Simple navigation protocol for broadband media services

RSS-TV is an extensible markup language (XML)-based navigation protocol for Internet Media services based on the RSS standard. The adoption of RSS-TV enables video device manufacturers to develop applications to seamlessly navigate premium Internet video services. Example video devices include set top boxes, portable video players, game consoles, broadband-connected digital video disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs), portable video players and mobile phones. By implementing the RSS-TV protocol, these devices provide user access to a growing library of online media (video, audio, games) services.

RSS-TV is an extension of RSS and includes additional XML elements and attributes to enable Premium TV-centric features such as:

• Video On Demand (VOD) and Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD)
• Navigating media services (video, audio, games) in a hierarchical fashion
• Capturing user input (such as a user personal identification number (PIN), search query, or email) and automatic search suggestions.
• Network PVR functionality
• Secure download of HD content
• Electronic Program Guide for live streams
• Automatic language selection
• Numeric shortcuts for selecting menu items

Readers familiar with digital video broadcasting (DVB) can compare RSS-TV with the DVB Service Information standards developed in the 1990s for digital TV EPGs. The difference is that RSS-TV has been developed for two-way Internet Protocol (IP) networks rather than broadcasting networks. RSS TV leverages the increasing availability of products that support RSS such as caching engines and RSS-enabled content management and publishing systems.

RSS-TV compliant applications can be implemented using any language and operating system including AJAX/HTML, Flash, OpenTV, or C.  Similarly, service providers can use any web service technologies (Java, .NET, PHP) to build RSS-TV compliant services.