NDS Enables Hybrid Functionality for Astro B.yond Platform

- NDS MediaHighway set-top box software enables Astro service over IP in addition to DTH
- Astro deploys NDS Progressive Download technology to enable uninterrupted viewing of on-demand content

London, UK — June 21, 2011 – NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that their technologies are enabling hybrid functionality for the Astro B.yond platform from Astro, Malaysia’s leading cross-media group.

The new solution will provide Astro subscribers with access to the best of international and local content, delivered either over DTH, IP or hybrid mechanisms combining both IP and DTH.

NDS’ MediaHighway™ set-top box (STB) software is the enabling technology for the Astro B.yond platform. The future-proof nature of MediaHighway has enabled Astro to adapt and enhance their solution since deployment in 1999, including the introduction of interactive features and services and the recent launch of their video-on-demand service over IP.

To enable the delivery of the new Astro video-on-demand (VOD) service, NDS progressive download technology has been implemented in both the headend and through MediaHighway STB software. NDS progressive download facilitates the delivery of content over IP, addressing the issues associated with low bandwidth connections for uninterrupted viewing. Once enough content is delivered to the DVR, playback can commence – allowing for the remainder of the content to be delivered in background mode. For pure DTH boxes, VOD content is delivered via push mechanisms to the DVR ready for consumption.

Commenting on the implementation of their new hybrid features, Shahrul Sultan, Director of Consumer Technology at Astro added: “We consistently strive to provide our subscribers with best in class experience, and to do so we embrace the introduction of new technologies and additional delivery methods to ensure the optimum reach of our offering.” He continued, “Throughout the years NDS have enabled us to enhance our platform, whether through the provision of tools to enable us to introduce our own interactive applications or their flexibility to provide us with the necessary technologies to offer hybrid services such as VOD with progressive download.”

Astro have been at the forefront of pay television in Malaysia since launch in 1996, the platform currently has over 3 million subscribers and reaches over 50% of TV homes in the region. The Astro B.yond platform from Astro is protected by NDS’ VideoGuard™ Conditional Access (CA) and utilises NDS DVR technology with a customised electronic programme guide based on the NDS EPG Framework.

NDS Senior Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific, Sue Taylor, commented: “It is a pleasure for NDS to be involved in the innovative services offered by Astro B.yond and to assist in extending their technological vision. This will give far greater convenience and choice to their subscribers.”

About Astro Malaysia
Astro Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd is Malaysia’s leading integrated cross-media group with operations in 4 key businesses: Pay TV, Radio, Content and Digital. Launched in 1996, Astro today has a 50% penetration of TV homes in Malaysia or 3 million customers, making it a key pay TV operator in Southeast Asia. Astro broadcasts over 140 channels, of which 12 are in HD, is a leading edge innovator with its introduction of HD, 3D and PVR – a first in Malaysia, and also Video On Demand and IPTV service. It is the leading aggregator, creator and distributor of original multi-language content of various genres across multi-channels. Its radio network both terrestrial and digital covers all key languages cumulatively reaching 11.5 million listeners a week and ranked among the top 10 stations in the country. Its digital arm involved in digital publishing, applications and platforms as well as publication of entertainment and lifestyle magazines locally.
Visit http://www.astro.com.my/

About NDS
NDS Group Ltd. creates the technologies and applications that enable pay-TV operators to securely deliver digital content to TV STBs (set-top boxes), DVRs (digital video recorders), PCs, mobiles and other multimedia devices. Over 80 of the world’s leading pay-TV platforms rely on NDS solutions to protect and enhance their businesses. VideoGuard® is the world’s market-leading conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technology, currently deployed on 150 million active devices, and safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $50 billion. NDS middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 180 million devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the global industry with 38 million units deployed. (Deployment figures as of 31st March 2011).

Headquartered in the UK, NDS remains committed to investing in R&D with over 75% of its employees dedicated to pioneering work at development centres in China, France, India, Israel, Korea, UK and US. NDS has also implemented a host of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and helping digital TV subscribers reduce energy consumption.

NDS Group Ltd. is a private company owned by the Permira Funds and News Corporation. See www.nds.com for more information.

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NDS Group Ltd.
One London Road / Staines
GB-TW18 4EX Middlesex
www.nds.com
Amy Lucas
Corporate Communications
T: +44 20 8476 8243
alucas@nds.com

Susbauer PR for NDS
Ansgar Gerber
Managing Partner
T: +49 40 3990 6357
a.gerber@susbauer.de

This release was published on openPR.