HbbTV Extends Logo Licensing to Consumer Devices

GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing an open standard for the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes, today announced that it will license the HbbTV Logo to consumer electronics manufacturers. Any vendor selling an HbbTV device is now able to use the Logo on their device to indicate compatibility with the standard in addition to printed and Web-based promotional materials.

"Using the HbbTV Logo is an excellent way for consumer device manufacturers to demonstrate HbbTV certification and interoperability," said Klaus Illgner, chairman, HbbTV Association. "As the standard continues to gain momentum around the world, our Logo will become more familiar to consumers enjoying a connected television experience based on HbbTV - including compelling catch up TV, news apps, and other innovative services."

Prior to receiving approval to use the HbbTV Logo, the HbbTV devices must pass the HbbTV Association's Test Suite in order to verify compatibility. The certification process provides flexibility to HbbTV device manufactures by providing them with two approaches to verify compliancy: through self-testing or at a registered Test Center.

A Certification Body from HbbTV will periodically test HbbTV devices available in the market to ensure that they comply with the applicable specifications. If an individual believes that an HbbTV device carrying the HbbTV Logo doesn't adhere to the HbbTV standard, a complaint can be registered with the Certification Body and an investigation will be conducted.

The HbbTV standard provides the industry with an open and business-neutral technology platform that seamlessly combines TV services delivered via broadcast with services delivered via broadband, in addition to enabling access to Internet-only services on connected TVs and set-top boxes.

The standard is already deployed in various European countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and a large majority of all connected TV sets sold in Western Europe implements the HbbTV standard. There are currently more than 5 million active HbbTV receivers globally with the potential to reach over 110 million homes in those countries. Future HbbTV deployments have also been announced in Europe, Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The HbbTV standard is also rapidly gaining additional supporters all around the world including the Americas and Asia.

More information is available at www.hbbtv.org.

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About HbbTV (www.hbbtv.org)
Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV or "HbbTV" is a major global initiative aimed at harmonising the broadcast and broadband delivery of entertainment services to the end consumer through connected TVs and set‐top boxes. The HbbTV specification was developed by industry leaders to effectively manage the rapidly increasing amount of available content targeted at today's end consumer. It is based on elements of existing specifications including OIPF (Open IPTV Forum), CEA, DVB, and W3C.

SOURCE: ESPIAL GROUP