What is Open Cable™ Platform OCAP

The OpenCable Platform specification defines a Java-based middleware software layer enabling interactive television service and application developers to "write" products once and see them run successfully on any cable television system, independent of set-top or television receiver hardware or operating system software. This interoperability enables manufacturers to build and to sell retail digital devices capable of supporting all cable services that are now delivered to leased set-top boxes, as well as future cable services offered by the cable operator, all without the need for a set-top box.

The specific OpenCable Platform specification that defines this middleware layer is known as the OpenCable Application Platform, or OCAP. The consumer-facing brand name for services that run on the OpenCable Platform is known as "tru2way". Initial roll-out is underway. Full-scale deployment is likely to occur during 2008.

OCAP was developed by CableLabs with a number of the cable operating companies and software firms. OCAP 1.0 Profile is based on the MHP middleware standard version 1.0.3. OCAP is consistent with the DVB Globally Executable MHP (GEM) specification, 1.0.2, meaning that GEM-compliant applications will run on OCAP middleware.

For further information see the CableLabs web site at www.opencable.com