MatrixStream Bringing IPTV to Vehicles

MatrixStream wants to bring IPTV to vehicle seat-backs with its MX-Drive technology, which it claims works over very low-bandwidth connections.

Video-on-demand and IPTV developer MatrixStream has announced that it’s getting into the in-vehicle entertainment business with its MX2 wireless touch screen IPTV terminal and its MX-Drive in-vehicle IPTV platform. The idea is to provide passengers both standard definition and high-definition content via the Internet—and MatrixStream claims the MX-drive platform will even operate over “very low bandwidth” conditions using the company’s Matrixcast technology.

“Whether you’re a business person who needs to keep up to date with the latest stock news or a parent who wants to keep your children occupied during extended road trips, the MX2 wireless terminal touch screen will keep car and minivan passengers tuned in all ride long,” said MatrixStream COO Robert Liu, in a statement.

MatrixStream hasn’t revealed any meaningful technical details about the MX2 in-vehicle panel, save to say it’s a software-based solution that can be configured wirelessly, and will offer a touch-screen interface for users to control content. The company claims to be teaming with “multiple vehicle manufacturers” to being the MX-Drive system to market, but did not name any partners; to date, no vehicle makers have announced plans to include MatrixStream technology as an option in their products.. MatrixStream views the MX-Drive system as part of it’s “quadruple play” for delivering IPTV content to PCs, set-top boxes, in-vehicle systems, and (soon, the company says) mobile phones.

In 2007, MatrixStream offered the MyTVPal set-top box, which the company claimed to be the first consume solution offering 1080p high-definition IPTV streaming content.