Overview
Leveraging IP-over-Ethernet technology and several
state of the art proprietary components, the NxTV System is a highly
scalable, complete end-to-end network application enabling the delivery
of a wide variety of digital entertainment and data services
through the guestroom television. In addition, the System provides hotel operators
with substantial network management and back office reporting capabilities.
The System is divided into three major subsystems:
(i) the Network Operations Center (NOC), which is centrally hosted and
managed by NxTV; (ii) the Hotel Media Center (HMC) located within the
IT center of the hotel; and (iii) the in-room components consisting
of a proprietary set top box (STB), wireless keyboard and remote control.
Located at NxTV's NOC is NxTVue, a proprietary browser-based
backend system management software tool that presents a real-time view
of the complete system in operation. NxTVue is the application
that enables the company to operate the System from its NOC, thus dramatically
reducing the cost of operating the System. Through NxTVue, NxTV maintains
24/7 communication with the NxTV System to remotely monitor all network
equipment, set top boxes and software applications to enable immediate
and proactive service responses. In addition, NxTVue enables NxTV to
manage and distribute content, handle customer billing, administer System
components and manage user information from the NOC. NxTVue also enables authorized hotel staff real-time
access to a variety of back office features.
The HMC houses NxTV's video server that streams content
to a NxTV STB in each guest room in the hotel. Developed in-house specifically
for the hospitality industry, the video server contains proprietary
software that has enabled NxTV to dramatically reduce overall system cost.
The video server utilizes a proprietary encryption/decryption scheme
that has been approved by the MPAA.
NxTV's proprietary STB is one of the
most advanced in the industry. It is also extremely versatile, and interfaces with virtually any television display on the market. The STB is responsible for connecting the
TV to the NxTV digital network and contains NxTV's sophisticated, proprietary
software-based Interactive Program Guide (IPG). NxTV developed its IPG
specifically for the hospitality industry to provide the guest with
feature rich functionality and a dynamic user interface through the
guestroom TV. NxTV's STB is designed to provide superior processing,
networking and multiple-output capabilities and can support several
peripherals via its universal serial bus (USB) ports.
The NxTV system can be installed to run over CAT5/6
or better cabling, as well as on a CAT3 or telephone-grade cable network
using ADSL2+ technology.
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