NTL and Microsoft mount UK datacasting trial

11th Jun 2004

• Long-term trial of broadcast multimedia delivery using DVB and DAB
• Hand-held and fixed reception with ‘sync-and go' file sharing
• Digital Rights Management to help protect content

NTL's Broadcast division and Microsoft Corp. have mounted a long-term industry trial of multimedia datacasting in and around Cambridge.  The trial demonstrates the capabilities of terrestrial DAB and DVB broadcasting platforms for delivering video, audio and text-based information services to mobile devices.

The trial includes a mixture of live 'streamed' audio and video for fixed, mobile and handheld reception and data file transfer for video clips, audio compilations, images and web pages.  A broad range of content, from sports to documentaries, can be delivered directly to mobile devices or through ‘sync-and-go' file sharing with a PC.  In addition, a voting application illustrates how end users can interact with a broadcaster or a content provider using a mobile phone return path.

The IP-based technology is a real-world implementation of demonstrations given at the NAB and IBC broadcast industry exhibitions last year and makes full use of the compression efficiencies of Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series.  The trial is also using the latest version of Windows Media Digital Rights Management, enabling content to be delivered more securely to mobile devices.

An NTL transmitter at Milton near Cambridge broadcasts DVB-T and DAB data-streams that can be received by fixed roof-top antennas, mobile or hand-held devices over a wide area.  Content originated by ITV, British Eurosport, Capital Radio and VisionRadio is processed at NTL Broadcast's main offices at Crawley Court near Winchester and is delivered to the transmitter via the ntl fibre network. 

New business models in datacasting are likely to involve a relationship with mobile telephone operators, as NTL's head of media business development Terry Howard explains:  "Using the broadcast network to deliver one-to-many content while the mobile operator provides one-to-one connection plays to the strengths of both parties.  In addition the broadcasters have the content while the mobile operators provide the interactive return path and the all-important customer/billing relationship.  Handset manufacturers are beginning to produce integrated devices with colour screens and DVB/DAB receivers."

Erin Cullen, lead product manager in the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft, commented: "We're very excited to expand our research with NTL, working alongside leading content owners, technology companies and broadcasters in the UK.  This trial is designed to reveal more about potential content delivery models using the compression capabilities of Windows Media 9 Series in conjunction with standards-based DAB and DVB networks. Ultimately, this research will help a wider range of consumers enjoy digital content by making it available on demand to low-cost mobile devices."

In mounting the trial, NTL and Microsoft acknowledge the generous assistance of the following organisations: British Eurosport, Capital Radio, Imagination Technologies, ITV; MobileInvent, RadioScape, Rohde & Schwarz, SkyStream, TANDBERG Television, UBS, Unique Interactive and VisionRadio.

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