus been demonstrated a few weeks ago A special exhibit at IBC 1999 was devoted to the MHP

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Partners at IFA 1999

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig During IFA 1999 We Were Able to Exhibit: Three Set-Top Boxes (from Panasonic, Philips and Sony) and one PC-based solution (from Grundig) Ten MHP-Applications from: BBC (Digital Text, News Ticker) Bertelsmann (Space Invaders) Canal+ (World Clock) IRT (News Ticker, ARD EPG, Tele Voting) RAI (EPG) RTL (EPG) Sun/BBC (Top of the Pops)

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Example of a MHP-based Electronic Program Guide

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Structure of the Presentation 1.The DVB Project 2.Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology 3. The Process 4.Some Results 5. IFA From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. Reimers Technische Universität Braunschweig Conclusion The MHP is an open software environment of high complexity The MHP specification will be complete by January 2000 First MHP receivers and applications will become available in the course of the year 2000 The development of the MHP is an extremely complicated process due to the mixture of technical, commercial and political problems The MHP development is a team effort. EACEM plays an important role as part of the team