At least one major U.S. MSO is planning to offer the ability to connect directly to big-screen TVs without a set-top – we just aren’t being told which one.
Vecima said it has signed a deal to provide this customer with technology for “delivering HD digital video streams in a secure format connecting directly to newer flat-panel TVs.”
Vecima frequently supplies technology to equipment vendors, which then supply MSO end-customers. Vecima says this deal is directly with the mystery MSO, which will private-label the product in question.
Vecima did not offer specifics about the product but indicated it would be used not for residential subscribers, but for customers in the hospitality market.
“This new technology is highly desired by the hospitality industry, hospitals, schools, universities and other institutions because it streamlines infrastructure requirements and reduces costs,” the company said.
In return for providing this customer the exclusive right to sell this product, the contract calls for a minimum annual revenue of $10 to $15 million, Vecima said, adding that the product will start shipping in the first half of calendar 2010, ramping up rapidly thereafter.
