Pace, Ucentric Partner

By Susan Rush
from BroadbandWeek Direct, April 30, 2002

Pace Micro Technology and Ucentric Systems are combining their muscle in the digital entertainment market. The companies are teaming to deliver digital entertainment via a wireline or wireless home network.

Pace will integrate its digital home gateway technology with Ucentric's media distribution software platform and applications. The companies say the partnership will enable the delivery of multi-TV video-on-demand, multi-TV personal video recording functionality, multi-speaker digital music and shared Internet access throughout a home.

The companies contend that adding these services to a cable operator's portfolio will beef up revenue streams and reduce churn.

In October 2001, Ucentric added personal video recording technology to its home networking software platform. The company's scalable home-networked PVR technology enables users to record, pause and rewind live programs, watch one program while recording up to two others and browse programming up to 14 days in advance with an option to record selected shows even remotely, from outside the house.

Four cable operators are currently participating in home networking trials with Ucentric.