Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

The MultiMedia Home Platform (MHP):Hype or Reality ?

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

The Uses of DVB - a Scenario

Cable / (S)MATV

Terrestrial

TV Receiver Multimedia PC

Satellite

Reception

Integrated ReceiverDecoder (IRD)

B-ISDNADSL etc.

DVD etc. DVC etc.

MultichannelMicrowaveDistribution

System (MMDS)

Interactivity

Broadcast

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

The World of Digital Television

DVB-SDVB-C

DVB-S DVB-SDVB-CDVB-T

ATSCCableLabsDSSDVB-SDVB-C

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

The MHP Solution Could Look Like This:

MHP-Applic. Development

Service Provider 1

Conditional Access

Networkprovider

MHP-Manufacturer 2 MHP-Manufacturer 1

MHP-Applic. Development

Service Provider 2

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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

PossibleControlApplica-

tion

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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 ?

ControlApplication(Navigator)

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

MHP based on a DVB Java Platformwith “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 ?

ControlApplication(Navigator)

Plug-in A

LegacyApplication A

Plug-inB

LegacyApplica-

tion B

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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 “MHP @ 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. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Partnersat IFA1999

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

During IFA 1999 We Were Able to Exhibit:

Three Set-Top Boxes (from Panasonic, Philips and Sony) and onePC-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. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Example of a MHP-based Electronic Program Guide

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische Universität Braunschweig

Structure of the Presentation

1. The DVB Project

2. Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology

3. The Process

4. Some Results

5. IFA 1999

6. From Here to There

Institut für Nachrichtentechnik U. ReimersTechnische 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