Universal Electronics Enhances Interactive STB Experience with New Remote/Keyboard Hybrid

written by: Richard Kastelein

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Published on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 09:25

Universal Electronics, a global leader in wireless control technology, today announced the new Fusion remote control platform that aims to make the new generation of media viewing and interaction with interactive set-top boxes (STBs) a breeze. Fusion is a modeless 3-device remote control with a completely integrated and full-featured QWERTY keyboard. The new remote is a perfect fit for digital set-top boxes with advanced search functions, web browsers or integrated social applications.

The Perfect Solution for Today's Connected Homes - "Fusion" platform brings the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard together with a 3-device remote control; perfect for searching, web browsing and social apps

With the expected growth in the number of IP-based STBs, the timing couldn't be better for Fusion. According to In-Stat research (October 2011), shipments of IP STBs in North American will grow 48% in 2012.

Fusion is designed to mesh seamlessly with traditional pay-TV user interfaces as well as to extend those capabilities into advanced content search, Internet browsing, gaming, and social media applications with its built-in keyboard. Fusion helps make it easier for service providers to bring additional features to subscribers that desire better content access and a more interactive TV experience.

"The number of features available on today's connected set-top boxes positions the Fusion perfectly as the ideal choice for control of these services. Fusion is a solution that is well-priced and directly in line with customer needs," says Lou Hughes, Senior Vice President of Subscription Broadcast for Americas. "Fusion brings the additional convenience of a full keyboard without negatively affecting the ergonomics, battery life, or usability of the typical remote control functions."

Fusion offers a host of user-friendly features that include:

1. Full HD-DVR STB and TV control, backed by the most comprehensive TV and audio universal infrared code library in the world;
2. Intelligent orientation detection to automatically activate and deactivate the keyboard simply flipping the remote over automatically activates/deactivates the text-entry feature;
3. Ergonomic design with a curved profile that is comfortable to hold with one or two hands depending on the activity (control & navigation and text-entry);
4. Keys that are contoured and intelligently laid out for quick and intuitive use;
5. UEI QuickSet 1.5 for complete automated set-up and replacement remote programming that requires no user input for TV brand/model information; and
6. UEI's Universal Application Programming Interface (UAPI) for seamless integration and scalability of advanced navigation and control features on the target platform.

Fusion is available in IR only or RF4CE/Universal IR versions giving operators the choice to support a range of system installations. The IR version is a cost-effective solution that is backward compatible with all known IR protocols including XMP.

"With so many different entertainment options available at the fingertips of today's consumer, it is imperative that the control device be extremely intuitive and allows easy access and control of the content, gaming, browsing, and social applications they are using," continues Hughes.