DTVKit unveils RDK white label set-top

UK-based not-for-profit DVB software organisation DTVKit has teamed up with some of its members including RDK, Mediatek, EKT and OBS to develop an RDK-based white label hybrid set-top box.

The group said it was seeking to meet the needs of OEMs and smaller satellite operators to test and evaluate RDK and DTVKit as a full hybrid solution.

According to DTVKit, the launch of the hybrid white label box enables it to be used as a development platform, a demonstrator or to deliver a proof of concept. The platform will be delivered with a defined profile of RDK4.

Mediatek was chosen as the silicon supplier to the first DTVKit Hybrid white label box, which is running on a 4K UHD capable chipset with 2GB DDR4, 8 MB EMMC, dual multiformat demodulation for DVB-C/T2/S2, Bluetooth 5 and WiFi 6 2+2 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4/5 GHz.

“This project has been very significant because it has been developed and brought to market through the collaboration of our members, which is essentially what DTVKit is all about, it’s our company’s ethos, so it is a very exciting milestone,” said Amy Cleary, marketing and operations director, DTVKit.

Phil Evans, Managing Director, DTVKit said: “There is a need to overcome the challenges of getting silicon support for lower volume operator and OEMs. We have developed a solution for small to medium operators moving from zapper to hybrid services. As the name suggests, it’s a white label box which means you can put your own branding on it.”

Jason Briggs, the former COO at the RDK organisation who took over from Steve Heeb as president in May, said: “With DTVKit’s Hybrid While Label set-top box, the DTVKit community continues to show its innovation and commitment to providing RDK-enabled solutions to operators around the globe.This new STB is a welcomed addition, and we look forward to its use and adoption by members of both of our communities.”