Panasonic, CableLabs Sign OCAP Deal

Panasonic has signed an agreement with CableLabs that allows the electronics manufacturer to implement OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) middleware on digital devices. The two-way agreement--CableCARD, Host Interface Licensing Agreement (CHILA)--enables cable-ready digital TVs, set-top boxes and other consumer

Author:: TVTechnology
Publish date:: Mar 17, 2005

Panasonic has signed an agreement with CableLabs that allows the electronics manufacturer to implement OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) middleware on digital devices.

The two-way agreement--CableCARD, Host Interface Licensing Agreement (CHILA)--enables cable-ready digital TVs, set-top boxes and other consumer products to have interactive program guides and VOD services delivered by cable operators.

"We are eagerly looking forward to bringing a full range of Panasonic fully interactive, two-way digital cable products to market," said Paul Liao, chief technology officer for Panasonic.

First OCAP transmission for STARZ promo image

OCAP is a middleware software layer specification developed by CableLabs

Participating companies tested their products and met with cable operators who toured through the laboratory and viewed the OpenCable devices and applications.

Panasonic has signed a POD-Host Interface License Agreement (PHILA) that allows it to build consumer DTV sets that can receive high and standard definition digital cable programming through a cable-company provided plug-in security module.

Regulatory and Standards

Fourteen companies have so far participated in Cable Television Laboratories Inc.'s request for proposal (RFP) on industry implementation of its OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP). OCAP is a middleware system for advanced interactive OpenCable host devices, including set-top boxes and integrated DTVs. The RFP was

Regulatory and Standards

Starz! recently broadcast a satellite transmission of an OpenCable applications platform (OCAP) embedded into its television channel. CableLabs--the cable industry consortium that developed the OCAP technology--downlinked and verified the broadcast. Using OCAP, Starz displayed an interactive guide, listing what's "On

Consumers will soon be enjoying integrated digital devices for advanced interactive services provided by cable system operators.

Twenty-eights firms recently demo-ed interoperability on the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) and eTV at a recent CableLabs event. Osmosys, Panasonic R&D Company of America; Samsung Electronics, NDS, LG Electronics, ADB; Pioneer Research USA, Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta all demonstrated production-intent

Microsoft and CableLabs have reached an agreement to allow Microsoft and PC manufacturers to produce cable TV-ready Windows Media Center-based computers in time for the holiday selling season a year from now. The Media Center PCs would be configured to support CableCard modules that would permit one-way cabl