TARA Systems > Products & Services > Inaris DVB Middleware - Flexible and robust DVB solution for reception and recording

Inaris DVB Middleware

"Inaris" is a modular middleware solutions for DVB reception and recording, including popular features like HbbTV reception, EPG, Teletext and Subtitling. Based on a long-term expertise in European DVB and sophisticated design and test processes, Inaris DVB Middleware has been developed to provide a flexible, sustainable and robust software solution to manufacturers of DVB receiver products. TARA's modular DVB software is suited for a wide variety of products, either as integrated solution or to extend existing customer-specific software with certain features and co-exist with third-party solutions.

Today, TARA's stand-alone DVB software modules and integrated DVB solutions are deployed on numerous different semiconductor platforms and are used in millions of TV sets, Set-Top-Boxes and further consumer electronics devices.

Benefits of our DVB Middleware Approach

The requirements for DVB receiver products are growing constantly and with it the challenges for developing flexible and well-structured DVB software. The increase of complexity is driven by existing and upcoming standards, national specifics accross Europe and consumers' demands for convergence of TV, Internet and mobile applications. Instead of focussing on a impractical "one software fits all" solution, TARA follows a cooperative approach. It is based on the idea, that different solutions and skills of TARA, its partners and customers can complement each other to achieve a superior result.

Our Inaris DVB Middleware has been prepared right from the start for an easy integration and coexistence with existing customer software and third party solutions.
With our customers, we work in partnership and enable them, to extend our solutions independently, whenever necessary.
We focus on what we are good at: the accurate and reliable implementation of DVB requirements accross Europe. And we team up with partners with expert knowledge in related arreas, like Internet functionality, device connectivity or content protection.

Our strengths and advantages have been audited and confirmed by customers and partners. If you want to find out more, see "Way of working".

Markets & Use Cases

The Inaris DVB Middleware is well-suited:

for DVB receivers, Set-Top Boxes (STBs), PVR / DVR products and TV sets for the European market, especially Germany, France and UK (ready for Freeview+ HD).
for integration with customer software and third party solutions, e.g. for hybrid DVB / IP products with Video On Demand (VOD), Over-The-Top (OTT).
as reliable DVB core for products with innovative, additional functionality.
as flexible and open foundation for innovative developments and prototypes.
as reliable and long-lasting core for product series, evolving over the next years.

Projects: See examples of scenarios, in which the Inaris DVB Middleware has been deployed.

Architectural Overview

Core for DVB reception and recording

The modular Inaris DVB Middleware includes core modules like the Service Manager, EPG Manager, Configuration Manager and PVR Manager, as well as several additional modules, like a database, XML reader and writer and more.

HbbTV, Teletext, DVB Subtitling

Additionally, the HbbTV Receiver, Teletext Decoder and DVB Subtitle Decoder are available as part of the Inaris DVB Middleware or as stand-alone components, equipped with an own API, automated unit test and documentation for an easy start-up and integration into existing customer software.

Integration with third-party solutions

Furthermore, the Inaris DVB middleware has been prepared for an easy and seamless integration with suitable solutions from partners for typical Set-Top Box (STB) / TV features beyond basic DVB functionality, e.g. MHEG-5, DLNA and HTML browsers. Please contact us for your specific requirements.

Features & Technical Details

CI+

HD+

DVB Reception

Support for DVB-S/S2/T/T2/C
TV and radio services with support of various service lists
EPG: Full electronic programme guide for 7 days or more, depending on available memory.
Configuration management: easy configuration of all components (with XML files) for different country/product dependent settings, e.g. different interpretation of service information (SI).
Supported Standards: Freeview, Freeview HD (D-Book).
Under development: Preparation for Integration of:
- HD+ (e.g. Astra LCN)
- Embedded CA: Nagra, Irdeto
- CI+ (CI solution already integrated)

DVB Recording & Playback

Dual tuner support, multi-tuner in preparation.
Time-shift and trick modes.
One-touch recording and recording based on 7-day (depending on memory) EPG with DVB-SI data.
Manual recording (service, date, time) with repetitions
Series and recommendations recordings based on CRID
Scheduler for recordings
Automatic conflict management (support of user priorities for resolution)
Recording of Teletext and DVB Subtitles
Archive management, storing of metadata, e.g. title, description, genre, number of playbacks, in archive.
Indication of partial or missed recordings (with reason of missed recording)
Supported Standards: Freeview+ HD
Under development: Extensions for HD+ and preparation for integration of CI+.

Software Principles & Quality

Modular, flexible architecture: to enable customers, to adapt and enhance our solutions to their needs.
Easy integration and configuration: to facilitate the deployment and minimize development costs.
Portability due to hardware abstraction layer (Inaris HAL).
Automated system and unit testing: to guarantee robustness, minimize maintenance costs and ensure high quality of software updates.
Optimization for embedded platforms: to get the maximum out of cost-effective hardware.
GUI agnostic: user interface can be created with various UI approaches. Helpful and time-saving "GUI binding classes" are available for TARA's own GUI technology "Embedded Wizard".

Supported Platforms

The Inaris DVB Middleware has been ported to several chipsets from Broadcom, STMicroelectronics, Fujitsu, NXP/Trident, Sigma and SiRF (CSR). Besides that, all components of the Inaris DVB Middleware are running on PC as part of TARA's development and testing strategy.

Roadmap & Further Information

For all its solutions, TARA offers detailed technical documentation, APIs, integration examples and roadmaps. Please contact us for further information.