STMicroelectronics and HDIC Joint Venture Releases Complete DVB-MHP Compliant Middleware Supporting International and Chinese Markets

STMicroelectronics and HDIC Joint Venture Releases Complete DVB-MHP Compliant Middleware Supporting International and Chinese Markets

BEIJING, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), the world's largest supplier of silicon devices for set-top boxes (STBs)*, today announced that its affiliate company Shanghai-BMC -- a joint venture between ST and Jiaotong University subsidiary HDIC -- has released its complete DVB-MHP compliant middleware solution for TV STBs intended for the international market, including Chinese operators.

Set-top box middleware is an embedded software solution, rather like a PC operating system, that enables operators to run the same applications on STBs from different manufacturers, regardless of the underlying hardware. Typical interactive STB applications include Electronic Program Guide (EPG), customer care software, games, weather display, e-commerce, enhanced TV and interactive advertising.

Digital Video Broadcasting -- Multimedia Home Platform, DVB-MHP, is an open standard that utilizes a common Java-based API for digital set-top boxes. DVB-MHP is an open and non-proprietary standard, allowing service providers to build solutions formed by the best of each supplier's products, both hardware and software. It prevents vendor lock-in and provides a flexible way to expand systems and service offerings, and help to manage long-term system maintenance. Applications developed for DVB-MHP can be authored once and run seamlessly on any DVB-MHP-compliant set-top box, regardless of the box manufacturer, content or delivery method -- terrestrial, cable or satellite. According to the latest DVB-MHP update, countries like Italy, South Korea, Finland, Germany and Spain have adopted this interactive platform.

The MBT ('Media Beacon Tower') System Technology TV middleware has been developed over several years by HDIC, alongside its head-end solution for use by TV operators, and has been enhanced and brought to market by the S-BMC joint venture. The MBT system is compliant with the DVB-MHP open standard, provides high performance and is reliable, with minimal footprint, and it can be embedded into DVB-T/C/S and IPTV STBs.

MBT middleware provides TV operators with exceptional flexibility in enabling them to run multiple Java applications -- with complex interactivity where required -- and with the ability to download new applications and new software versions using the DSM-CC (Digital Storage Media Command and Control) Data Carousel and Object Carousel protocols. In addition its open interface with the device drivers simplifies the development of third party applications that add value to the package. The middleware supports multiple standards 'out of the box,' against the single-standard HTML browser solution.

This DTV STB solution is compliant with MPEG-2, DVB-MHP, Chinese DTV standard (draft) and other standards. It supports Java applications under Java ME (Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition), the collection of Java APIs targeting embedded consumer products, enabling easy authoring for value-added applications. Its modular design provides open solutions for different market deployment needs, and its layered architecture ensures hardware independence, meaning that the system has minimal deployment costs and short time-to-market.

About S-BMC

Shanghai Blue Media Software Technology Company Ltd. (S-BMC) is a joint venture between STMicroelectronics, which owns 65%, and HDIC (Shanghai High-Definition Digital Technology Innovation Center), a subsidiary of the prestigious Shanghai Jiaotong University, which owns 35%. The joint venture was announced in October 2004 and S-BMC was incorporated in March 2005. S-BMC develops software technologies for digital TV and offers the MBT middleware solution.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2005, the Company's net revenues were $8.88 billion and net earnings were $266 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.

* InStat -- MPEG Video ICs: The Buzz Around MPEG-4 AVC -- June 2005

(Report number IN0501839MI)

Source: STMicroelectronics

CONTACT: Michael Markowitz of STMicroelectronics, +1-212-821-8959,
michael.markowitz@st.com

Web site: http://www.st.com/

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