N2 Broadband, a leading provider of scalable, open-standard solutions for on-demand services, has announced that its OpenStream solution -- the industry's only complete, open (video on demand (VOD) platform for cable operators -- has been integrated with Gemstar-TV Guide International interactive programme guide (IPG).

An official release informs that the TV Guide Interactive IPG, reaching more than 10 million households in North America, provides TV viewers with comprehensive interactive programme guidance for digital cable and advanced digital services, such as VOD. N2 Broadband will be demonstrating this integrated solution at NCTA's National Show in Chicago. The event is taking place from 9-11 June.

N2 Broadband's OpenStream VOD platform uses published interfaces that tie together the components that make up a complete on-demand system, allowing for seamless integration between billing systems, video streaming servers, content and applications.

A press release says that the 'plug-and-play' environment, OpenStream, allows operators to select the best video streaming servers and applications, providing more choice for operators and significantly reducing integration time. OpenStream is a highly scalable system that supports cable operators of all sizes -- from small, growing cable systems to large systems with the highest volume of transactions.

OpenStream supports real-time billing activities and comes with a feature- rich, customised reporting tool that allows operators to more effectively manage, view and control the data that exists within their VOD network.

The OpenStream VOD platform is designed to support both Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta digital networks, and is compatible with video streaming servers from Broadbus Technologies, Concurrent Computer, InfoValue, Kasenna, Midstream Technologies, nCUBE, SeaChange and VideoPropulsion.

With this integration, all OpenStream-compliant video streaming servers are compatible with the latest TV Guide Interactive on demand guide, which offers powerful marketing benefits to MSOs, including a flexible menu system with multiple VOD access points and virtually unlimited category tiering, flexible packaging and pricing, and MSO video promotion.

OpenStream provides an abstracted interface that allows the TV Guide Interactive IPG to port seamlessly into an environment that has any combination of video streaming servers, billing vendor and broadband network. Consistent with the OpenStream philosophy, TV Guide Interactive can run its VOD-enabled guide independent of the server and billing system with no custom integration work required.

Gemstar-TV Guide Interactive programme guide products are integrated into various devices, including televisions, VCRs and set- top boxes (cable, satellite, telco, Internet). They can display a multi-day television programme guide on the television screen from which the consumer can view TV listings and programme information, tune to programs and use interactive features including programme reminders and parental control options.