mPhase Technologies is updating its TV+ System IPTV software with the ability to encode a simultaneous mix of both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 streams in a single channel.

The idea is to allow service providers to populate each of their systems with a mix of set-tops that support MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, or both, rather than upgrade to MPEG-4-only STBs all at once. Alternatively, the capability provides a way for providers to support a mix of network types, including Ethernet, DSL and fiber.

Another addition to the TV+ System is a Dynamic Menu System that allows service providers to define menu profiles and map viewer selections to portal and browser-based services. mPhase offers optional Flash integration for gaming services, and has also developed a Portal SDK for applications developers.

The updated software will not be commercially available until Q4. mPhase is demonstrating the new capabilities in the Tilgin Mood 300 Series of MPEG 4-capable set-top boxes (STBs).