Opera Software has optimized its web browser for IP-STBs (Internet protocol set-top boxes) and other embedded Linux systems with television displays. Opera's “TV Rendering” (TVR) technology cleans up pixelation and problematic colors, it says, to bring a “full Web” experience to IP-STB and iTV (Internet television) users.

Opera also markets rendering technologies that optimize its Opera browser for small- and medium-sized displays.

According to Opera, TVR focuses on pixelation and problematic colors, adapting different elements individually to suit TV screens while leaving fonts, colors, design, and style “virtually untouched.”

Market research firm InStat/MDR predicted in late August that the market for IP-STBs will reach $700M by 2008, up from virtually zilch in 2003. ABI, meanwhile, estimates that the market for IP-STBs will grow at a rate six times faster than that for digital cable STBs in the next three years, worldwide.

CEO Jon S. von Tetzchner said, “Full Web access on TVs will soon be a requirement from consumers. The Internet is ready to transform the broadcasting industry.”

Opera says it has already interested partner Equator in supplying Opera and TVR with its Linux-based StarFish, Tetra, and Dolphin hardware/software reference designs.

 
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