Intercom integration in IPTV with WindyCast

In the release of Smarty 2.6, we introduced the integration of the intercom into IPTV, developed jointly with the digital operator Sevstar, our partner from Sevastopol, which since 2020 develops services based on the Smarty platform.
As a result of our collaboration, a new convenient feature has appeared: now operators can offer subscribers to take calls from the intercom directly on the TV, see a guest through a video sequence from the camera and control the door using a TV remote.

How does it work?

When a call is received from the intercom, the billing system Sevstar sends a notification through the updated WindyCast service to the set-top box or Smart TV. After that, a pop-up window appears on the screen over any content with the possibility of:

• Open the door (via the API request to the intercom).
• Reject the call (Do not disturb mode).
• See the guest through updated images from the intercom camera (in the Sevstar-X template)

Intercom interface in IPTV Smarty 2. 6

Sevstar-X Interface

In the proprietary template Sevstar-X implemented full integration:

• Live video from the intercom camera — you see the guest in real time
• Popap with intuitive control buttons
• Automatic concealment of notification at a given interval 
• Continuous viewing — window appears on top of any content

Incoming call template Sevstar X

Most importantly, the Sevstar, Futuristic and Futuristic X templates feature a simplified version of integration — with text notification and basic control buttons. This solution allows you to run the functionality of the intercom even on low-performance client devices. Examples of interfaces:

Incoming Sevstar template challenge

Incoming Futuristic X template challenge

Technical capabilities

Showing instant notifications from the intercom is only possible on custom devices that support WebSocket — technology; this includes most modern set-top boxes and Smart TVs. 

The service requires WindyCast — a service that provides instant notification delivery to subscribers' devices. To deploy WindyCast, we recommend using a separate server — this will protect the main instance of Smarty from additional load.

Details about the installation we tell in instruction.

Advantages for operators:

Increasing the value of the core service
Television becomes not just entertainment, but part of the smart home infrastructure, which increases its importance for subscribers.

Increasing subscriber loyalty
The practical use of an intercom in IPTV helps retain customers — the ability to see a guest on a TV screen and open a door becomes a daily necessity.

What about the operator?

A detailed review of the idea and technical implementation of the project is shared by Vyacheslav Kuleshov, head of Sevstar TV:

“In the framework of the implementation of the product strategy of Sevstar, aimed at integrating a large number of eco-systema services into the main products of the Internet and TV, we were developed by us, the concept of the products of Domophonia and Sevstar TV.” The idea was that all the subscribers with a digitized domophon from Sevstar received the opportunity to open their domophone directly from the control panel, without getting up from the divan when watching the transfers and content in the Southstar TV. We have a lot to do with it, and we have a lot to do with it, and we have a lot to do with it, and we have to do with it.
We have a lot to do with it, and we have a lot to do with it, and we have a lot to do with it. We made it through a series of pictures in JPG, and we made a series of pictures in JPG. You see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you see, you don't. When we hear the word of God, we hear the word of God, and we hear the word of God, and we hear the word of God.
For other operators, this function is the function & # 8212; an excellent opportunity for us to promote our digital domophones among subscribers of TV, and among subscribers of domophones & # 8212; your TV. We have all of them on our side, and we have all of them on our side.
When we are in the midst of the darkness, we are in the midst of the darkness, and we are in the midst of the darkness. We have a lot to share with you, we have a lot to share with you, and we have a lot to share with you.

Development prospects

As part of the integration of TV — the application and the intercom operator system, we used Windycast as a component that allows you to instantly notify the user that the doorbell rang. 

At the same time, we plan not to stop there and gradually enrich the platform with new capabilities associated with instant data transfer between devices and systems. 

As a next step, our roadmap has already got the integration of Windycast with mass messaging in Smarty, which in the future will allow operators to send messages to subscribers from the admin with minimal delay.

Want to see how IPTV intercom integration works?

Order a demo of the Sevstar X template with the already configured intercom functionality. Fill out the form below and we will show you all the options in action.