GMA unveils digital receiver prototype that transforms screens into smart TVs

Watching GMA News TV on the receiver

GMA New Media Inc. (NMI), the technology arm of GMA Network, has unveiled a prototype of its upcoming digital television product, which boasts not just a receiver for digital television but also a digital media set-top box.

Before an audience of digital marketers at the IMMAP Digiconn this week, GMA New Media President Judd Gallares demonstrated the upcoming product, which is expected to create a big splash for consumers with its unique combination of a DTV and over-the-top (OTT) media delivery platform.

Running apps with 24 Oras in the background.

In his demonstration, Gallares first showed the receiver showing the digital transmission from GMA-7 and GMA News TV. He then went on to demonstrate how the device turned the television into a smart TV that is able to play on-demand content and even run chat applications and games such as "Angry Birds."

The digital receiver also turns screens into smart TVs.

Gallares began with a presentation asking: "How does one reach the elusive millennial?" The development of the digital receiver, he said, is part of the network's strategy to attract that audience: "Hit them with content that they want, when they want it, where they already are."

He revealed that NMI has received a patent for its innovation. Digital TV receivers are currently available on the market, as are digital media set-top boxes running on the Android platform. However, there is currently no product in the Philippine market yet that combines both.

The patent certificate for the device

Prior to the demonstration, Gallares and NMI General Manager Dingdong Caharian outlined the company's long track record of success in tapping emerging technologies, noting how it pioneered the development of solutions for SMS TV and gaming in the country.

They also noted the importance of technology in delivering information to the online audience, noting how NMI's move to cloud-based solutions helped GMA News Online deliver real-time election results last May, leading to record page views.

According to data from Effective Measure for worldwide audience for the period May 9 to 11, GMA News Online recorded 109,802,626 page views — the highest number of page views for three consecutive days, a feat that has never been achieved by any local site to date.

They also highlighted research and development efforts of the group, which includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and beacon technology, that has been applied to service client needs under its spinoff agency, Digify Inc. —JST, GMA News