Espial Powers Harvard Freeview Hybrid STBs and Multiscreen Applications

Now Shipping Multiple STB Models to the U.K.

OTTAWA, May 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Espial, a leader in on-demand TV software and solutions, today announced that global device manufacturer Harvard International Ltd. (Harvard) has shipped its View21^® and Goodmans set-top boxes (STBs) throughout the U.K. powered by Espial STB client and multiscreen software solutions. Harvard has operated for more than 40 years in the global consumer electronics market and is the U.K. market leader for retail STBs. Leveraging the flexibility of the comprehensive platform, Harvard offers an engaging and application-rich television experience on STBs and second-screen devices such as tablets and smartphones.

"We believe that today's TV viewers are looking for a feature-rich yet relevant, multiscreen experience delivered with a simple and intuitive User Interface," said Christian Corney, Commercial Director, Harvard. "Combining Espial's STB client and multiscreen solutions with our UI development knowledge, our STBs can become the gateway to all the video in the household and cost-effectively delivers compelling TV and Web content."

"We're excited to be working with Harvard — the leading STB manufacturer in the U.K.," said Jaison Dolvane, president and CEO, Espial. "The Espial STB client and multiscreen software solution is flexible, cost-effective, and feature-rich, allowing device manufacturers to approach the increasingly complex and connected TV world with ease."

Utilizing the intuitive Espial platform, Harvard will be able to generate additional revenue streams through the sale of companion application downloads customized for Apple^® iOS devices. Known as View21 Play and View21 Photo, the applications are available for download from the Apple App Store^SM and are supported on View21 STBs. Consumers can manage recordings, access programming information, quickly navigate through the electronic program guide, and record and stream video on iPads^®, iPhones^®, and iPods^® from the local STB, as well as push photos from these devices to the STB and TV. The applications are designed to optimize the use of the varying device display sizes to enhance the user experience.

Espial's flexible middleware engine supports today's open standards for TV applications, including HbbTV, OIPF, and HTML5 and has been pre-integrated for the DTT Freeview market. Relying on the open middleware platform, device manufacturers and service providers can deliver an advanced TV experience tailored to the specific requirements of a geographical market. A comprehensive set of porting APIs dramatically reduce time to market and development cost, enabling Harvard to easily add capabilities and functionalities to their STBs.

# # #

About Espial (www.espial.com)
Espial is a leading supplier of digital TV and IPTV software and solutions to cable MSOs and telecommunications operators as well as consumer electronics manufacturers. Espial's middleware, video-on-demand, and browser products power a diverse range of pay-TV and Internet TV business models. Over 35 million licenses of its patented software are in use across the world. Espial is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and has offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Visit www.espial.com or contact via phone at +1 613 230 4770.

SOURCE: ESPIAL GROUP