Broadcom, Cisco, DirecTV, Samsung Form RVU Alliance

Broadcom, Cisco, DirecTV and Samsung announced Monday that they are forming an alliance, dubbed the RVU Alliance, to develop a specification for a full-featured, "pixel-accurate" Remote User Interface (RUI) that will form the core of a new "RVU" technology for the distribution of digital video and audio home networked entertainment content (note: the companies define the RVU technology as follows: "The RVU protocol is based on a client-server architecture. The server is a source device supplied by the content service provider that allows the distribution and management of video and a consistent user experience to one or many thin CE devices"). The companies say that the RVU Alliance complements and benefits existing interoperability initiatives and underscores the companies' commitment to the sharing of digital content in the connected home.

According to the companies:

• The RVU Alliance's "pixel-accurate" RUI technology will provide an identical user experience on all RVU-based thin-client CE devices throughout the connected home, including digital TV sets, digital media adapters and set-top boxes.
• Refinements to the user experience can be deployed in the home with a single update in the RVU-based media server appearing on all subscribing thin-client CE devices.
• RVU technology is expected to accelerate the availability of service provider content throughout the connected home. A server-controlled, common user experience helps enable the rapid introduction of new features and applications that typically accompany commercial content, the companies say.

The companies say that RVU technology will be important to consumers because it will allow them to 1) "receive the same experience at every TV through the same look-and-feel"; 2) "access...high-definition programming from any TV in the home"; 3) access...personal media content (e.g., videos and photos) from any TV in the home"; 4) "interact with weather, enhanced sports, and other interactive applications from any TV in the home"; and 5) have "content available on more devices (including personal media players and PC's)."

The companies--which, in their press release announcing the RVU Alliance, stress the importance of the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) of which they are all promoting members--say that there are three tiers of membership in the RVU Alliance: Founding Promoter, Promoter and Contributor. "We believe both consumers and service providers will embrace consumer electronic equipment with RVU technology because it enables a high-quality digital entertainment experience throughout the connected home," DirecTV CTO, Romulo Pontual, said in a prepared statement. "We are committed to the RVU technology and are planning to deploy it in media servers and clients beginning early in 2010." Added Rich Nelson, VP of marketing for Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group: "As consumers look for new ways to connect, share and enjoy commercial content throughout the home, Broadcom is committed to enabling connectivity for an enhanced digital entertainment experience. By supporting RVU technology on set-top box, digital TV and Blu-ray system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, we are enabling a consistent look-and-feel on connected devices in the home." More information on the RVU Alliance can be found at: http://www.rvualliance.org.