DirecTV Field-Tests “Receiver-Less’ Multi-TV Solution

Field tests of DirecTV’s Home Media Center now are underway, with the operator aiming at marketing a “receiver-less” solution to subscribers who have multiple TVs in the home.

What’s running the project is DirecTV’s Model HR34 RVU-enabled server, which the carrier says “marks a major milestone both for the RVU technology and the new DIRECTV platform.” The HR34 will be compatible with RVU-certified clients, including DirecTV’s C30 Home Media Clients and RVU-compatible televisions; RVU certification for these products could be finalized next month. Commercial rollout of the home media center is planned for sometime in October.

According to DirectTV, RVU is a client/server-based technology that allows viewers to “experience a consistent, pixel accurate server-generated user interface on various consumer electronics devices.” The spec uses UPnP and DLNA technologies that enable gateway devices to work with non-proprietary client devices (i.e., connected TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes).

“The DIRECTV Home Media Center is going to simplify the way our customers watch television throughout their homes and give them access not only to their favorite content in HD and DVR functionality on each television, but to a consistent, feature rich user interface, no matter what room they are in,” notes Romulo Pontual, executive vice president/CTO. “We made a commitment to RVU technology when we joined the RVU Alliance in 2009, and we are excited to see the fruits of the Alliance’s labor becoming a reality with the launch of our DIRECTV Home Media Center field trial.”