April 30, 2007

CableNET Glimpses the Future—for the 15th Time

CableWorld technology editor Michael Grebb previews the 15th annual CableNET at the Cable Show

By Michael Grebb

CableNET, version 14, in 2006

Reflecting on the technological advances of recent years, it’s easy to forget that it all started gestating decades ago. The CableNET exhibit, co-sponsored by CableLabs and the NCTA, has helped keep us abreast of those developments by pooling them in one pavilion on the show floor. Our technology editor Michael Grebb previews the 15th annual CableNET.

ADC Telecommunications – As the quad-play gains attention, this vendor will demo a mobile wireless coverage and capacity solution.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – This chip maker will show off an AMD-based digital TV prototype enabled with CableLabs’ OpenCable spec.

Alarm.com – How about that quintuple-play? This firm offers a broadband home security product.

Aurora Networks – Ever heard of LcWDM? Aurora has, and it will show off the broadband optimization technology.

Clique Communications – The Jetsons are here! This company will demo its SIP-compliant Clique Video Phone, including real-time video messaging, and DOCSIS-compliant video and audio telephony.

Comverse – As user-generated content continues to create buzz, get ready to hear all about the Personal TV BlogCast.

Front Porch – This company touts a direct-to-the-browser app enabling cable operators to target and send Internet customers “any message or content, anytime and anywhere they surf the Internet.”
 
F-Secure – This client-based Internet security firm can manage a co-branded service for service providers, which can then offer it as a value-added or bundled service.  

Hillcrest Labs – Just seeing the UFO-style remote control is reason enough to check out this booth. This point-and-click TV navigation system is definitely unique.

Juniper Networks – Get ready to hear all about WiFi “hotspot” applications for cable operators, combining several elements to allow subs to connect directly to MSOs’ services.

iControl Networks – More Web-based home security, integrated with home networking to boot. Users can get alarm information, view live video, take pictures, and control and manage their devices from their personal web portal or any web-enabled cellular phone.  

Motorola Connected Home Solutions – Where to start. This powerhouse vendor will demo a way to use DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding to multicast HD streams to an IP-based set-top. All at downstream speeds of 145 Mbps. Whoa.

Navic Networks – Remember interactive TV? Navic will show off its addressable advertising solutions, as well as Reveal, its on-demand navigation system.

NDS – The latest interactive apps and production tools for existing and new OCAP-enabled set-tops will be on display.

NextAlarm.com – This broadband security play will showcase its Alarm Broadband Network, a low-cost way to monitor homes and businesses.

Nortel – Commercial services are hot, so Nortel will show off its new products designed to exploit cable operators’ IP network to the business customer.  

OverSi – Get ready to learn about “OverCache,” a peer-to-peer and HTTP caching and content delivery solution designed to reduce the network load when delivering video content over the Internet.

Panache – Cool name. This vendor takes product placement to the next level, transforming the actual products, scenes and subject matter within a video into interactive commerce and branding opportunities.

PerfTech – This company inserts messaging directly onto the screens of browsing subscribers in both wired and Wi-Fi environments.  Uses include advertising, promotions, subscriber-care messaging, spam abuse and control.  

Samsung Electronics – Samsung will display its SMT-H3050 OCAP HD set-top, which the CE firm calls the first OCAP-enabled HD box sold into North America.  It includes a dual tuner, 160GB hard drive and even a home-media gateway to manage content throughout the home.  

Sandvine – This vendor will demo how accurate traffic identification can be used in conjunction with “subscriber awareness” to permit subscriber management and upsell opportunities. Not sure what that means? Find out at CableNet.

Simple Star – Get ready for PhotoShowTV, which enables broadcast-quality PhotoShows on the big screen in the living room.  

Simplicita – The pitch: The Simplicita NXD name error redirect service with typo correction for Internet users can increase broadband providers’ operating profit net of infrastructure and advertising costs.

Sofia Digital – More OCAP for ya. Sofia will showcase its OCAP-enabled “Backstage Browser Platform,” a comprehensive XHTML microbrowser for interactive apps, its  benchmark system to test performance and features of OCAP set-top boxes, as well as other OCAP-related products.

Softel-USA – Softel will show off its MediaSphere TX carousel system, as well as examples of OCAP and ETV Applications for iTV.

thePlatform – This Comcast-affiliated firm will demo its broadband video application service provider for content providers, broadband media sites, and mobile businesses.

uControl – uControl allows the user to remotely control and monitor an alarm system via the web, cell phone or PDA. It also offers home automation services such as thermostat and lighting controls.

UniSoft Corp./Strategy & Technology Ltd. – UniSoft will demo its latest version of the TSBroadcaster DSM-CC object carousel generator, OCAP encoder and play-out system.  

VectorMAX Corp. – Get ready to see IPTV on both the Mac and Windows platforms. The demo includes content management via a web-based system, and mobile offerings on various Symbian and Windows Mobile devices.