Tag: Set-Top Box

TiVo Targets Cord-Cutters with Old-School Antenna Technology

TiVo is looking to attract cord- cutters with an updated set-top box that enables users to bypass pay-TV through an over-the-air antenna.

The TiVo BOLT OTA is a premium, 4K Ultra High-Definition capable set-top box designed to work with HD antenna, equipped with an on-screen user experience that looks and feels like a high-end cable box.

The all-in-one home entertainment product aims to combine the features of TiVo’s legacy DVR with online streaming services. TiVo Bolt OTA allows consumers to record and watch free, over-the-air HD TV.

TiVo’s DVR includes four tuners to avoid recording conflicts and stores up to 150 hours of HD programming. They can skip entire commercial breaks on recorded programs and use voice-activated technology.

The set-top works with almost any HD antenna and television, enabling consumers to watch or record programming in HD using an antenna (sold separately), but without the cost of renting equipment from a pay-TV provider.

The set-top combines OTT video and over-the-air access, giving consumers access on one user interface to top streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.

Users can search live TV, recordings and popular streaming services to deliver personalized results. Plus, they can stream and download shows to their mobile devices, watch their favorite content on-the-go, or schedule recordings almost anywhere with the free TiVo app or add a TiVo Mini for a multi-room, whole-home TV solution.

“TiVo Bolt OTA is the perfect solution for a broad range of TV enthusiasts, including those considering cutting their cable TV subscription or those who might have cut the cord but are missing some programs that are only available via live TV,” Ted Malone, VP of consumer products and services, said in a statement.

TiVo estimates that cord-cutters and those who intend to cut service, represent 25% of the general pay-TV viewing population.

 

Cisco’s Former Video Software Biz Renamed ‘Synamedia’

A new video technology company named Synamedia has been formed from the recent sale of Cisco Systems’ Service Provider Video Software Solutions unit to investment firm Permira Funds.

“Syna” means “together” in Greek, reflecting Synamedia’s goal to empower broadcast, pay-TV and over-the-top video services to optimize their current infrastructure and capitalize on OTT distribution to expand consumer choice and convenience, secure revenue streams, and develop new offerings.

“From day one we will be the vendor with the ability to deliver products on a global scale while also offering the flexibility required for market localization,” Yves Padrines, incoming CEO for Synamedia, said in a statement.

Padrines is currently VP of Global Service Provider for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Cisco.

Synamedia will offer software for hybrid broadcast/IP services on multiple devices, including set-top boxes devices. Features will include an anti-piracy service for rapid detection of, and response to, illegal streaming. Other new offerings include “VideoGuard Everywhere” and “VideoGuard Server” support for Android devices.

“We will intensify our focus on innovation, building even closer links with our customers and ensuring that we continue to provide the world’s most complete, secure and advanced end-to-end video delivery solution,” Padrines said.

The company is also offering software it claims can reduce streaming latency on a STB down to six seconds – comparable to a live broadcast. This would be lower than traditional streaming technologies, where latency can be as high as 40 to 90 seconds for streaming video to receiving devices.

“Synamedia enters the market at a time when the TV landscape is being redrawn. Building on a 30-year heritage in the pay-TV industry, a market leadership position, and an unrivalled reputation for innovation, we will hit the ground running as a private, independent entity committed to help customers boost engagement and revenues by capitalizing on the myriad opportunities that IP distribution and cloud- based services bring,” said Dr. Abe Peled, incoming chairman of Synamedia.

FCC Commissioner Sends Letter Asking Amazon and eBay to Help Stop Sale of Fraudulent Set-Top Boxes

FCC commissioner Mike O’Reilly May 25 sent a letter to Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos and eBay president and CEO Devin Wenig asking them to help stop the sale of fraudulent set-top boxes, many of which can be used to illegally view content.

“I am writing because certain manufacturers of video television set-top boxes are either failing to comply with Federal Communications Commission equipment authorization requirements or falsely using FCC branding on their devices,” O’Reilly wrote. “Although sufficiently disturbing on its own, these devices are particularly problematic as they are perpetrating intellectual property theft and consumer fraud. While the Commission has obligations on our end to prevent unauthorized set-top boxes from being available no matter their use, I seek your partnership in helping to remove these illegal products from the stream of commerce.”

FCC logo

O’Reilly noted that manufacturers using the FCC logo have demonstrated compliance with the commission’s regulations and that the logo’s use is required to market products such as set-top boxes in the United States.

“Disturbingly, some rogue set-top box manufacturers and distributors are exploiting the FCC’s trusted logo by fraudulently placing it on devices that have not been approved via the Commission’s equipment authorization process,” O’Reilly wrote. “Specifically, nine set top box distributors were referred to the FCC in October for enabling the unlawful streaming of copyrighted material, seven of which displayed the FCC logo, although there was no record of such compliance. Many of these sellers are attempting to distribute their non-compliant products through online marketplaces such as yours. Although outside the jurisdiction of the Commission, it is equally troubling that many of these devices are being used to illegally stream copyrighted content, exacerbating the theft of billions of dollars in American innovation and creativity.”

While recognizing the eBay and Amazon have taken steps to remove devices marketed as facilitating piracy from their websites, he asked for “further cooperation in assisting the FCC in taking steps to eliminate non-FCC compliant devices or devices that fraudulently bear the FCC logo.”

He also noted that many of the devices contain “harmful malware.”

TiVo Leaving Legacy Set-Top Box Business

TiVo, which helped create the digital video recording business, May 10 revealed it is transferring manufacturing, sales and distribution of legacy set-top boxes to a third party.

The unnamed partner will be responsible for all TiVo product sales outside the company’s website, including Amazon and Best Buy, CEO Enrique Rodriguez said on a fiscal call.

“This quarter saw the last MSO hardware revenue as we completed fulfillment of orders made last year,” Rodriguez said. “Once we complete this transition, we still will have direct consumer hardware sales through TiVo.com which we will be fulfilling through this box manufacturer.”

The CEO said that future hardware sales would be facilitated through the partner, with TiVo acting as a distribution channel. The change should have little impact on consumers.

“Basically, the consumer will continue seeing a TiVo-branded device … with TiVo software that they have known over the years,” Rodriguez said.

He said Amazon and Best Buy are better suited to sell hardware than TiVo, which was acquired by Rovi Corp. in 2016, with Rovi assuming the TiVo corporate name.

“We’re very confident in [the partner’s] ability to succeed there,” Rodriguez said.

Indeed, TiVo generated the bulk of first-quarter (ended March 31) revenue ($189.8 million) from licensing, services and software ($186.1 million), with hardware generating $3.6 million. The tallies trailed year-over-year total revenue ($205.7 million), licensing, services and software ($190.5 million) and hardware ($15.2 million).

TiVo is also exiting so-called non-core revenue channels, including Legacy TiVo Time Warp IP deals, hardware and analog products. Indeed, non-core revenue declined $25.7 million in the quarter compared to the previous-year period.

Finally, TiVo cut its fiscal loss in half to $17.7 million from $34.6 million last year.