UpdateTV lets you deliver your critical software and firmware updates through traditional terrestrial digital signals, in-band distribution via standard digital cable networks, or through the Internet to connected television devices.

Increasingly Complex Ditital Devices
Today’s digital devices – including DTV sets, set-top boxes, personal video recorders, and more – are increasingly sophisticated systems that integrate complex operating systems (typically Linux) and other software, high-speed processors, memory, storage, and more. Software stacks determine how to receive television transmissions, display various forms and resolutions of digital and high definition video, format closed-captioning, change channels, show emergency alert messages, adjust the volume, power the set on and off, etc. 

While the tremendous advancements result in ultra-crisp picture quality and sound, the increased complexity of these digital devices results in more firmware issues and software bugs than traditional analog devices. And, like computers, DTVs and related components will inevitably require software updates to fix bugs and support the latest changes in still-maturing DTV standards.

The Spiraling Costs of Updates
Unfortunately, a bug or error in any part of the embedded software stack can compromise features, degrade performance – or even cause the device to stop working entirely.  That forces manufacturers to deliver software/firmware updates to their consumers – perhaps by mailing out media devices (such as USB drives) or sending technicians to a person’s home.  At $30 for each mailing or $150 per visit, these measures can quickly add up to tens of millions of dollars – and can create long-term damage to a manufacturer’s or cable company’s brand image. 

Introducing UpdateTV
UpdateTV is the independent, breakthrough solution from UpdateLogic that enables equipment manufacturers to quickly and transparently update the software or firmware residing in their devices in consumer homes in the United States.

Using terrestrial (sometimes called “over-the-air” or OTA) signals, in-band distribution through standard digital cable networks, or direct connection through the Internet, UpdateLogic transmits compact, encoded software/firmware updates to specific models of DTV devices.  The UpdateTV Agent on the device decodes and installs the update.  All without any consumer intervention.

UpdateTV Advantages:

• Rapid, remote updates targeted to specific devices.
• Fewer tech support calls and issues.
• Compliance with standards and specifications, including ATSC A/97 Software Data Download Service (SDDS) standard and other relevant cable and Internet industry standards.
• Dramatic support-cost savings.
• Transparency for consumers.
• Delivery-network independence – terrestrial, cable, or Internet.
• Ability to update a broad range of devices – such as a digital-to-analog converter box, DVR, DTV set, DVDr, OCAP device, iDCR, UDCP, and more.