Topfield partners with Opera to deliver modern multimedia web content on hybrid set-top boxes

Topfield, a manufacturer of advanced set-top boxes with cutting-edge technology in the industry, and Opera Software, developer of the Opera web browsers, today announced a partnership that has enabled the delivery of a high-quality, seamless hybrid broadcast and broadband TV (HbbTV) viewing experience. Topfield will implement the Opera Devices Software Development Kit (SDK), which provides support for rich, modern multimedia web content such as HTML5 video and audio elements, HTTP adaptive streaming, OpenGL 3D graphics and the CE-HTML video element for HbbTV.

NPD In-Stat research forecasts that Europe's HbbTV service will begin to gain dominance by late 2013, and HbbTV has recently announced the new version of its hybrid TV specification to enhance the features and functionality required to deliver feature-rich broadcast and internet TV services. Topfield's new hybrid set-top boxes will implement the new version of Opera Devices SDK to support HTTP adaptive streaming, HTML5 video and audio elements, and OpenGL 3D graphics to deliver better, modern multimedia web content. These set-top boxes will be powered by ViXS and Broadcom to achieve superior multimedia performance.

"The connected TV ecosystem will bring a richer and more interactive web experience through HbbTV," says Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. "Both Topfield and Opera are committed to providing customers with an intuitive and high-quality HbbTV experience throughout the worldwide market, with cutting-edge convergence technology for modern, multimedia web content."

Providing interfaces, applications and browsers for OEMs to create a rich connected TV experience, Opera Devices SDK has shipped on millions of set-top boxes and TVs and has ported to all major chipsets, including ARM, MIPS, SH4 and Intel. Opera's SDK features robust support for HbbTV applications thanks to a unique HbbTV-compliant application manager, which allows web applications to access existing TV functionality, while providing superior performance, speed and ease of integration.

The new Topfield hybrid set-top boxes with Opera browser technology inside will be available in the second half of 2012.

About Topfield

Topfield has been leading initiatives in the digital broadcasting industry. Since its establishment in 1998 in Korea, Topfield has maintained technological excellence and market popularity on the basis of continuous promotion for the products under its own brand and relentless innovations. Topfield emerged as a market trend setter in the STB industry by developing its unique ASIC design technology and, as a result, introducing the first STB (now commonly known as PVR or DVR) with two tuners and recording capability in the world. Moreover, Topfield has followed the initial success by pioneering novel STB functionalities such as four simultaneous recording, intelligent recordings and TAP (Topfield Application Program, at least 5 years before Apple’s counterpart was launched). The superior technology and reliable quality of Topfield have been perennially recognized in the global markets. At present, Topfield is viewed as the standard in the PVR industry and partners with over 60 distributors in more than 40 countries worldwide.

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 275 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.