TelcoTV: i3 adds PVR to set-top, lands Consolidated

ORLANDO--

i3 micro technology announced at Telco TV the addition of a personal video recorder capability to its Mood set-top box line. In a separate announcement, the company said it has been chosen by Consolidated Communications as one of the set-top box vendors for that telco’s IP video deployment.

The PVR capability, which is compatible with the entire Mood line-up, is unique in that as a software solution, it can be integrated with the set-tops before deployment or added as an upgrade after service launch. Content can be stored on either an in-home or network-based storage device.

"Our approach is that PVR really is a software application," said Gordon Lewandowski, vice president of U.S. operations for i3 micro.

By decoupling the application from the set-top, the company also puts its software in position to be integrated into the middleware, he added. Currently, i3 has launched set-tops with Myrio middleware. It also has licensed digital rights management technology from Microsoft. i3 also has created a PVR development kit for software vendors that want to integrate its application.

Initially, i3 anticipates most carriers will use a subscriber’s in-home network for distributing and storing recorded programs, MP3 music and digital photo files. However, several carriers have reignited interest in network-based storage and i3’s application would operate in essentially the same manner under that scenario.

"There’s a market to be addressed but right now there’s no consistent approach," Lewandowski said.

As part of its contract with Consolidated, i3 will be providing its Mood set-tops and residential gateways when the carrier launches IP video in early 2005.