The latest happenings from around the world of IPTV

Vizrt advances on Escenic purchase
Vizrt has announced the signature of a heads of agreement to purchase content management and Web publishing company Escenic.

This integration allows journalists and editors to search and add video content to online articles directly from Escenic’s content management system interface. The integration offers online publishers the tools to establish professional video content handling.

For more information, visit: www.vizrt.com and www.escenic.com.

Cox Communications, Concurrent ink master purchase deal
Cox Communications has completed a Master Purchase Agreement to deploy Concurrent MediaHawk 4500 VOD servers across Cox’s entire VOD-enabled subscriber base.

The multi-year agreement will let Cox standardize on the Concurrent MediaHawk Content Delivery System across all Cox markets. Concurrent’s MediaHawk 4500 will replace other server brands and be integrated with SeaChange’s AXIOM back office.

For more information, visit: www.ccur.com.

Thomson SmartVision IPTV receives award
The Thomson SmartVision IPTV service platform was recognized in late March with the Best IPTV platform/middleware/application award during the IPTV World Series Awards 2008.

The awards presentation took place as part of the IPTV World Forum, held March 25-27 in London.

For more information, visit: http://www.thomson-nis.com/.

ODG deploys ConSentry intelligent switch
Video on demand and pay-per-view television operator On Demand Group (ODG), a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaChange International, has deployed the ConSentry Networks LANShield Switch platform.

ConSentry’s intelligent switch provides integrated user and application controls and granular network visibility of all branch-office user activity within ODG.

For more information, visit: www.consentry.com.

MLBAM turns to Inlet Spinnaker
This baseball season, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet arm of Major League Baseball, will use Inlet Technologies’ Spinnaker solution to produce broadcast-quality streaming video for MLB.TV’s live out-of-market game broadcasts.

For more information, visit: www.inlethd.com.

Bell to steer CodecSys
Broadcast International has appointed Ron Bell as senior VP and general manager of its CodecSys Division.

Bell was involved in the evolution of the UNIX operating system while serving as the general manager of the UNIX Systems Group at Unisys and later as its chief technology officer. Most recently, Bell served as CTO at MathStar in Hillsboro, OR, as well as at Micro Linear in San Jose, CA.

For more information, visit: www.brin.com and www.codecsys.com.