NOVI SAD (Serbia) and MANISA (Turkey), November 18th 2010. After their first colaborative project - VESTA, announced in January 2010, RT-RK Computer Based Systems and Vestel participate in another EUREKA project: SKYBOX - Hands-free audio and video communication with TV compatible device.

Skybox project aims for the development of the integrated solution for full-duplex hands-free audio and video communication. Targeted videophone functionality will be part of the standard TV set with usage of Skybox add-on device. With Skybox, user can watch TV program and talk to the far-end speaker in parallel without any restriction about his position in the front of the TV receiver.

Skybox add-on device is equipped with video camera and microphone array from the user interface side and will be connected to the TV set through the USB or HDMI interface. Skybox will be also capable to work in a stand-alone mode as a video phone for 3G network.

Main features of the Skybox are comfortable hands-free video communication, superior sound quality through TV loudspeakers and simultaneous watch of the TV broadcast program. Additionaly, Skybox system (TV set + SkyBox + 3G modem) provides web browsing functionality enhancing overall multimedia experience. Any user will be able to watch TV program, initiate or answer the video phone call, chat, browse various Internet content and so on, using only one remote controller.

RT-RK Software Engineers will be involved in Hardware design and production, Software development for both TV receiver and Skybox module. Vestel Electronics will provide the support and all necessary inputs during the project implementation, equipment and components during PCB layout design and production phase of the Skybox module. In order to give the highest quality support whenever it is needed, the experts from RT-RK and Vestel Electronics will visit each others for joint onsite work and regular project meetings.

More details about SKYBOX project can be found at official Eureka web site: http://www.eurekanetwork.org/project/-/id/5825

EUREKA was established in Paris on July 1985 to challenge the increasing migration of R&D and industrial innovation to Asian and North-American countries. Since its inception, substantial public and private funding has been mobilised to support the research and development carried out within the EUREKA framework. It now unites 38 member countries that promote international, market-oriented research and innovation through the support they offer to small and medium-sized enterprises, large industry, universities and research institutes. Through EUREKA, these organisations are introducing new products, processes and services to market, helping make Europe economically strong and socially sound.

Vestel is the largest consumer electronics ODM/OEM company in Europe. It has 25% and 18% market share for CRT TVs and FPD TVs in Europe, respectively. The primary focus of R&D activities was related to platform digitalization, high-definition, mobility and connectivity. The main areas of expertise are: Video Enhancement, Audio & Video Data Systems, Multimedia Compression, Mobiles and Portables, Multimedia Connectivity, Wireless, Set Top Boxes (STBs), Integrated Digital Televisions (iDTVs), Digital Television Recorders (DTRs), and Combo products (DVD+DTT).