Cable TV companies are developing new set top boxes. They are putting out next-generation set top boxes to enhance their services by converging them with IP (Internet Protocol) and applying AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies.
Seokyung Cable Television became the first cable TV company to develop hybrid set top box that converges cable network (RF (Radio Frequency) network) and IP network and commercialized it this month. It also started delivering UHD broadcasting.
Main function of this new set top box is to deliver cable TV broadcasting, which used to be delivered through RF network, through IP network.
Despite RF network’s safety, its capacity is limited. There were clear limitations such as having to lower quality of current broadcasting due to increase in number of services such as UHD and VoD (Video on Demand) that require large capacity.
Seokyung Cable Television overcame limitation in capacity by converging RF network and IP network. While RF network delivers major channels with high ratings, rest of real-time broadcasting and VoD are delivered through IP network.
Seokyung Cable Television provides stable IP services through FTTx-based (Fiber To The x) network.
Seokyung Cable Television established Cloud environment, which is based on HTML5, for UI (User Interface) and services. By doing so, it is now able to shorten duration for development of new services and minimize investment.
“We are going to provide services such as voice search, AI-based personalized services, and CUG (Closed User group, customized service that provides related contents to members of particular groups) in the future.” said a representative for Seokyung Cable Television. “We are also planning to develop services for B2B customers.”
CMB is currently preparing customized services that are based on Naver’s AI platform called ‘Clova’.
“We are planning to expand our services towards TV screen and customized advertisements that use Big Data and IoT solutions by working with Cloud UI developers.” said a representative for CMB. “We are going to prepare Clova-based customized AI services in the future.”
CJ HelloVision is also planning to introduce UHD set top box that is applied with AI technologies early next year.
CJ HelloVision released Smart Set Top Box called ‘Hello TV UHD RED’ that allows scheduled recording of UHD broadcasting possible. This set top box is applied with Google Android TV OS (Operating System) called ‘Nougat’. CJ HelloVision is planning to apply Google assistant-based voice recognition AI early next year.
“Sales from broadcasting license fee take up the most out of entire sales for cable TV companies.” said a representative for a cable TV company. “Because cable TV companies can prevent their customers from leaving and expect profits from advertisements only if they provide customized services by using new technologies, they are going to accelerate their research for developing new set top boxes.”
Staff Reporter Kim, Jihye | jihye@etnews.com