Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) is using the annual IBC show in Amsterdam to show off its set-top box prowess. But instead of putting its Moxi user interface for STBs in the spotlight, the company is emphasizing its hybrid and all-IP set-tops for the international market.

The wide variety of set-tops on display for Arris is a mark of its inheritance from the recent Motorola acquisition. Arris demonstrated two wireless IP boxes -- one DVB-C/IP hybrid video gateway with 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and one VDSL2+ gateway currently used by AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) for U-verse TV.

Notably, of the two wireless set-tops highlighted, not only is Moxi not a factor, but two other software platforms are front and center. The Arris VIP2502W uses Mediaroom middleware -- recently acquired by Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC) from Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) -- while the VIP1113W runs on the KreaTV operating system. (See Ericsson Closes Mediaroom Acquisition and Moto: No Android Here.)

Motorola bought Kreatel back in 2006 for its KreaTV set-tops and software. The software is an open, Linux-based platform able to integrate with a "wide variety of VOD, middleware, and conditional access systems."

Arris also took the opportunity at IBC to announce a win with Swedish operator Telenor Group (Nasdaq: TELN) for its VIP2853 set-tops. The boxes for Telenor also run on the KreaTV platform, and support broadcast TV, video on demand, interactive applications, and over-the-top services. An optional DVR module plugs in as needed.

— Mari Silbey, special to Light Reading Cable