uC21: Data Driven UI Design Leads to Excellent UX

We’re thrilled to announce a new edition of UniqCast’s video service delivery platform uC21! 

This edition brings improvements on both ends - client side and backend.  On the client side we focused on functionalities that enhance user experience and give the operators the flexibility to adjust and manage UI according to their marketing strategies. A lot of attention has been given to content presentation, content discovery and abilities for operators to highlight specific titles. We added support for additional performance and monitoring solutions that can provide crucial data for making decisions and creating service related strategies. Backend integrations include additional CDN platform and increased functional support for the leading DRM solutions. 

In a nutshell, we focused on extending the ability to design and manage UIs while providing crucial operational data to make informed decisions for the operators. 

STB Enhancements

Channel lists

A well-crafted channel list is the digital equivalent of a TV guide, serving as a crucial gateway to content discovery. Its design and organization significantly impact the overall user experience. A visually appealing and intuitive channel list enhances content discoverability, making it easy for users to find their preferred channels or explore new offerings. Beyond aesthetics, functionality is paramount; clear categorization, search options, and visual cues improve navigation. A beautifully designed channel list also contributes to user engagement by creating an immersive and enjoyable experience, encouraging exploration. 

uC21 includes

• Improved channel list presentation and navigation: We added a navigation option to browse channels as a circular Channel List.

DVB

Hybrid DVB/OTT set-top boxes offer a compelling solution for delivering both live and on-demand content. These devices seamlessly combine the reliability of traditional DVB broadcasting for live channels with the flexibility and scalability of IP-based OTT streaming for on-demand content. A key advantage lies in their resilience; should a DVB signal be interrupted, the set-top box can seamlessly transition to IP streaming, ensuring uninterrupted service for the viewer. This hybrid approach not only enhances the viewer experience but also provides operators with a robust and adaptable platform. Moreover, the integration of conditional access (CAS) systems within the DVB domain is crucial for protecting content and ensuring authorized access, making it a vital component of hybrid set-top box technology.

uC21 includes

• Extended device support: We integrated additional STB models from SDMC with Irdeto CAS support.
• Streaming resilience: We improved DVB-OTT failover source recovery mechanism with periodic DVB signal quality checks.

Security and Usage Notifications

Protecting user data and content from piracy are fundamental challenges. Employing robust digital rights management (DRM) systems is crucial to encrypt content and restrict unauthorized access. Additionally, platforms must implement stringent security measures during online user registration to safeguard personal information. This includes robust password encryption, secure data storage, and protection against unauthorized access.

Data usage notifications are an essential component of a user-friendly OTT service. Transparent information about data consumption, empowers users to make informed decisions about their streaming habits. Real-time data usage tracking allows users to monitor their consumption and adjust streaming quality or content selection accordingly. Additionally, platforms can implement data saving features, such as lower quality options or download capabilities, to provide flexibility and control to users.

uC21 includes

• Enhanced piracy protection: We added OTT fingerprint support for targeted messages 
• Secure registration: We introduced IP Login enforcement option to notify offline subscribers and enforce online registration.
• Usage notifications: We added a notice option before users open third-party apps to inform them of potential data charges.

UI and Functional Enhancements

A well-designed user interface serves as the digital face of the brand, influencing user perception and loyalty. Consistent with the operator's brand identity, the interface should be visually appealing and intuitive, guiding users effortlessly through the platform. Ensuring optimal performance across a diverse range of devices, from smartphones to smart TVs, is crucial for a seamless user experience. Flawless video streaming, with options for various resolutions and bitrates, is essential. Additionally, the inclusion of features like subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and closed captioning enhances accessibility and caters to a broader audience. A user-centric interface that prioritizes ease of use and content discovery is key to driving user satisfaction and engagement.

uC21 includes

• Brand enhancement: We added configuration option for the topbar logo to stay there while scrolling rails.
• Flexible subtitles: We added support for TTX subtitles on multicast streams for Android STB. This is especially useful for people with hearing disabilities.
• Optimized devices: We added performance and visual improvements for specific SEI and SDMC HDMI dongles.
• Improved video display:  We added dynamic screen margin adjustment to offset overscanning on TV devices.
• Resilience for network conditions: We added support for caching content card images to enhance performance on devices with limited or unstable network connections.
• Support for low-performance devices:  We introduced ultra-low performance mode for devices with limited CPU and memory availability.

Performance, Quality Monitoring and Other Integrations

Performance and quality monitoring of STB and other devices are essential for delivering a seamless OTT streaming experience. By closely tracking device behavior, operators can identify and address issues promptly. Robust error reporting mechanisms are crucial for pinpointing technical problems, allowing for swift resolution and minimizing user frustration. Additionally, client app monitoring provides valuable insights into user interactions, enabling the optimization of the user interface and content recommendations. Comprehensive statistics on streaming quality, buffering events, and playback errors offer a holistic view of service performance, guiding decisions on network infrastructure and content delivery optimizations. 

In addition to performance and quality enhancements, uC21 introduces important improvements in advertising integration, subscriber management, and TV store functionalities, providing operators with enhanced tools for revenue generation, customer retention, and content monetization.

uC21 includes

• Performance and quality monitoring: We added integration with Firebase Crashlytics for improved error reporting and integration with NPAW Youbora for statistics and client app monitoring.
• Advertisement integration: We added Integration of proprietary UAST XML-based protocol for the presentation of non-video ads within available non-linear ad zones.
• Subscriber management and TV Store enhancements: We introduced enhanced subscriber management and TV store capabilities, including the ability to block content or purchases for subscribers with overdue payments while still allowing application access. A dedicated billing information section provides transparency for both postpaid and prepaid users, while operators gain flexibility in purchase and deactivation processes through PIN-less options. The platform also supports customized product presentation and offers new opportunities for upselling by showcasing available products alongside live channels.

Mobile, Web and SmartTV Apps Enhancements

Tailoring the User Experience

The flexibility of OTT platforms empowers operators to create highly customized and engaging user interfaces. Features like the ability to organize channels into distinct categories enhance content discoverability. Tailoring the user experience further, font configuration options allow for precise branding and visual harmony. In this release we put a special focus on the live preview screen that plays a pivotal role in enabling users to quickly assess content before committing to full playback. 

The UI design and its management can be challenging tasks. A centralized management of dashboards, footers, and navigation menus through the CSMS administration portal can significantly optimize the design process and ensure consistency across the platform.

uC21 includes

• All Channels page:  We added a new page presenting all channels organized in different category rails.
• Fonts: We adde configuration option allowing the definition of specific Google fonts within the app UI.
• Change control: We added player screen control lock to prevent unintentional changes.
• Updated live preview screen: We added opacity on EPG Preview player, moved the full-screen icon to the bottom and included the mute button to live preview content view.

UI Information Flow and Control

UI information flow and control are fundamental to crafting engaging OTT interfaces. By carefully managing the presentation and accessibility of information, platforms can guide users effortlessly through the offered content. Landing pages serve as initial touchpoints, guiding users towards optimal platforms or content. Features like reminders enhance user engagement by enabling them to schedule notifications for desired programs. Content share options empower users to extend their enjoyment by sharing favorite shows or movies with friends and family across various social channels, expanding the platform's reach and influence.

uC21 includes

• Landing pages: We added landing pages to the web applications that give users easy access to mobile versions of the same app. In general mobile apps offer easier navigation and better responsiveness than their web counterparts.    
• Persistent reminders: We added the ability for users to set reminders for EPG content with push notifications if the app is not open and in-app reminders if it is.
• Deep linking: This new option allows users to land on any specific screen or content within the app.
• Content sharing:  We added an option on mobile, enabling users to share content from the application by sending links or posting custom messages with links to social networks.
• Content discovery: We added episodes bookmarks rail on the dashboard to access previous TV series episode bookmarks.

Subscriber Management and Other Integrations

When subscriber management is centralized in an external CRM system, the OTT platform becomes a seamless extension of this core functionality. Effective integration between the two systems is paramount. This involves the exchange of subscriber data, including registration, billing, and entitlement information via provided APIs. The OTT platform must accurately reflect subscriber status, such as active, paused, or blocked, based on CRM updates. Additionally, the platform should be able to initiate actions within the CRM, like triggering dunning processes or provisioning new services, in response to user interactions. A robust integration ensures a unified view of the subscriber across both systems. 

Integrating OTT platforms with performance and quality monitoring systems provides real-time insights into service performance, enabling operators to identify and address issues promptly. By tracking key metrics such as buffering rates, video quality, and device compatibility, platforms can optimize content delivery and network infrastructure. Moreover, integrating with crash reporting tools helps pinpoint software bugs and improve application stability.

OTT Services that leverage advertising as a revenue stream, require integration of OTT platforms with ad serving systems. By adopting standards like UAST XML, platforms can efficiently manage and deliver non-video ad placements within their content. Furthermore, integrating VAST extensions enhances ad targeting, measurement, and reporting capabilities. These integrations optimize ad delivery, improve user experience, and maximize advertising revenue for both platform operators and advertisers.

uC21 includes

• Subscriber management and TV Store enhancements: We introduced significant enhancements to subscriber management and TV store functionalities within proprietary CRM integrations. These include a customizable registration layer with OTP login options, a dedicated rail for suspended products, simplified purchase and deactivation processes without requiring a PIN, and improved user management with external link handling for deletions and a convenient forget password feature accessible from the login page.
• Performance and quality monitoring: Just as with STBs, we also improved performance and quality monitoring capabilities with mobile apps through integrations with Firebase Crashlytics for comprehensive error reporting, NPAW Youbora for in-depth statistics and client app monitoring, and Firebase Cloud Messaging for sending push notifications.
• Advertisement Integrations: We introduced advanced advertising capabilities, including integration of a proprietary UAST XML-based protocol for non-video ad placement and VAST extensions with enhanced event tracking for targeted ad campaigns and in-depth analytics.

Backend

Device, Content and Subscriber management

Centralized control over devices through a CSMS system empowers operators to efficiently manage and monitor the subscriber base. By providing tools for device provisioning, configuration, and troubleshooting, CSMS systems optimize operations and enhance service delivery. Additionally, these systems enable operators to remotely update device software, address security vulnerabilities, and optimize performance. 

On the content side, the CSMS system enables efficient content lifecycle management. From content ingestion and metadata creation to rights management, scheduling, and distribution, the CSMS serves as the central hub for orchestrating content delivery. CSMS empowers operators to present engaging content by providing mechanisms for content categorization, search optimization, and performance analytics. 

Furthermore, the CSMS system provides extensive subscriber management. By integrating with CRM systems and payment gateways, the CSMS enables efficient subscriber acquisition, onboarding, and lifecycle management. Key functionalities include account creation, profile management, subscription management, billing, and customer support interactions. The CSMS also ensures compliance with data privacy regulations and provides valuable analytics on subscriber behavior, empowering operators to make data-driven decisions.

uC21 includes

• Device management: We added support for definition of device-specific payment options.
• Content management: Search mechanism now allows queries by description and metadata for movies, series, and episodes.
• Subscriber management: We introduced significant enhancements to subscriber management and TV store functionalities within proprietary CRM integrations, including expanded registration, billing, and user management options, support for dunning processes and handling, TV store CRM deactivation capabilities, an extended CRM integration layer with automated provisioning, and improved serial number login with enhanced logging for login/refresh routes.

A Responsive EPG

A responsive Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is a cornerstone of a successful OTT service. It serves as a virtual window into the content library, and its performance directly impacts user experience and retention. Fast loading times are essential to maintain user engagement, preventing frustration and churn. Moreover, the ability to present rich metadata, including show images, significantly enhances content discoverability. A visually appealing and informative EPG empowers viewers to effortlessly navigate the program schedule, making informed decisions about what to watch. 

uC21 includes

• Reduced processing time: EPG Image download mechanism is separated from EPG Import to reduce EPG source processing time.
• Faster data access: Channel and show images are stored in a KeyDB cluster for faster access.
• Reduced data traffic: EPG Channels and shows are hashed per language for efficient EPG grid fetching, allowing Client Devices to detect EPG show changes without re-fetching the entire grid.

Support for Standardized DRM Solutions

Operators ensure compatibility across a broad range of devices, simplifying content protection and distribution by adopting de-facto standardized DRM solutions. These solutions also simplify content protection, as they offer robust encryption and key management capabilities. Additionally, standardized DRM often includes features like multi-platform support, dynamic license delivery, and advanced anti-piracy measures, enhancing content security and reducing the risk of revenue loss for the operator. 

An example of such a de-facto standard is Content Protection Information Exchange Format (CPIX). CPIX is a standardized method for securely exchanging encryption keys and DRM information. This format is crucial for protecting stream and VOD content by providing a structured way to manage and distribute encryption keys among various entities involved in content delivery. By ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of encryption keys, CPIX helps to prevent unauthorized access and protect content from piracy, safeguarding the interests of content owners and distributors.

uC21 includes

• CPIX format: We added support for Content Protection Information Exchange Format (CPIX) for encrypting stream and VOD content. This feature also allows easier integrations with external CDN platforms.

Integrations with CDN Solutions

Integrating OTT platforms with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) is crucial for delivering streaming services outside the operator's own infrastructure. CDNs optimize content delivery by distributing it across multiple servers worldwide, reducing latency and buffering. This results in improved video quality and faster load times for the users. By offloading content delivery to CDNs, OTT operators can focus on core platform functionalities while ensuring reliable and scalable streaming services. Additionally, CDNs provide valuable insights into network performance and user behavior, enabling operators to make data-driven decisions to enhance their offerings.

uC21 includes

Broadpeak integration: We added a robust integration with Broadpeak CDN Manager, enabling seamless management of live, timeshift, CUTV and NPVR streams, VOD ingest and link generation, Broadpeak JWT token creation, and dynamic bandwidth control through the Content Manager.