NDS Powers BSkyB’s HD Set-Top and Anytime+ VOD

BSkyB has deployed a customized implementation of NDS’ advanced set-top box software for its Sky+HD boxes and Anytime+ VOD service.

Sky Anytime+ complements the existing Sky Anytime push VOD service with a comprehensive catalog of on-demand content available to Sky Broadband customers. Using NDS set-top box software and end-to-end progressive download technology to power its on demand service, Sky is able to deliver VOD content over Sky’s own broadband network direct to the customer’s set-top box.

Once enough content is delivered to the DVR, playback can commence, allowing for the remainder of the content to be delivered in the background, thus ensuring a consistent and reliable customer experience.

Sky currently employs a number of technologies from NDS including VideoGuard Conditional Access (CA) and NDS XTV, the DVR technology underpinning Sky+, which allows customers to pause and record live TV.

The new Sky Anytime+ service is available to Sky customers with a Sky+HD set-top box and Sky Broadband Everyday Lite or Sky Broadband Unlimited. Sky has been the UK’s fastest growing Internet Service Provider (ISP) over the last four years.