Arris Group and NDS are collaborating on next-generation video gateway -- combining Arris's hardware platform with NDS middleware, content security and interface software -- in "close collaboration with several North American cable operators," the companies said.
The joint solution is designed to meld traditional pay-TV with interactive IP multimedia services. The companies will integrate the Arris Media Gateway and Media Player with NDS's MediaHighway middleware, VideoGuard Connect digital rights management and the NDS Snowflake user interface.
Cisco Systems -- a key Arris competitor -- is in the midst of a $5 billion acquisition of NDS. The deal, announced in March, is expected to close in the second half of 2012.
NDS is the first third-party supplier to integrate its software with the Arris Media Gateway and Media Players. Arris currently offers the Moxi user interface with the whole-home gateway solution, and has announced customers including Shaw Communications, WideOpenWest, Bend Broadband and Buckeye CableSystem.
"We are excited about the opportunity to work with NDS and expand the market reach of the Arris Media Gateway," Bruce McClelland, Arris president of products and services. "Working together demonstrates our companies' flexibility and commitment to using innovative approaches to deliver cable's long-awaited whole home solution."
Arris's Media Gateway is a hybrid QAM/IP platform with a six-tuner HD digital video recorder and 500 Gigabytes of storage. It also includes DOCSIS 3.0 data/voice modem; a four-port Ethernet home networking router; CableCard conditional access; and support for Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) 1.1+ home networking technology and an option for 802.11n Wi-Fi.
The Arris Media Gateway is designed to connect with the Media Player, a thin client device, as well as with subscriber-owned DLNA-enabled devices using DTCP-IP encryption across a home network.
NDS's MediaHighway middleware includes the Snowflake user interface and XTV DVR features. The joint integration with Arris also incorporates NDS's Jungo Panorama remote management technology for fault discovery, analysis and resolution, as well as Jungo OpenRG residential gateway software. In addition, it includes the NDS Unified Headend, including VideoGuard Connect DRM for multiplatform pay-TV for distribution to multiple devices inside and outside the home.
"The NDS and Arris software and hardware components of this joint solution come together behind the award-winning NDS Snowflake user interface to deliver seamless and mesmerizing whole home experiences for our customers' subscribers," said Jesper Knutsson, vice president and general manager of sales for NDS Americas.
Separately at the Cable Show, Arris is introducing its second-generation software for its Moxi gateway solution that includes an HTML5 WebKit-based browser as well as support for MSO-customizable application storefronts and downloadable applications.
Liberty Global is rolling out a media gateway, dubbed Horizon, in certain markets that uses the NDS Snowflake user interface framework. The Samsung-manufactured gateway is powered by Intel chips.
