The ASSET Architecture: Integrating Media Applications and Broadcasting Products in a Unified Model and Framework

To design and develop an Architectural Solution for Services Enhancing digital Television is the goal of the ASSET project. This European funded project gathers eight partners (Compaq-HP Group, THOMSON, Dalet a.n.n, INESC Porto, INRIA, Institut fuer Rundfunktechnik, Front Porch Digital International, SHS Multimedia) to create a universal and unified system architecture that shall greatly improve interoperability in broadcasting environments. The implementation of this solution will indeed make integration of different proprietary systems and media applications much easier. This paper outlines the ASSET architecture, describes some key-concepts of the ASSET framework and presents the prototype currently under development.