Imtech Marine has developed an IPTV-based crew entertainment solution for the offshore and merchant marine market. IPTV offers interactive multimedia services such as television, video, audio, text and graphics delivered over IP based networks. The RH IPTV system allows the crew to put the job aside and relax just as they would in their own living room; watch television, play a movie or listen to their favorite music.
The systems consists of SAT TV streamers that convert satellite TV broadcasts into an IP format and an RH IPTV server which provides all streaming Video on Demand and Music on Demand content from its hard discs. Users can access the system from their TV screen, which is connected to a Linux-powered set-top box. The user operates the system with a remote control that allows him to browse TV channels, select a video or play music.
The system has multilingual support for international crews on board of merchant marine vessels and in the offshore industry. Multiple users can login to a set-top box, so even when crew members are sharing a cabin, they can store their own playlists and settings. Administration of the systems is done with a web interface and content can be uploaded either manually or using mass import when a large number of files need to be imported. IPTV can be supplied along with a subscription service that offers 90 movies every three months. For remote access and troubleshooting, the system can be integrated with Imtech Marine Connect VSAT solutions, allowing maintenance to the system even when the vessel is still at sea.