Back-up
Project Canvas has received ‘widespread' interest from TV manufacturers in response to its invitation to bring the IPTV venture to devices due to hit the shops in 2011.
Over 40 organisations including household name manufacturers of set-top boxes, TVs and recorders have said they support the ambitious project to bring internet-connected TV devices into people's living rooms.
Project Canvas, which is set to launch as YouView in the first half of next year, promises to shake up people's viewing habits by bringing on-demand programmes to Freeview and Freesat as well as hosting services as diverse as Love Film and NHS Direct.
The project is back on track for now as one of its partners, Channel Five has returned to the venture already backed by the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, Talk Talk and Arqiva after dramatically walking out due to money worries.
However, the project still faces opposition from Virgin Media which has approached Ofcom to look into Project Canvas because of competition concerns.
Project Canvas has been working on the core technical spec with the Digital Television Group (DTG) to support the launch of the first consumer equipment, and a host of technical documents have been published for enthusiasts to pore over.
Richard Halton, director of Project Canvas, said: "The response from industry has been phenomenal, and we're really excited by the strong desire to work with Project Canvas to bring internet-enabled set-top-boxes and TVs into people's homes next year. For us, this is a great endorsement of our open approach to working with industry partners."
"Consumers need the assurance that they will get the best experience, whatever device they buy. This industry engagement programme will ensure that high standards of quality will be deep rooted throughout all of our supported products. We look forward to working with further manufacturers as we roll out more phases of this programme," he added.
Project Canvas said it is presently looking at the responses of device manufacturers that are eager to come in on the venture and those selected will be taken through to the next stage of the evaluation process by the end of the month.
The project plans to extend its partner programme by bringing on more device partners over time to give consumers a wide choice of options when the eagerly anticipated IPTV offering is eventually rolled out.
