3 Screen Solutions (3SS), a provider of software solutions for set-top boxes (STBs) and multiscreen entertainment, has supported Austria’s national broadcasting service provider ORS on the launch of three smart TV apps for its new simpliTV service. Built on a hybrid approach by having the apps available live, it can deliver a big-screen viewer experience via DVB-T2, SVB-S2, and OTT for Samsung Tizen and Android TV owners.
These apps enable switching between DVB-T2 live TV to time-shift via streaming.
As a result, the new 3SS-engineered app unifies all three simpliTV services – simpliTV Antenne (ORS’ original over-the-air service launched in 2013), alongside simpliTV SAT and simpliTV Streaming. Powered by 3SS’ 3READY Product Framework, the apps can automatically build channel line-ups displayed in the new user interface (UI) in accordance with regional availability of over-the-air digital terrestrial services.
The hybrid configuration also met ORS’ objectives to provide quality viewing experience (QoE) and maximum Internet bandwidth efficiency for subscribers. Both are achieved through dynamic offloading of live TV onto broadcast technology.
ORS’ goal is that its new simpliTV smart TV experiences serve to complement its existing Fire TV and web apps, and its apps for Android and iOS mobile devices.
“We needed to create a new way of watching TV to meet the ever-higher expectations of many of today’s consumers, including streaming enthusiasts; we wanted to broaden our audience in this way while continuing to embrace our many viewers who prefer a more traditional TV experience,” explained Thomas Langsenlehner, CEO of Simpli Services.
“It was important to us to enrich the classic, linear broadcast big-screen UX with features that streaming technology brings, such as catch-up, time-shift, and network PVR, and to deliver it all to viewers in one attractive, easy-to-navigate app.”