10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session B - DH18:
OCAP: Next Generation of Cable TV Service
In this session, we bring together a group of primary players in the OpenCable Applications Platform, the specification for cable middleware software. OCAP is intended to enable the developers of interactive television services and applications to design such products so that they will run successfully on any cable television system in North America, independent of set-top or television receiver hardware or operating system software choices. OCAP enables manufacturers and retail distributors of set-tops, television receivers or other devices to build and to sell attractive and capable devices to consumers that will support all services delivered by cable operators to devices currently available to consumers via lease from cable operators. With DTV now a fixture in the American home, the future of Interactive Television is around the corner. OCAP specifications are central to that implementation.
Anthony Smith-Chaigneau, VP Business Development & Marketing, Osmosys S.A.
Donald P. Dulchinos, Vice President, Advanced Platforms and Services, CableLabs
Sam Pemberton, President/CEO, Softel-USA
Timothy Wahlers, President/CEO, Vidiom Systems
Colin Dixon, Executive Strategy Advisor, Alticast, Inc.
Rob Glidden, Market Development Manager, Broadband and Digital Media, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Moderator
Donald P. Dulchinos, Vice President, Advanced Platforms and Services,
CableLabs: Mr. Dulchinos directs and manages the OpenCable project, an initiative of the cable television industry being managed through CableLabs with a goal of attaining interoperable digital set-top boxes manufactured by multiple vendors. Before joining CableLabs, Mr. Dulchinos held various research and analysis positions, including director of research with the National Cable Television Association, where he specialized in technology assessment and strategic analysis of other telecommunications and information industries. Mr. Dulchinos holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Denver, and a B.A. in Economics from Union College in Schenectady, NY.Timothy Wahlers, President/CEO Vidiom Systems: Timothy Wahlers is
the owner and founder of Vidiom Systems Corporation, a Boulder, Colorado-based company that provides technology solutions to the cable, satellite, and consumer electronics industries. As President and CEO, Tim is responsible for corporate management and overall business strategy of the company’s product and service offerings. Tim has been involved with the OpenCable™ initiative managed by CableLabs since it began in 1997. Tim was the first Director of Software for the OpenCable project at CableLabs and was responsible for evaluating the technologies and features proposed by the contributing companies. Vidiom’s engineering staff then participated in the Cable Applications Platform Subcommittee (CAPS) of SCTE to transform the initial Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) 1.0 specification into a standard. Vidiom has been commissioned by Time Warner Cable to develop the first OCAP software implementation, which is scheduled for trials later this year. Prior to Vidiom Systems, Tim was a founder and executive at OptImage Interactive Systems. He led product design and development teams that positioned OptImage at the forefront of the market for interactive compact disc and interactive television systems. At OptImage, Tim established a reputation for architecting many technically innovative approaches to the unique problems of interactive multimedia authoring and content development. Under Tim’s leadership, OptImage was first-to-market with the first CD write-once burner, MPEG1 encoder, CD-i and multimedia set-top emulation, and multimedia API, authoring, and developer tools. Tim is actively involved in multimedia industry technology and standards discussions and is frequently asked to speak at international forums on multimedia technologies and trends. Tim has been a leader in the multimedia and ITV industries for over 18 years. His work history includes XAOS Tools, Philips/OptImage, and Commonwealth Edison.Sam Pemberton is President & CEO of California company Softel-USA, and as such is responsible for creating the vision and strategic direction for the company. Having worked for the UK-based Softel Group, in a number of pivotal strategic roles, Sam span off Softel-USA in 2001 to dedicate his energy to the Americas. Since start-up Softel-USA’s XDS division has become the de facto supplier of caption and XDS preparation technology for North America, as well as a leading supplier of transmission equipment to that sector. Meanwhile, Softel-USA’s iTV division has established a reputation for offering robust, reliable and yet visionary systems to the interactive television market. Sam holds Bachelor degrees in Computer Science and in Economics from Manchester (England) and an MBA from Reading (England). Having opened Softel-USA's Atlantic office in 2003, he lives in Darien, CT with his wife and son.
Colin Dixon is Executive Strategy Advisor to Alticast, Inc. In this role, he
advises Alticast on market strategy, business development and business alignment in the US market. He has held senior positions at companies such as Microsoft, Liberate and Oracle and is currently an Executive Consultant to the rich media industry. He has overseen the successful delivery of products such as Electronic Program Guides and Video Servers and created Interactive TV Games services and Broadcast Interactive Systems. In addition to his experience in the rich media industry, he has extensive experience in the communications, networking and network management industries working at companies such as Novell and Bay Networks. Mr. Dixon has a Masters Degree from the University of Florida and has post-graduate business education experience from Stanford. He is a published author.