Adding a Device Profile to TVersity
From TVersity
Contents |
Introduction
One unique aspect of the TVersity Media Server is its ability to deliver content to any given device in a format that is supported by that device. In order to achieve that, TVersity makes use of device profiles, which include a description of the media formats and codecs supported by that device. When a device first establishes a connection to TVersity, it is matched against all known profiles, and once identified all future requests by that device will be served with content that conforms to that profile.
Devices that cannot be matched with profiles (unidentified devices) can still inter-operate with TVersity, however no adaptation of media formats or streaming protocols will be performed in such a case. This means that media formats not supported by the target device will not play. Even devices that have broad support for content, typically support less than 50% of the formats and codecs supported by TVersity and hence setting up a profile is highly recommended.
In addition to that, URLs pertaining to web content will be delivered to unidentified devices as is with no transformation whatsoever. This means that most of the web content supported by TVersity (with the exception of podcasts) will most likely fail to play on these devices. These URLs can point to HTML pages, SWF files (typically video players and not the video itself), XML files and many other types of media that does not represent a known audio/video/photo format. In contrast, when dealing with identified devices, TVersity transforms these URLs to the actual audio/video/photos that correspond to them and if necessary also converts these to a different format.
The transformation described above includes in some cases the utilization of a server side web browser. This modified version of Webkit, allows TVersity to stream a video playing within a web page while the web page is rendered to this server side browser. With this feature, TVersity can deliver premium web content and even online movie rental services, to any identified device and without any special requirements from the device.
In summary, TVersity transforms any device that can play just one audio, video and photo format to a universal media player providing that a profile has been created for it. In the same time, even devices with broad support for media formats can gain tremendously from setting a profile and increase the level of satisfaction of their users tenfold. With TVersity, consumer electronic companies can deliver a superior user experience without making additional investments in their devices.
Creating and Maintaining a Device Profile
TVersity offers two method for adding a profile for a new device:
- Device certification by TVersity - Device manufacturers can commission TVersity to create the profile and maintain it on an ongoing basis.
- Do it yourself - Alternatively, you can create a profile yourself, submit it to TVersity and maintain it in light of changes to your device and/or to TVersity.
Device Certification by TVersity
While TVersity inter-operates with devices using industry standards, we also recognize the value of tight integration of hardware, software and services. In order to achieve that TVersity offers certification services to device manufacturers. These services are intended to ensure a superior user experience at launch and beyond it and include the following elements:
- Device Profile - Create a device profile, include it in all future distributions of TVersity, and make it visible and selectable in the GUI.
- Initial Testing - QA testing of the profile and the overall user experience. A report will be submitted by TVersity with findings and recommendations.
- Ongoing Testing - Ensuring compatibility with the device when new TVersity releases are made.
- Marketing - Upon successful completion of the process, compatibility with TVersity can be claimed in various marketing materials. TVersity will feature the device on its website, blog about it and announce its availability via its newsletter.
For more information please contact: sales at tversity dot com.
Do it yourself Device Profile
As an alternative to certification, vendors may choose to create and maintain the device profile instead of having TVersity create it for them:
- Start by creating a custom profile - A Technical Specification of a Device Profile with extensive documentation is available to assist you.
- Test the profile with various media files and various types of online content.
- For better user experience, verify compliance with the TVersity Interoperability Guidelines.
- Once completed and tested the profile should be submitted via email to info at tversity dot com (along with any additional resources such as icons, unique device description documents, etc.), and a physical unit needs to be shipped to TVersity.
- TVersity may choose to verify the profile prior to inclusion but is not required to do so.
- It is your responsibility to maintain the profile when new TVersity releases are made and when you make firmware updates.
Please note the following:
- TVersity will do a best effort to include your device profile as soon as it makes a new release. However TVersity is not required to do so and is entitled to suspend inclusion of existing profiles at any point and for any reason.
- Due to the absence of official testing and certification, compatibility with TVersity, beyond the compliance to the same industry standards, may not be claimed.
- The structure and format of the profile document is owned exclusively by TVersity. By submitting a profile to TVersity you agree to shared ownership of the information pertaining to your device which is included in the profile.
