Matsushita and Comcast Agree to License OCAP Middleware

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Comcast have agreed to license Panasonic's Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) compliant middleware for the U.S. cable market. This middleware was developed by Panasonic and will be installed in digital cable set top boxes (STBs) to be built for Comcast, and also used in consumer devices that will be available at retail. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The two companies also have an existing agreement for Comcast to purchase Panasonic-designed and -made OCAP-compliant STBs. Panasonic and Comcast are also working on a certification system for OCAP-ready devices and digital TV. Panasonic plans to introduce an OCAP-compliant set-top cable box to the U.S. market in 2005.



Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) ensures interoperability with digital interactive cable-ready digital TVs and cable STBs. An OCAP-ready digital television application that works with one cable operator in one area can also work with another cable operator in another area. Until now, cable operators have determined their own proprietary delivery systems, requiring different cable set-top boxes to receive and decode signals from their propriety systems. http://www.panasonic.co.jp/