Business from technology

Multichannel media

Competence

Multi-channel media competences in image, video and graphics processing are utilised in content-based video retrieval, video segmentation and image recognition solutions, also for mobile applications.

Research and development is also based on expertise in TV techniques – utilised in both digital TV (DVB-T/C/S, IPTV) and mobile TV (Convergence of networks: DVB-H – 3G - handover).

Rich Internet Application (RIA) development methods, including JavaScript, service-oriented architectures (SOA) and semantic web technologies, are used for web applications and for mobile applications using C/C++ and Java (J2ME) programming languages, mainly in the Symbian environment.

Challenges

Increasing processor power and better 3D-grapihcs capabilities in mobile phones (smart phones) also offer possibilities for new types of rich multimedia applications.

Audiovisual information processing inside mobile terminals or in powerful servers will be performed transparently for the user because of fast wireless networks (3G, WLAN, DVB-H, IPTV).

Networking among skilled people is more important than before in the research and development of multi-channel media because of the very fast development of the technology. The work has to be based on customer needs and co-operation between experts in content production, technologies, usability and business.

Solutions, References and merits

OtaDigi is a VTT-hosted Living Lab type of test environment for digital TV. OtaDigi has transmitters at VTT in Otaniemi, Espoo, Helsinki city centre and the Arabianranta area, offering a very versatile trial environment for research and development projects.

Digital IPTV peer-to-peer content delivery, cost-effective Linux broadcasting architectures, and set-top-box solutions are hot topic areas in several projects, such as P2P-Next.

The HyperFit and Climate Bonus projects are examples of services and applications meant for both web and mobile users.

• HyperFit: Hybridmedia for the personal management of nutrition and exercise
  
• Climate Bonus: A carbon bonus/credit system for households
  

UpCode, which is based on research and development of 2D bar code recognition methods at VTT, was the winner of the Best Mobile Application Award in the Enterprise category of the annual 'Mobile Rules! 08' competition, the world's leading competition for innovative business plans and cutting-edge applications and services in the mobile environment