Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart C
The BBC have designed a linux based STB that is based around Linux, and includes support for Freeview, support for home networking, web access, a PVR and IPTV..
One thing to note: The BBC would not manufacture the box, or sell it. The prototype is a demonstration of a series of specifications for other manufacturers to follow..
Sounds like it could be quite nifty...
Trouble is, Ofcom have already notified the BBC that they think this box will stifle commercial competition and they probably will stop it
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04...roject_canvas/
If both the BBC trust and Ofcom agree, the boxes could be made available as soon as next year. |
I suspect this is, in part at least, another of their attempts to find a way around Ofcom's block on Project Kangaroo.
Other than that, it's nifty but not surprising - the BBC has always been a world leader in extending and developing our idea of what TV "is". This looks like a good stab at promoting convergence. And given that they're not going to market it themselves, I'm not sure what Ofcom's objection is going to be. Presumably they're not looking at this as a revenue stream either. To me it looks like they're showing the industry the sort of platform they want to deliver content for in the future. That means it's in the interests of the industry to consider building these things in to their future products.