Microsoft and Motorola Provide Developers With Advanced Interactive Digital Set-Top Boxes to Create Interactive TV Programming
Part of Microsoft's New Content Builder Initiative, Program Encourages Developers to Bring Enhanced TV Programming to Life
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) 2001 Conference, Microsoft Corp. announced it is teaming with Motorola Inc.'s Broadband Communications Sector to offer Motorola's DCT-5000+ advanced set-top boxes to qualified developers through the new Microsoft® TV Content Builder Initiative (CBI). The Microsoft TV CBI is designed to help speed the delivery of enhanced television by enabling direct applications development and testing on the same set-top boxes that consumers will use for interactive TV entertainment.
(Photo: newscom.com )
The CBI provides a framework for members of the Microsoft TV Content Developer Program that are working on advanced interactive TV programming to create solutions for the Microsoft TV platform, as delivered in a broadband, advanced set-top box environment. Members of the Content Developer Program can tap into the tools, templates and training materials developed by Microsoft to create compelling, enhanced TV programming that not only provides a rich viewing experience for consumers, but also opens new advertising and ``t-commerce'' revenue opportunities for programmers, broadcasters and operators of next-generation television services. The Motorola DCT-5000+ advanced set- top box will enable CBI participants to view and assess their programming in the same way that consumers will experience it when Microsoft TV-powered broadband services are deployed by cable, terrestrial and satellite TV system operators.
``Through our Content Developer Program, Microsoft TV is leading the way for making interactive TV a reality,'' said Alan Yates, vice president of sales and marketing at Microsoft TV. ``It is critical that developers and companies joining the program have access to the resources and materials they need to deploy enhanced TV programming and services. The CBI and the Motorola system show developers how their enhanced TV content performs on a real broadband system before it's deployed.''
``Motorola is pleased to be working with Microsoft to show enhanced TV content builders how our advanced interactive DCT-5000+ platform offers all the functionality needed to develop engaging interactive television,'' said Carl McGrath, vice president and general manager of DigiCable, Motorola's North American digital cable technology business. ``Microsoft's CBI program nicely ties into Motorola's mission of linking people's dreams with technology's promise. Our advanced interactive digital set-tops are at the center of convergence, and television is becoming a major distribution vehicle for interactive video and Internet content. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft and provide leading content companies with the tools they need to more quickly deliver on the promise of this new TV experience.''
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