Browser interfaces videophone set top box

Taiwanese manufacturer of high-performance videocommunications solutions Leadtek has licensed the ANT Fresco browser as an integrated component of its next-generation broadband videophone set top box.

Taiwanese manufacturer of high-performance videocommunications solutions Leadtek has licensed the ANT Fresco browser as an integrated component of its next-generation broadband videophone set top box (STB) unit, BVP 8756, targeted at telcos and ISPs in Asia, Europe and the USA.

The new Leadtek videophone will be available for all IP-based networks including Ethernet and DSL.

It offers the user the ability to see the person they are talking to and also to be seen.

In addition, the new product will be capable of delivering online services and content to subscribers' homes.

A major Italian ISP is lined up as Leadtek's first customer for the new unit, with an expected shipping date of September this year.

Leadtek has included ANT's browser technology to enable telco and ISP customers to provide their own bespoke online services and content to their domestic and commercial broadband subscribers, offering additional revenue streams for the operators.

In addition, ANT Fresco's user interface toolkit will enable service operators to create customised user interface navigation, to reflect their own service branding.

"ANT has developed an excellent reputation in the TV over IP space, with product deployments around the world, and has become the browser of choice for broadband applications", said James Yang, Chief Engineer for Leadtek.

"We needed a streamlined TV browser that could be cost-effectively and quickly integrated into our videophone product, but without compromising functionality.

Also, ANT's user interface toolkit offers our customers the ability to create their own unique user interface and menu system to deliver branded services and content to their subscribers".

"It is very exciting for us to be working with Leadtek on such an innovative development", said Rhys Grossman, Senior Vice President, Business Development for ANT.

"By including ANT Fresco, Leadtek's unique STB videophone presents a very powerful opportunity for broadband service operators to deliver new services and content, alongside videophone and digital television functionality, to their subscribers".

The new Leadtek videophone STB unit, BVP 8756, enables users to make and receive video calls.

The user plugs their touchtone phone into the Leadtek device, which has a built-in camera and microphone, and is itself then connected to the television set.

The user-friendly on-screen menu for the videophone and STB functionality can be operated via the telephone touchtone keypad or a remote control handset.

The versatile ANT browser software is able to make access to any additional Internet services easy and user friendly.

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