Scientific-Atlanta has developed a supercharged version of its Digital Network Control System (DNCS) software.

The software will help cable ops give subscribers Video-on-Demand (VOD) and Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) services on a large scale. Besides removing the headache of poor network capacity, they will be able to add value to services they offer. Expanded VOD/SVOD capacity will help consumers become more receptive to on-demand interactive TV services.

Scientific-Atlanta‘s DNCS software takes care of the complex network traffic which is necessary for the smooth delivery of high bandwidth, interactive digital video and data services to subscribers. DNCS performs functions like set-top provisioning, session management, network flow control and optimising bandwidth. DNCS also coordinates communications between applications servers, set-tops, and other devices on the cable operator‘sn etwork.

Time Warner Cable plans to upgrade some of its sites to Scientific-Atlanta‘s new network software, which will provide the reliable and scalable platform for their VOD and SVOD rollout. Scientific-Atlanta is also helping Comcast aggressively rollout VOD across two million homes by the end of the year.

The US National Cable Center has inducted Scientific Atlanta‘s former chairman, president and CEO Sidney Topol into its Cable Television Hall of Fame.
Topol was Scientific Atlanta‘s president from 1971-83, CEO from 1975-87, and board chairman from 1978-90. Company revenue grew from $16 million to over $600 million during Topol‘s tenure, according to an official release from Scientific Atlanta, a leading supplier of digital content distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops.

Topol has spent over forty years in the field of telecommunications and cable related work. His contribution to the cable industry shaped its direction and flow. He developed the satellite-to-cable interconnection for delivering programming to cable headends. His vision and ability to lead from the front helped the cable industry progress in leaps and bounds, the release says.

As far back as 1982, Topol had predicted the direction set top boxes would take. "I think eventually there are going to be three boxes in the home. The three boxes may be incorporated all in one big box - the addressable 100-channel set-top terminal with tiering and pay-per-view, an interactive terminal for shopping, banking, security and that sort of thing, a modem which interconnects the cable system with personal computers - at high speed," he had noted at the time.

Channel V is looking to make a dent in the lucrative Japanese market.To this end, the joint venture between Star and EMI Music will work in tandem with Space Shower Networks, Japan‘s dominant music network, to develop a new music television channel.

Currently, V‘s international channel is available in Japan on the SkyPerfecTV! platform. Space Shower network started in 1989 as the first Japanese music specialty network. Channel V will take a 10 per cent stake in Space Shower Networks. Only the Itochu Corporation has a larger stake in the Japanese network as of now. The alliance will take advantage of the exciting range of programming fare that Channel V dishes out, as well as Space Shower Networks‘ strength in the local music scene.

The new channel will be built on the existing Space Shower TV. Space Shower TV which reaches 3.8 million households, has set itself the target of increasing the figure to four million by the end of the current fiscal.

Channel V sees value in the relationship because the Space Shower channel raps with the Jap youth who groove to pop music. Channel V claims to reach over 46 million homes in the pan Asian region. In India, the channel is rejigging its programming structure to counter the stiff competition from MTV. It also has channels in Greater China, Thailand, Australia and Korea.

The mutually beneficial alliance will help Space Shower to broaden the reach of its content in the Asian region.