Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) is developing its first Humax-built IP set-top that integrates the Reference Design Kit (RDK) platform and features TWC's cloud navigator. The operator expects to deploy the new box into "select markets" by the end of 2014.
According to a TWC release, the navigator consists of a new HTML 5 cloud-based guide designed to give customers a "more modern" experience via better search capabilities and bulked up program information.
The RDK is administered by RDK Management, a joint venture started by Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable and later joined by Liberty Global. TWC's deployment is a first step for the MSO as the joint venture works within the vendor community to formalize a standardized software bundle that provides a common framework for powering CPE equipment such as set-top boxes, gateways and converged devices, and accelerates the deployment of next generation video products and services through transparently developed device subcomponents.
The RDK is available free for licensees, and RDK community member companies are encouraged to contribute software changes and enhancements to the RDK stack.
"The RDK continues to evolve thanks to the collaboration and joint efforts of the RDK community," said Matthew Zelesko, TWC's senior vice president of the converged technology group, promising to "work together (with the RDK community) to enhance it as a strategic platform for next generation set-top boxes and devices."
For more:
- see this press release
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Corrected April 15 to clarify cloud navigator information.