Product category: Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Ocean Blue | Subject: Freesat platform
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 12 December 2005

HD software suite is
ready for Freesat service

Ocean Blue Software, the specialist digital TV software developer, has released its platform for the upcoming DVB-S Freesat satellite service

The software includes support for high definition television and for a possible back channel via modem. Inside a set top box. Ocean Blue's software will find its way into a new generation of Freesat TVs and set-top boxes, including dual- and quad-tuner DVRs (digital video recorders). Ocean Blue's product platform for Freesat includes Sunrise, a foundation suite of software products for digital TV receiver products, and Voyager, the middleware system to provide interactivity based on MHEG-5 and DSM-CC.

Ocean Blue will support MHEG-5 V1.06 is a current development, which will be available in 2006, in line with the BBC's proposed interactive services, to be launched in time for the World Cup next summer.

Ocean Blue is already working with a number of leading consumer electronics manufacturers, who are bringing Freesat products to market.

Ocean Blue software includes support for HD television broadcasts.

UK broadcasters will start to roll out HDTV channels in 2006 in a move that will transform the way we watch TV.

The current grainy TV image will be surpassed by something that looks like 70mm film.

Freesat will appeal to the 25% of the UK population that live in poor reception areas for digital terrestrial (Freeview) signals.

The service is already being broadcast and carries all the BBC TV channels including BBC1, 2, 3, 4, CBBC, Cbeebies and BBC News24.

The BBC's radio channels are also available, including Radios 1 to 7.

ITV services, including ITV1, 2, 3 and 4 and Men and Motors will become available shortly, as will many more channels when Freesat officially launches early in 2006.

'Freesat will be the satellite equivalent of Freeview', said Ken Helps, Managing Director of Ocean Blue.

'This service is already broadcasting and so free digital TV is now available to all UK households including the 25% who are outside Freeview's area'.

'All UK consumers with a Freesat tuner can now enjoy many digital channels, and maybe interactivity via a phone line'.

'Ocean Blue aims to be involved with the significant hardware suppliers to allow them deliver innovative products, quickly and easily', added Helps.

Ocean Blue's Voyager software system MHEG-5 and DSM-CC is the result of a more than 10 man-year development project and is fully tested and in production.

The MHEG-5 and DSM-CC software was developed in the standard C programming language and is thus portable to many different operating systems and hardware computing platforms.

Ocean Blue's Sunrise is a suite of integrated software products, which provides all the functionality for receiving digital video and audio on digital set top boxes and televisions.

Ocean Blue's Surfsoft system software is used to on-screen manage and control TV content that has been saved on a hard disk-based digital TV device.

Surfsoft's many features and functions include time shift, trick modes, search, retrieve, save, record, timed recording and pause.

• Ocean Blue: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Electronicstalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Electronicstalk newsletter
Electronicstalk Home  |   About Electronicstalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2007 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK