IdeaNova Technologies, a provider of secure video streaming products and engineering services. has partnered with Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI), a specialist in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems, to integrate two cutting-edge connected cabin solutions that can keep passengers entertained.
SPI’s RAVE IFE system, combined with IdeaNova’s Inplay Edge technology, delivers an IPTV experience that supports both live TV and Video-on-Demand (VOD) content. The system enables passengers to rewind live broadcasts to relive favorite sporting moments or catch up with live events. It also enables seamless transitioning from live broadcast to DVR content, configured to be stored in local cache.
Caching is provided by Inplay Edge, which provides configurable storage for DVR content and optimises bandwidth usage. The companies say this all while ensuring high-quality streaming, efficient content caching, and robust Digital Rights Management (DRM) for secure and offline-ready entertainment.
“IPTV combines the benefits of watching live content and DVR content. With its ability to seamlessly transition between live and DVR it offers passengers quick review of ‘just played scene’ (e.g. a goal being scored) or a complete review of previous events (e.g. games or previously broadcasted TV),” stated Juraj Siska, CEO of IdeaNova Technologies. “With Inplay Edge, it provides intelligent, standard compliant caching with ability to leverage single connectivity to pull content to a local server for subsequent viewing.”
Both live and DVR content is accessible from SPI’s seatback IFE displays, which have been configured to transition from the VOD to this IPTV feature. The system also comes with a configurable interface for managing cache options such as disk space allocation, cache cleaning, and per-channel DVR configuration.
User-generated and YouTube content
The second technology from the collaboration is Inplay Flow for YouTube Content, which enables passengers to mirror and cast YouTube videos directly to SPI seatback IFE screens. This feature creates a personalised experience, enabling passengers to access and enjoy their favourite content during flight. Passengers can also share user-generated pictures and videos that are stored on their personal devices.
Juraj Siska stated that he sees opportunities for the system beyond YouTube and user-generated content. “We believe this product will become essential for all connected (and even disconnected) aircraft in the future,” he said.
