Rich Media Access Interface (RMAI)

Enhance the TV experience

Rich Media Access Interface (RMAI), an open TV middleware specifiction developed by ANT, provides a consistent approach in dealing with a variety of media sources and formats. The design philosophy underpinning RMAI is that an open, simple and consistent framework enables rapid development and deployment of TV applications, and that those applications should be both intuitive in behaviour, and consistent in their user interface. Although the design objectives were aggressive, ANT’s experience of “IPTV 1.0” led to the fundamental belief that a better approach was needed for the future of the TV experience, especially as convergence of different media sources was both inevitable and highly desirable. The result of a detailed and thorough analysis and design is RMAI.

DESIGN OBJECTIVES

• Remove the barriers (“silos”) between different media sources to enable

  • TV applications to be inherently capable of encompassing all available media sources

  • Maximum re-use of investment in porting, integration, knowledge and TV applications

  • Co-existence of traditional and new media sources and applications

• Ensure consistency of behaviour, function and presentation of TV applications across all supporting platforms

• Enable synergies with Web 2.0 development

  • Dynamic DOM modifications without server interaction produces better response time, more engaging designs and considerably enhances the scalability of a large deployment

  • Re-use of design techniques from modern web applications increases the pool of relevant developers, tools and practises

• Provide a powerful TV application structure to enable capabilities such as

  • Multiple simultaneously loaded and executing applications

  • A strong isolation barrier between applications

  • A support controlled application upgrade process

  • A security model with different privilege levels amongst simultaneously loaded and executing applications

THE RMAI ANSWER

ANT is confident that all the design objectives are achieved with the RMAI Specifications. Not only is RMAI an integral part of substantial commercial deployments, but many elements of RMAI have subsequently been incorporated within the HbbTV (www.hbbtv.org) and OIPF (www.oipf.tv) specifications – a strong testament to the approach adopted. Focussing on actions rather than type ensures the user is presented with a familiar and intuitive design wherever an application is used – whether IPTV, DVB, VOD, PVR or hybrid systems.

But don’t take our word for it – invite your architects to review the specifications and form an independent conclusion.

RMAI BENEFITS

The RMAI API offers a rich object model representing all the fundamental concepts familiar to the developer and the end user. These include low-level interfaces to streams and players and a high-level interface dealing with channels, programmes and recordings. Use of the higher-level APIs keeps application design as simple and as portable as possible.

RMAI provides the TV application developer with a consistent base set of APIs that enables them to write applications that can run in a range of deployment scenarios, avoiding the need to consider media formats, EPG data format, VOD catalogue server choices or delivery systems (such as IPTV, DVB-T and DVB-S). In common with the Document Object Model, RMAI functionality is divided into modules: Core, Channel, Guide, DVR, DVR Scheduling, VOD and Package Management.

CORE MODULE

Providing high level access to basic TV features:

• Basic media playback and management

• Receiver settings and user preferences

• Parental control

CHANNEL MODULE

Supporting named channels, regardless of the source:

• Access to high-level information about channels

• Management and filtering of channel lists

GUIDE MODULE

Providing information about programmes and EPG data, regardless of source:

• Access to high-level information about programmes

• Searching and querying of EPG data

• Asynchronous APIs means applications remain responsive

BASIC DVR MODULE

Providing low level APIs to support basic functionality:

• Basic recording and playback of media

• Time shifting of broadcast TV

DVR SCHEDULING MODULE

Extending the DVR functionality using features in the Channel and Guide modules:

• Schedule recordings based on EPG data

• Conflict detection and management

VOD MODULE

Providing access to VOD functionality, independent of the VOD head-end supplier:

• Browse and search VOD catalogues

• Purchase assets and subscribe to services

• View purchase history and current rentals

PACKAGE MANAGEMENT MODULE

A package is an application plus associated metadata such as title, version number, recommended memory allocation and supported presentation language. This module enables the downloading and storage of new applications, themes or UI languages.

• Supports applications signalled in the broadcast stream(s) such as “red button” applications.

For more information on RMAI email rmai@antplc.com