From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Java library
The
OpenCable Application Platform
, or
OCAP
, is an
operating system
layer designed for
consumer electronics
that connect to a
cable television
system, the
Java
-based
middleware
portion of the platform. Unlike operating systems on a
personal computer
, the cable company controls what OCAP programs run on the consumer's machine. Designed by
CableLabs
for the cable networks of North America, OCAP programs are intended for interactive services such as
eCommerce
,
online banking
,
Electronic program guides
, and
digital video recording
. Cable companies have required OCAP as part of the
Cablecard
2.0 specification, a proposal that is controversial and has not been approved by the
Federal Communications Commission
. Cable companies have stated that two-way communications by third party devices on their networks will require them to support OCAP.
[1]
The
Consumer Electronics Association
and other groups argue OCAP is intended to block features that compete with cable company provided services and that consumers should be entitled to add, delete and otherwise control programs as on their personal computers.
[2]
On January 8, 2008 CableLabs announced
[3]
the
Tru2Way
brand for the OpenCable platform, including OCAP as the application platform.
Technical overview
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]
OCAP is the
Java
based software/middleware portion of the OpenCable initiative. OCAP is based on the
Globally Executable MHP
(GEM)-standard, and was defined by
CableLabs
. Because OCAP is based on GEM, it has a lot in common with the
Multimedia Home Platform
(MHP)-standard defined by the
DVB
project.
At present two versions of the OCAP standard exist:
See also
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References
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External links
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