NEW DELHI, INDIA: Smart Digivision, Myway IPTV service provider, is planning to provide a PC enabled set-top-box using which IPTV subscribers will be able to enjoy broadband service on their TV.

“The STB that we are using at present is like a mini-computer. It has a processor, ram, Linux OS and a USB port. The next model of STB that we are going to provide will have 1GHz processor,” said explained Kapil Dev Kumar, chief operating officer, Smart Digivision in an interaction with CIOL.

“Then, we are already using Internet protocol for our service. Thus a TV is already connected to Internet through our STB. In the upcoming models we are going to add the right kind of application that will help users to either watch TV or use it as PC. People will be able to use broadband service through our STB,” he added.

Smart Digivision has plans to get the new models of STB with 1GHz processing power by March 2010. Apart from applications and configuration of STB, the company is working on to improve output of its STB that can be compatible in both PC and TV viewing environment.

“PC typically starts output of 800 x 600 lines resolution. However, current HD output is quite lower than that, 720 x 576 resolution, which is not good as per PC experience. We need to have HD box along with increased processing power. When the customer will boot on to our service, he will have the option that whether he wants to run it as PC or TV,” added Kumar.

Customers using Myway STB will have option to have a local storage by their own arrangement and they can also opt for virtual storage on Smart Digivison’s server which will be paid space.

In the next couple of months Myway subscribers will be able to record live program on local storage device or on virtual storage space without having to change their existing STB.

“For recording live programs, our subscriber will just need to plug-in their storage device to the USB port and store the program. The existing STB are ready with this function and in couple of months we will be activating this service,” said Kumar.

By the end of this month, Myway subscribers will be able to check their Gmail account on their TV.

Smart Digivision has tie-up with BSNL and MTNL for providing IPTV service to their customers. The company has agreement with BSNL and MTNL to provide IPTV service in 54 cities and has 6000 subscribers. At present Smart Digivison is focusing on existing customers and has no plans to expand in other cities.

“We got tremendous response for IPTV connections. We are just managing existing customers and demands that are coming. We will decide to expand after we complete our all arrangements in the existing cities,” said Kumar.

There are more than 120 millions household that have TV in India. As per an estimate Indian market is witnessing approximately 6 million STB per annum. If STB can connect TV with broadband then it will be easy for India to increase broadband penetration in India.

However, Smart Digivison has target to acquire 5 per cent market share of pay TV in the next five years, which would be close to 3 million only.