Acorn, Digital, Ericsson, and Oracle have announced a deal that will bring, among other services centered around the Web, streaming Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network.

The system, which was jointly developed by the companies, will allow subscribers to interactively search, select, and view a range of "infotainment" services, including news, movies, information, and educational programs using Internet technology.

The companies say the system will be able to deliver a variety of services into the home in a "cost-effective manner" using a single interface adapter. As a result, there will be no need for different access boxes for each service.

The system uses Acorn set-top boxes and Oracle software. The companies claim that the infrastructure, "combining Web access with mass market TV distribution," supports "cost-effective delivery of high-dedicated bandwidth Internet services to homes and businesses."

Under the system, Acorn set-top boxes will be used by subscribers to access the Internet. They allow users to search content, including video material, from Web-based menus.

When a movie is selected, the video will stream from Digital AlphaServer systems running Oracle's Video Server software through the Ericsson network infrastructure to the Acorn set-top boxes for display on subscribers' televisions. The Ericsson Multi Service ANx access network is designed to work with multiple network topologies. The Acorn set-top box (STB22) provides access to video in the home.

Ericsson says its ANx system is a "complete end-to-end ATM-based access system designed to provide multiple services to residential and small business users, simultaneously."

Said Doug Smith, manager of Digital's media business segment: "Digital and Oracle have taken advantage of Ericsson's ATM technology to create video-based services that can run without modification over both hybrid fiber-coax and ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber line) networks. Ericsson's ANx multi-service access system clears the way for telcos and cable TV operators to offer high- speed Internet and video services to their subscribers."

A spokesman for the companies said that there is no date yet for when the services will be available, although they should be offered internationally, "wherever Acorn has representatives."

Microsoft's recent $1 billion investment in Comcast is an indication to many observers that high-speed Internet access with television-quality video and high-quality audio is a goal of many major Internet companies.

Said Microsoft's Bill Gates at the time, "Our vision for connecting the world of PCs and TVs has long included advanced broadband capabilities to deliver video, data, and interactivity to the home." Comcast's integrated approach to cable distribution, programming, and telecommunications complements that vision of linking PCs and TVs."

Yeah, right Bill.

Source: Newsbytes