IPTV Technology Featured Article

Seeking to add new features to its mobile interactivity methods, Hong Kong-based Artificial Life, Inc., today released an enhanced version of its mobile TV technology platform, SMS Galaxy. This galaxy will be re-branded as MoPA-TV 3.0 and will provide new methods of interactivity that company officials say are now standard features of the product.

 

According to Artificial Life, MoPA-TV 3.0 features include: unlimited preset camera positions and paths; multi channel interaction; full 1080p HD optimized textures and mapping; detail management with 3D performance optimization; parameterized volumetric avatar spawning algorithms; automated scene graph selection in real time; and dynamic collision boundary checking.

 

MoPA-TV 3.0 first came into the picture through the use of SMS Galaxy for a Japanese television show that aired on TV ASAHI, according to the company. New updates and features were integrated during implementation for the show, which resulted in a refocus of SMS Galaxy’s product mission, company officials say. Multiple methods of live mobile interactivity for television shows are now provided worldwide through MoPA-TV 3.0. As a result, viewers can participate in ways other than text messaging alone, according to the company.

 

With MoPA-TV, users can configure pre-defined positions within the 3D scene that can be transitioned to smoothly or jumped to depending on the preference of the controller, according to the company. This comes with the free range 3D camera control provided by the joystick for orbiting and fly-throughs.

 

According to the company, the product also offers advanced avatar management tools, such as dynamic collision boundary checking to prevent objects from intersecting with one another. Text message interaction through MoPA-TV is supplemented by additional support of e-mail, mobile Web and online access for user participation, company officials say. The product supports over 500,000 concurrent live participants and replaces avatars furthest from the camera with lower polygon models in real time.

 

Eberhard Schoneburg, Artificial Life’s chief executive officer, said, “We are very excited about our success and the positive feedback we received for our first interactive mobile participation TV show in Japan, which aired the week of June 16 as a live, one-hour event on TV ASAHI. Several enhancements were made to SMS Galaxy in preparation for the show. We broadened the channels from which users can participate in our live TV show formats. Text messaging is no longer the only means of participation. It is now also possible to participate via mobile mail, WAP sites or mobile Internet access as well as through fixed line channels. Therefore, we have decided also to rename the product MoPA-TV 3.0 to reflect the more general use of our platform as a new interface for live mobile participation TV shows.”