REDMOND, WASH. SEPT. 4, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. and Chyron Corp. today announced the availability of Chyron Metaplayer, a software-based tool that helps broadcasters automatically manage and deliver interactive TV triggers to multiple channels. Metaplayer will be shown in action at the International Broadcasting Convention 2001, Sept. 14 through 18 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the Microsoft®
TV stand (No. 4.121) and the Chyron stand (No. 3.141).
Similar to an HTML or Web site application, Metaplayer allows broadcasters to manage and maintain millions of hyperlinks instantaneously. Using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Metaplayer retrieves incoming interactive triggers from multiple sources and redirects them to various channels. Broadcasters using Metaplayer can more efficiently manage ATVEF-based triggers for interactive shows running on multiple channels. By supporting ATVEF-based triggers, network operators can seamlessly create and deliver interactive TV content through the Microsoft TV platform.
“Microsoft and Chyron are working together to bring broadcasters the best set of tools to easily create, manage and deliver interactive TV content at low cost,” said Paul Mitchell, senior director of content programs and standards for the Microsoft TV Group at Microsoft. “Metaplayer will help broadcasters organize all the interactive data coming through the system, providing one software application to manage hundreds and even thousands of interactive triggers automatically.”
“Metaplayer is the first in a family of Chyron products designed to provide local and wide-area management of data assets within the broadcast, cable and satellite plant,” said Bill Hendler, vice president of the Interactive Division at Chyron. “Because it uses the SOAP transport protocol, it’s scalable and standards-based. Network operators will be able to manage as many interactive triggers as they can activate, across multiple channels. This is crucial to the emerging central casting environment.”
Microsoft and Chyron have an ongoing commitment to jointly develop interactive tools for broadcasters. Before the introduction of Metaplayer, the two companies created and launched three interactive TV applications — the award-winning Lyric iTV, DCC Interactive and CG Interactive — designed to help broadcasters add and deliver interactive triggers to various TV programs and specials, including newscasts and live events.
About Chyron
Chyron Corp. (OTC “CYRO”) is a world leader in the development and delivery of products and services in the media casting market — an area that delivers media to consumers that includes high-definition TV, standard-definition TV, interactive TV or any form of broadband. The company provides broadcast graphics, high-bandwidth and multimedia signals, streaming media technology and content management. Chyron is the only global company with 30 years of expertise and technology to provide the services and solutions for streaming media and interactive television, enabling the highest-quality experience to be delivered to consumers.
Chyron’s existing customer base is composed of nearly all television stations and TV networks throughout Europe and North America. With offices in the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong and the United States, and a client list that includes the world’s leading broadcasters, Chyron has been providing the owners of content with value-added products and services for over 30 years. More information on Chyron can be found at http://www.chyron.com/ .
About the Microsoft TV Platform
The Microsoft TV platform is a standards-based, client and server software family that enables network operators and their partners to deliver the most compelling interactive TV services to consumers. The platform supports a range of TV devices — from current and next-generation set-top boxes and digital video recorders to integrated television sets, entertainment appliances and other computing devices. Through the platform, network operators and hardware providers can team up to offer consumers an unparalleled range of services, from e-mail and Internet on television to interactive programming, electronic program guides and digital video recording.
Microsoft TV also creates significant new economic opportunities for network operators and industry leaders worldwide that have chosen to work with the platform to deliver or supply the services, programming, hardware and software for interactive TV. Microsoft TV supports open standards and is backed by the technical expertise, support and broad third-party developer community for which Microsoft is known. It is an integral part of the Microsoft .NET vision of empowering people through great software — any time, any place and on any device. More information about the Microsoft TV platform can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
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