London – March 19, 2013 – TV Connect stand 167– Edgeware, the technology leader in distributed video delivery, today announced the latest IPTV version of its Distributed Video Delivery Network (D-VDN) Solution. The most recent edition includes exciting new features to enable control and streaming between existing set-top boxes (STBs) and new “companion apps” for second-screen devices, such as mobiles or tablets. Examples include remote control of the STB, scheduling network PVR recordings and streaming between the STB and a second screen. Significantly, these additional services can now be added without the major disruption and cost of having to completely change the video format.

The Edgeware D-VDN Solution is now equipped with features to enable service providers to defer these investments but still rapidly respond to the demand for companion apps. A simple software upgrade enables delivery of all existing IPTV content and services to STBs in so-called “routed mode” enabling full interaction with other devices on the home network.

“This technology allows services providers to break the constraints of their existing IPTV delivery network,” said Göran Appelquist, CTO, Edgeware. “Operators now have the flexibility to focus on quickly adding compelling apps rather than re-engineering their entire service.”

Research has shown a high percentage of consumers use second-screens when viewing TV and video services. Content and service providers are therefore creating companion apps to complement the viewing experience and monetize this behavior. However, existing STBs are almost always connected to a private IP network, which is separated from the general, broadband infrastructure. This enables control of the quality needed for delivery of pay TV services but it also prevents interaction between the STB and other devices in the home. These are normally connected to a home gateway to enable them to share a single broadband connection. A simple solution is to also connect the STB to the home gateway in so-called “routed mode.” However, the protocols used for existing IPTV services are incompatible with this mode, forcing the service provider to consider changing the delivery formats used.

Strategically, most providers are looking to make this change in the future in order to deliver their full line-up of services directly to these additional devices for true-TV Everywhere experiences. This however requires investment in costly new transcoding, re-packaging and encryption equipment. Any existing video on demand (VOD) or recorded assets will also need to be converted and this can be a costly and time-consuming process for large libraries.

Full support for routed mode in the Edgeware D-VDN Solution for nPVR, start-over TV, pause live TV, catch-up TV and VOD services immediately enables new interactive, companion-screen applications without any additional infrastructure costs or conversion delays.

Meet Edgeware at stand 167 at TV Connect in London, March 19-21, 2013.

About Edgeware
Edgeware is the technology leader in distributed video delivery networks, designed to allow operators to monetize video services such as video on demand (VOD), time shift TV and network Personal Video Recorder (nPVR), as well as offering wholesale Content Delivery Networking (CDN) management services. Edgeware provides the video delivery systems needed to offer video services across managed and unmanaged networks, with the ability to reach any screen, at any time, with any content. Edgeware is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with a U.S. office in Boxborough, Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.edgeware.tv.