MHPVortrag1199Englis..

The MultiMedia Home Platform (MHP):
Hype or Reality ?
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
The DVB Project has Defined Three Phases of
Technical Development:
• In Phase 1 all technologies relevant to the broadcast channel
via cable, MMDS, satellite and terrestrial transmitters have
been developed and standardised. All relevant infrastucture
standards have been devised.
• In Phase 2 all required return and interaction channels have
been defined. Solutions exist for interaction channels via
telephone, cordless telephone (DECT), mobile telephone
(GSM), cable, LMDS, satellite. The standard for Data
Broadcasting was created.
• In Phase 3 we are currently finalising the software system
called Multimedia Home Platform
• Tell us what technical system you need: We probably have it
already
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
The Uses of DVB - a Scenario
TV Receiver
Multimedia PC
Multichannel
Microwave
Distribution
System (MMDS)
Satellite
Cable / (S)MATV Integrated Receiver
Decoder (IRD)
Terrestrial
Reception
Broadcast
B-ISDN
ADSL etc.
Interactivity
DVD etc.
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
DVC etc.
U. Reimers
The World of Digital Television
DVB-S
DVB-C
DVB-S
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
ATSC
CableLabs
DSS
DVB-S
DVB-C
DVB-S
DVB-C
DVB-T
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Multimedia ?
DVB
Platform
Home !
Whatever you may think about the role of the DVB Project:
we do not consider it our task to define a platform on which
Multimedia devices can be stored in the home.
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
• The Multimedia Home Platform consists of a user terminal
including all possible low- to high- functionality
implementations, its associated peripherals, and the in-home
digital network.
• The MHP solution encompasses the whole set of technologies
necessary to implement the MHP including protocols, common
languages (API), interfaces, and recommendations.
• The MHP supports several levels of interactive services /
applications. These are defined as:
• Enhanced broadcasting (including local interactivity)
• Interactive broadcasting (using a return channel)
• Internet access
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
• An Application Programming Interface (API) is used in a
terminal device to implement certain functionalities that
allow hardware-independent development of content and
applications. It allows differentiation in terms of the
capabilities of the end user platform.
• The Navigator is the basic user-interface of a terminal device
used in the enhanced broadcasting mode. It is defined by the
manufacturer of the terminal device. Each MHP provides a
Navigator.
• The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is the higher-level
consumer navigation device in the enhanced broadcasting
mode. It is an application which can be provided by different
parties and may be delivered via the broadcast channel.
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
The Problem of Vertical Integration
Applications Development
Applications Development
Service Provider
Service Provider
Conditional Access
Conditional Access
Network Provider
Network Provider
Consumer Electr. Manuf.
Consumer Electr. Manuf.
Vertical 1
Vertical 2
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
The MHP Solution Could Look Like This:
MHP-Applic. Development
MHP-Applic. Development
Service Provider 1
Service Provider 2
Conditional Access
Networkprovider
MHP-Manufacturer 1
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
MHP-Manufacturer 2
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Steps in the Development of the MHP
International Standard
Draft Standard
Working Draft
Time
First Working Draft
Request for Detailed Specification
Framework
Technical Requirements
Commercial Requirements
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Reference Model of the MHP
The architecture of the MHP is described by 3 layers:
Interoperable
Application 1
Interoperable
Application 2
Interoperable
Application 3
Interop.
Application
Library
Possible
Control
Application
API
System Software
Hardware and Software Resources
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
MHP based on a DVB Java Platform
Control
Application
(Navigator)
Interoperable Java Applications
“Core”
Java APIs
MHP API
“Digital TV”
Java APIs
Others ?
Java Virtual Machine
System Software (Operating System, Drivers, Firmware etc.)
Hardware-Ressources
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
MHP based on a DVB Java Platform
with “Plug-ins” for “Legacy Applications”
Control
Application
(Navigator)
Interoperable JavaApplications
“Core”
Java APIs
Legacy
Application A
MHP API
“Digital TV”
Java APIs
Java Virtual Machine
Plug-in A
Others ?
Legacy
Application B
Plug-in
B
System-Software (Operating System, Drivers, Firmware etc.)
Hardware-Ressources
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
The Working Draft of the MHP
• In July 1999 the Steering Board of the DVB Project approved the
“Working Draft of the MHP Specification”
• The “Working Draft” is the basis for the implementation of the “MHP @
Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 1999 in Berlin”
• For IFA 1999 several manufacturers (Nokia, Panasonic, Philips, Sony)
have developed MHP receiver prototypes
• EPGs, games and other applications have been developed by several
organisations
• The MHP concept has thus been demonstrated a few weeks ago
• A special exhibit at IBC 1999 was devoted to the MHP
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Partners
at IFA
1999
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
During IFA 1999 We Were Able to Exhibit:
Three Set-Top Boxes (from Panasonic, Philips and Sony) and one
PC-based solution (from Grundig)
Ten MHP-Applications from:
BBC (Digital Text, News Ticker)
Bertelsmann (Space Invaders)
Canal+ (World Clock)
IRT (News Ticker, ARD EPG, Tele Voting)
RAI (EPG)
RTL (EPG)
Sun/BBC (Top of the Pops)
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Example of a MHP-based Electronic Program Guide
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Structure of the Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The DVB Project
Multimedia Home Platform - some Terminology
The Process
Some Results
IFA 1999
From Here to There
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers
Conclusion
• The MHP is an open software environment of high
complexity
• The MHP specification will be complete by January 2000
• First MHP receivers and applications will become
available in the course of the year 2000
• The development of the MHP is an extremely complicated
process due to the mixture of technical, commercial and
political problems
• The MHP development is a team effort. EACEM plays an
important role as part of the team
Institut für Nachrichtentechnik
Technische Universität Braunschweig
U. Reimers