BillyG,
Thanks for clarifying. Intel news:
Wednesday December 10, 11:03 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Intel Launches Open Digital Broadcast Initiative to Promote
Broadband Content for Digital Receivers
ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1997--Intel Corporation today announced an Open Digital
Broadcast Initiative to promote creation of broadband content for digital receivers. The initiative should allow a
content creator to author once and display content on any digital receiver, regardless of type of transport (terrestrial,
cable or satellite).
The initiative, announced here at the Western Cable Show, consists of development of an Open Digital Broadcast
Specification, technologies that enable digital broadcast services, including Intercast(R) Viewer Version 2.0, and
support for end-to-end deployment of such services.
To be developed by Intel and members of the content industry, the Open Digital Broadcast Specification will allow
developers to create multimedia content once and distribute it via multiple transport mechanisms to a variety of
receivers. By eliminating the need to customize content for transport and reception, the specification is expected to
accelerate the development of broadcast services that combine video and data.
Such services could include content from web sites, enhanced television programming, electronic program guides or
electronic subscription services. This specification would complement existing transport standards, such as those for
terrestrial, digital television, digital satellite and digital cable.
Intel will also offer technologies to accelerate the deployment of digital broadcast services. Intel took an early lead in
enriched TV with its Intercast technology, which combines TV programs with broadcast data such as web pages.
Intel has developed both broadcaster tools and PC-based viewer applications using Intercast technology.
Intel announced the Intercast Viewer Version 2.0, which will give programmers new capabilities for delivering digital
content to audiences. These new capabilities include file transfer (for example, sending a screen saver or personal
finance application), real-time message streaming, such as a stock ticker, and edge-to-edge control of the screen
layout, giving content creators the freedom to design an interface with an individual look and feel.
Intel expects to introduce the Intercast Viewer Version 2.0 in Q1 '98. Future versions of the Intercast Viewer and
broadcaster tools will implement the Open Digital Broadcast Specification, allowing programmers to manage and
deliver content on multiple transports.
Additionally, Intel will work with national broadcast and satellite networks, local TV stations, and cable operators to
enable end-to-end deployment of new applications. Nickelodeon, BackWeb Technologies and Portland Software
are showing prototype demonstrations of applications in the Intel booth at the Western Show. Intel will also work
with broadcast tools vendors and programmers to integrate data delivery into production.
In a related effort, Intel is demonstrating cost-effective decoding of U.S. digital television on a PC, using the
All-Format Decoder (AFD) technology. The demonstration is made possible by Intel's implementation of Hitachi's
AFD algorithm, developed by Hitachi's Digital Media Systems Lab in Princeton, N.J.(1)
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and
communications products. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/pressroom .
-0-
Note to Editors: (1) Although Intel is demonstrating Hitachi's All-Format Decoder technology in Zenith's booth
space, Hitachi and Zenith are not associated or working together in this project. Other brands or products are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Contact:
Intel Corp.
Lynn Heinisch, 408/765-7353
lynn_heinisch@ccm.sc.intel.com |
