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SET-TOP.COM Launches Internet TV Portal
SET-TOP.COM(TM) today announced the launch of its new Internet TV portal for WebTVÆ, Sega Dreamcastô, and other Internet-capable TV set-top boxes. The SET-TOP.COM portal provides search engines and links to games, sports, movies, and shopping sites that are designed for display on conventional TV sets. An advanced universal remote control unit developed by the San Diego-based company for WebTV set-top boxes provides access to SET-TOP.COM's TV HyperCodeô navigation system. This system ""channelizes"" the Internet, enabling viewers to surf the World Wide Web without using a keyboard. ""Internet via the TV is totally different from the Internet people access through personal computers; our new portal provides tools and directories specifically designed for these new Internet set-top appliances,"" noted SET-TOP.COM Co-Founder and President Jamison Ching, a veteran multimedia and digital TV executive whose experience includes stints at Sony and General Instrument. The use of a remote control unit to access Internet content is what Ching refers to as ""true lean back technology."" ""People can now access Made-for-TV(TM) Web entertainment literally lying down on the couch in front of their home TV sets,"" Ching observed. A chief feature of the patent-pending TV HyperCode navigation system is that it is more intuitive than other methods of Internet TV access. The user does not need to look up web addresses or specific channel numbers; rather he or she simply enters a relevant keyword or channel name on the remote's keypad. ""Millions of dollars have been spent to make brands such as HBO, ESPN, and MTV household names,"" said SET-TOP.COM's Co-Founder Tom Romero, a senior satellite TV marketing manager whose background includes various positions at General Instrument. ""Viewers now only need to spell out the brand name to seamlessly access either the Web site or TV channels of these highly-recognized content providers."" ""People use their TV primarily for entertainment purposes and they already use remote control units extensively. What we have done is to extend the functional use of the television to give viewers access to new entertainment outlets via the Internet not previously available to the home TV market,"" Romero said. At $29.95, the SET-TOP.COM Universal Remote Control includes 15 WebTV keyboard commands, the TV HyperCode keypad, and control for up to 4 devices including the WebTV set-top, TV, VCR, DVD player, cable and satellite set-top boxes. The units are available initially through the SET-TOP.COM online store at and will be available through retailers and distributors early next year. The product also will be advertised on the WebTV network as well as TV Online magazine. About SET-TOP.COM LLC. Headquartered in San Diego, California SET-TOP.COM is a leading innovator in the Internet Television industry. The company develops and markets set-top box products and services to a broad range of consumer and commercial markets. Founded in 1999 by executives from General Instrument, Sony and Motorola, SET-TOP.COM's flagship technologies include the SET-TOP.COM Internet TV Portal, the patent-pending TV HyperCode navigation system, and ""Click-For-TV"" banner advertising. SET-TOP.COM currently supports the WebTV and Sega Dreamcast platforms and is planning to provide future support for Liberate Technologies, Worldgate, ICTV, and other Internet-capable TV set-top platforms.