What is digital TV middleware?

Steve Morris
steve.morris@mhp-interactive.org

Copyright

Downloaded from

What is middleware?

Middleware is a software layer that sites on top of (or instead of) the
OS in an STB

It allows a content developers to work without having to consider

low-level issues for an STB
Drivers, Operating System, etc.

This makes it easier to write complex applications

Copyright

Downloaded from

What is middleware?

Middleware runs between the device drovers/OS and the

application
Literally in the middle of the software stack
Application

Application

Application

Application

Middleware
RTOS

CA System

Device drivers
STB hardware

Copyright

Downloaded from

Why use middleware?

Makes it easier to write complex applications

Allows portability across hardware and operating systems

Applications will run on any platform the middleware has been ported to
The application developer doesnt need to consider the OS/hardware in every
STB the application will run on

Makes it easier for third parties to write applications

Only need to learn about a few middleware platforms
More abstraction makes learning easier

Copyright

Downloaded from

Types of middleware

Proprietary middleware
Designed by a single company
Licensed to STB manufacturers
Most common in pay TV

Open middleware

Standardised by an industry body

Can be implemented by anyone
Licensing fee is usually small
More commonly used in free TV
e.g. MHEG in UK terrestrial market

Copyright

Downloaded from

Proprietary middleware examples

OpenTV Core (OpenTV)

the Microsoft of iTV middleware

70% market share

MediaHighway (Canal+)
Microsoft TV (Microsoft)
Liberate
PowerTV
NDS Core (NDS)

Copyright

Downloaded from

Open middleware examples

MHEG
DAVIC

MHP

Open standard for US cable market

Based on MHP

ACAP

Open middleware standard from DVB

Broad industry support
Used as basis for other standards

OCAP

MHEG + Java

ATSCs middleware based on MHP

ARIB B23
JavaTV

Copyright

Downloaded from

So what does it do?

All middleware offers the same basic features

Hides the hardware/OS layer from an application and provides a set

of commonly used functions
Abstracts over complex hardware and software functions
Provides a more natural environment for developers
Allows the use of pre-built components
E.g web browsers, graphics support

Offers better software tools

E.g. more choice of programming language

Copyright

Downloaded from

Services the middleware offers

An application model

MPEG decoder/demux access

Graphics display
Access to multiple video planes
Access to graphics/video integration features

Service information access

User input (via RCU or keyboard)
Supports a standard input model and key codes

Access to the return channel (TCP/IP)

Modem or broadband

Memory management

Copyright

Downloaded from

Services the middleware offers

Software development environment

Usually C/C++ or Java
Sometimes other languages
Possibly proprietary scripting languages

HTML may be supported

More complex features

Internationalisation
Web browsing & internet access

May be offered as a core part of the middleware or as an additional

option
To reduce cost and space

Copyright

Downloaded from

Problems with closed middleware

Too many different middleware vendors

Different markets use different middleware

Content must be developed repeatedly for different customers
Content cant be re-sold
This limits the total size of the market

Licensing costs are quite high

~US$10 per box for OpenTV, for example
This increases STB costs

Copyright

Downloaded from

The next challenges

How do we grow the market?

This is why open standards are so popular
STBs can be treated more like VCRs
Transition from vertical to horizontal markets

Allows current big players a smaller piece of a much larger market

Getting true interactivity

We dont have this yet
Requires advanced features
Not popular in a bad economic environment

Too expensive and no proven business model

But we are making progress, e.g. BSkyB in the UK

Copyright

Downloaded from

Will open middleware really take off?

No-one knows yet

Many companies support it
Including some proprietary middleware vendors
See it as a chance to grow the overall market

Allows the entire industry to change its business model

From vertical to horizontal markets
Sell STBs through retail outlets
Less exposure for network operators

Allow customers more choice

Move from one operator to another without replacing your STB
Add more features to an STB, e.g. PVR, games console, broadband gateway

Copyright

Downloaded from

Questions?

For more information:

http://www.mhp.org
http://www.interactivetvweb.org
Interactive TV standards, S. Morris & A. Smith-Chaigneau
(Pub. Focal Press, ISBN 0240806662 )

Copyright

Copyright Steven Morris 2002.

All rights reserved.

Downloaded from