[November 8, 2004]

Entone�s Video Service Delivers for Triple Play

BY JOHANNE TORRES

Delivering video through IP seems to be in these days. More and more companies are either joining telcos or cable operators to jointly combine services to complete so-called triple-play (define-news-alert) deals offered to residential and corporate markets. Following this emerging trend comes San Mateo, CA-based Entone Technologies (news - alert), a provider of video content delivery solutions, launching a new video service delivery device for triple-play deals.

The company’s multi-television IP video gateway product called Hydra allows for support of up to three simultaneous television streams and broadband Internet access over existing residential coaxial cabling. Entone says this significantly reduces the costs of delivering IP television services to the home.

Entone says Hydra puts the company at the intersection of two of the most significant developments in home entertainment: IP television and home networking. Hydra seems to ease the integration of multiple TV sets in one’s home. Hydra is a single gateway device that can be shared by up to six televisions with any three of them receiving independent, simultaneous video streams, getting rid of the need for separate IP set-top boxes for each television in the home. With Hydra, video delivery within the home takes place over existing coaxial cabling, therefore eliminating the need for extensive new Ethernet wiring required by traditional IP set-top boxes.

“Our complete product line has been designed from the ground up with a laser-sharp focus on the business case for video,” explained Steve McKay, CEO of Entone Technologies. “Hydra, the world’s first standards-based IP Video Gateway, is a clear example of that strategy. By supporting multiple televisions and broadband Internet access over the same connection and using existing home wiring, Hydra can have a profound impact on the economics of the service. A single device supporting up to six connected televisions brings the capex down, and the use of existing home wiring dramatically reduces the operating costs that come with home installations.”

The new Hydra IP Video Gateway supports up to three simultaneous video streams over a single DSL or Ethernet connection. It can also send up to three independent channels to any combination of up to six television sets in a home—using existing coaxial wiring. Hydra can also display caller ID and call waiting information on the television screen.

Hydra is currently deployed at multiple US telco operators. In most cases, these operators are also using the StreamLiner video servers, Armada asset management tool, and Encoding Studio content-feed solutions from Entone.

Entone Technologies, Inc.
http://www.entone.com