Rovi Corporation announced that it is helping Media Markt expand the reach of its Video-On-Demand (VOD) services with the launch of the new Media Markt Videodownloadshop on connected Set-Top Boxes (STBs).
For more information visit: www.rovicorp.com
Unedited press release follows:
Rovi and Media Markt Introduce Digital Entertainment Services on a Range of New Connected Devices
Announce Support for DivX Plus Streaming to Enhance Playback Experience
Berlin, Germany, IFA, 8/30/2012 – Driving digital entertainment innovation, Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) and Media Markt Germany, Europe’s largest consumer electronics retailer, today announced that they continue to expand the reach of Media Markt’s Video-On-Demand services with new launches of the Media Markt Videodownloadshop on connected set-top boxes. The companies are also collaborating to integrate support for DivX Plus Streaming™, Rovi’s secure adaptive streaming solution that enables the digital delivery of a Blu-ray Disc-like entertainment experience. Rovi will be demonstrating Media Markt’s Video-On-Demand service with DivX Plus Streaming at IFA 2012, August 31 to September 5 (Hall 25, Stand 146) in Berlin.
In addition to retailer adoption, DivX Plus Streaming is quickly gaining the support of major studios and IC manufacturers serving the CE industry such as Broadcom and MediaTek. The advanced adaptive streaming format brings features historically associated with Blu-ray Discs to the over-the-top entertainment experience. The solution not only dynamically adjusts streams to help deliver maximum visual quality based on available bandwidth, but also offers an advanced feature set with support for 1080p, subtitles, multiple language tracks, and trick-play functions such as smooth fast forward and rewind.
“Rovi is committed to helping content owners, service providers, and leading retailers like Media Markt, deliver easy to use and broadly accessible digital entertainment services that resonate with consumers and drive new revenue streams,” said Leander Carell, Senior Manager, Technology, Rovi. “Promoting entertainment experiences that are flexible, convenient, and feature rich, DivX technologies including DivX Plus HD and DivX Plus Streaming are helping make over-the-top entertainment a mainstream activity.”
As well as supporting DivX Plus Streaming for the delivery of high-quality content to connected devices, Media Markt also offers premium titles in the DivX format for offline playback. The ‘download to own’ storefront was launched two years ago and enables consumers to enjoy purchased entertainment on any DivX Plus® HD Certified device. Over 750 million DivX-certified devices have shipped into the market worldwide from leading consumer electronics manufacturers.
Media Mark’s Videodownloadshop recently launched on a range of connected set-top boxes including the latest devices from VideoWeb, developed by the German manufacturer Abox42 GmbH. Abox42 will be demonstrating DivX Plus Streaming on its latest product generation “M12” at IFA. In addition, the service is now available on a selection of new and in-market solutions from TechniSat as well as Inverto’s Volksbox™. After setting up an account on these devices, Media Markt customers may choose from thousands of movies and TV series that are available for rent or purchase. Once purchased, movies can be viewed at any time on up to five devices using the Media Markt app. Media Markt and Rovi are actively working with a number of leading CE manufacturers to launch the service on additional home and mobile devices including a range of DTVs, smartphones, and tablets.
About Media Markt
Media Markt is Europe’s Number One electrical goods retailer. The success enjoyed by the company, which was founded in 1979 and is housed under the roof of Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH, is based on a unique selection of low-priced brand-name products, competent staff, excellent service, a distinctive advertising presence and a decentralized organizational structure. Each general manager is a shareholder in his own store and is thus responsible for the products offered, as well as for pricing, personnel and marketing. At present, Media Markt has 246 stores in Germany and 663 stores in 15 European and Asian countries.
About Rovi Corporation
Rovi powers the discovery, delivery, display and monetization of digital entertainment. With innovative technology solutions for consumer electronics manufacturers, service providers, content producers, advertisers, retailers and websites, Rovi connects people and the entertainment they love. The company holds approximately 5,200 issued or pending patents worldwide and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. More information about Rovi can be found at rovicorp.com.