Cabot Communications announce single chip IDTV software

23rd April 2008 – Cabot Communications, the specialist digital TV software supplier, announces that it has developed a single software stack IDTV solution that seamlessly supports both analogue and digital TV broadcasts.

AuroraTV is a complete, platform independent solution which provides full TV control for picture, sound and interactive services. Pause live TV, Picture in Picture (PIP) and Picture and Text (PAT) modes are supported along with integrated teletext and subtitles. Media Browser technology provides continuously expanding audio/video Codecs support, while a full range of connectivity is supplied through flexible input/output controls such as HDMI Scart, USB and PC. Internal and external storage functionality is also available, with DTR functions being dynamically enabled. The system also provides complete flexibility for the integration of silicon or customer specific features, such as picture image enhancements and fully integrated CI stack as well as optional integrated CA modules.

AuroraTV has been designed to support manufacturers in the transition from analogue to digital services and also includes extensive High Definition support capability as well as the flexibility to scale standard definition User Interfaces (UI) easily. The inclusion of a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) processing module enables new UI designs to be easily integrated with minimal time and effort, and allows rapid prototyping. The Cabot SVG module has been designed to enable Graphical Designers to use industry standard tools to create high quality, creative UIs. Designers receive documentation, templates and simple PC rendering tools enabling instant test and review of UI updates, effectively freeing up precious engineering resources.

Bob Lamb, Managing Director of Cabot Communications, commented “In order to accommodate the need for both analogue and digital support, many manufacturers are compelled to create IDTV solutions which consist of two different chipsets, one for analogue and one for digital. The outcome is a complex solution which revolves around two different software stacks, each with its own independent, and often incongruous, applications and menu designs. As a result manufacturers are being faced with lengthy integration periods for each stack and ultimately a poor end-user experience with consumers being confused by separate menus and service lists. This is especially difficult for manufacturers wishing to target the mid to high-end portion of the IDTV market.”

About Cabot Communications
Founded in 1993, Cabot Communications was one of the forerunners of the digital TV revolution. Working in partnership with early innovators such as SES-ASTRA, Telewest and the BBC, Cabot helped to develop some of the industry's pioneering solutions for interactive services, content creation and delivery. Since that time, Cabot has been fully committed to delivering competitive advantage to digital device manufacturers through the continuous development of market-leading DVB middleware.

Aurora, Cabot’s Digital TV Software Suite, has been designed and tested to address the complex requirements of divergent international standards, regulations and analogue systems. The Aurora suite is based upon worldwide DVB standards and includes complex functionality which enables it to support deployment throughout Europe as well as emerging digital markets such as Australia, Russia, India and South Africa. Aurora’s modular architecture is fully scalable and its innovative plug & play technology supports every transmission network.

Cabot’s extensive resources are dedicated to ensuring that Cabot products are at the forefront of the industry, taking full advantage of the latest technology and enabling manufacturers to provide consumers with cutting-edge functionality and the richest user experience. For further information visit our web site at www.cabot.co.uk