Philips solution for TV and IP content delivery launched

Philips are set to launch a system for cable and telecommunications operators at NAB which is designed to accelerate the convergence of traditional broadcasting and Internet Protocol (IP) content delivery.
iFusion provides networks with an end-to-end software-based solution for delivering content services to consumers such as on-demand high-quality digital video, broadband Internet access, telephony services and interactive online applications.
Philips hope that iFusion’s scalability and versatility will allow operators to deliver the 'triple-play' combination of broadcast, Internet and voice-over-IP services over a single broad pipeline. This will enable networks to exploit their existing infrastructures in a highly cost-effective way, opening up significant new business opportunities and revenue streams in the process.
"iFusion is an excellent proof point of Philips’ overall competency in digital video distribution and broadband content connectivity," said Han van Driel, General Manager of Philips Digital Transmission Systems.
"As traditional broadcasting and IP delivery inevitably converge, iFusion will provide a dynamic end-to-end solution for delivering content on both platforms, without networks having to make a difficult strategic choices between the two, while at the same time dramatically increasing operators’ ability to offer compelling, revenue-generating services."
As a software application running on a standard hardware platform, iFusion enables speedy installation and can be upgraded easily. iFusion’s ‘drag and drop’ functionality will allow operators to simplify all head-end tasks, from configuration to creating transport streams, while at the same time ensuring fail-safe reliability for high-quality, uninterrupted services.
iFusion will provide Philips customers with a ‘fit-for-use, pay-for-use’ solution that directly addresses the needs of today’s highly competitive markets.
In particular, iFusion will provide both broadband and multi-output multiplexing, supporting up to 24 logical inputs and three outputs at a maximum data rate of 160 Mbits per second.
Royal Philips Electronics is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of €32.3 billion in 2001. Its 189,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems.
Royal Philips Electronics, www.philips.com
(GMcG)