Virgin Media selects UEI for Virgin TV 360 remote

Liberty Global’s Virgin Media has selected Universal Electronics Inc (UEI) to provide voice-enabled remotes for its new Virgin TV 360 set-top box.

Revealed last month, Virgin TV 360 is the operator’s attempt to create a platform that would provide some serious competition to Sky Q. The STB has transitioned from the TiVo architecture used on its previous V6 platform to Liberty Global’s Horizon platform. Voice interactivity via the remote is also central to the platform, and the company has picked UEI to provide this.

The RF4CE voice-enabled remote control is powered by UEI chip technology with automated setup and control through UEI’s QuickSet platform. This cloud-based solution is designed to simplify universal entertainment and smart home control, making the remote control self-install-ready. Its form factor features backlighted keys and a dedicated profile key on the side of the remote control to quickly select a user profile.

Annie Brooks, executive director of Product at Virgin Media, said: “Virgin TV 360 is our most advanced and customer-centric TV offering to date. From great new features such as voice search and control via our brand new remote, to the slick user interface and personal profiles, Virgin TV 360 has been designed with customer experience at the heart of it.

Menno Koopmans, UEI’s SVP of global sales and marketing, said: “It is thrilling to work on this project with Virgin Media, bringing intuitive voice control to its exciting new platform to enhance the customer experience.”