Pace launches new Mediaroom IPTV platform

Set-top vendor Pace has launched a new set-top platform running Microsoft’s Mediaroom IPTV software.

The company developed a bespoke set-top for UK IPTV operator BT Vision based on Mediaroom and has now extended its relationship with Microsoft to offer Mediaroom set-tops to the European market. Frederic Maizeret, general account director telecom and retail said the “robust platform” had undergone rigorous testing during the 18 months it took to develop. “It’s a very good product designed for convergence of the internet with the set-top box. It opens up a new customer base for us,” Maizeret said.

Pace also unveiled a new HD set-top box capable of streaming games from a PC to the TV at IPTV World Forum. Developed as part of the EU-funded Games @ Live project, Pace demonstrated how customers could play PC-quality games through the set-top box using a combination of game servers and streaming technology. In the demo, Pace streamed a game from a central server to the set-top box. “We want to make games more accessible,” commented Paul Entwistle, chief technologist. “Service providers often provide a games download service but only to PCs. Now customers can play them wherever the set-top is located.”