Microsoft Announces IPTV Initiatives

Microsoft and Harmonic have collaborated to deliver an integrated IP-based video system.

The joint effort incorporates Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform with Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Harmonic's DiviCom encoding platform. The companies plan to offer TV services over xDSL and other IP-based networks.

The DiviCom MV 100 delivers compression efficiencies and video quality encoding for MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC and SMPTE-VC-1 and has been deployed by telco, cable, satellite and terrestrial broadcasters since 2003.

Encoders by Scientific-Atlanta will also be compatible with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform, enabling broadband network operators to use the companies' products to offer live and on-demand TV programming at low data rates.