Top-Digital TV Provides Digital Cable to Beijing Subscribers and Other Chinese Operators Utilizing BigBand Networks Platforms

Top-Digital TV Provides Digital Cable to Beijing Subscribers and Other Chinese Operators Utilizing BigBand Networks Platforms

BigBand Networks Furthers Its Digital Video Success in China Through New Deployment Delivering Programming Via Cable Transmission, Network Transport and Satellite Linkage

BEIJING, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- China Cable Broadcasting Network (CCBN) Exhibition and Conference, -- BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data, today announced Top-Digital TV of Beijing is using the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) to manage and disseminate digital television programming. The deployment controls program line-ups and video content, and distributes directly to a satellite uplink facility through redundant Gigabit Ethernet transport over optical fiber. It is designed to enable satellite transmission to cable operators throughout China. This includes providing digital programming to cable subscribers in Beijing, Tianjin City, Shangdong province, Anhui province, and areas. The addition of Top-Digital TV signifies the seventh Chinese customer announced by BigBand Networks since last year's CCBN.

(Logo: http://newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW056LOGO )

"Beijing is the birthplace of cable television in China, and our deployment of the BigBand BMR positions the city at the center of the country's embrace of all-digital programming, both for local Beijing subscribers as well as widespread operators throughout the country," said Yang Zhang, technical director for Top-Digital TV. "BigBand Networks provides a robust and unique solution that addresses a range of current needs for Top-Digital TV, while providing an open expansion path to continue realizing our digital future."

Top-Digital TV is deploying the BigBand BMR as part of nationwide Chinese efforts to implement all-digital programming by 2008, when the Beijing Olympics are scheduled. In the deployment, video is sourced from a collection of satellite downlinks, terrestrial broadcasting, local storage and live feeds. The operator uses the BigBand BMR to control channel line-ups via grooming with application of RateShaping(R) bit rate adaptation designed to maintain video quality while maximizing bandwidth efficiency. The groomed content is routed to multiple outputs for local transmission and for Gigabit Ethernet transport. A remote BMR performs de-jittering and can enact automated redundancy switching, which is designed to assure video quality post-transport, and the content is uplinked to satellite for nationwide distribution.

"Based in China's political, cultural, and economic center of Beijing, Top-Digital TV is utilizing the BigBand BMR to mark itself as an important and ambitious player in the country's advancing cable industry," said Richard Chau, regional vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific, BigBand Networks. "This addition to our expanding Chinese customer base, plus the use of our platforms to service operators nationwide from Beijing, solidifies BigBand Networks' positioning as a major player in the country's adoption of all-digital television."

About Top Digital TV media Co. Ltd.

Top Digital TV media Co. Ltd. is a national premium digital TV integrated operator approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT). It was founded by 5 stock holders, including Beijing BAMC Communication Digital TV Co Ltd (BJDTV), China National Radio, Tianjin Times Tianchuang Media Development Co. Ltd., Shandong Radio and TV Station, and Anhui TV station. Top Digital TV media Co. Ltd. is in the business of integration, delivery and marketing of digital premium TV programs around the country. The company focuses on expanding the digital Pay TV market, driving the development of the digital TV industry, and providing top-level video programs and services, such as premium channels and VOD, to DTV audience in China. For more information, please visit http://www.topdtv.com/ .

About BigBand Networks

BigBand Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data. Utilizing unique combinations of open technologies, the company's solutions are designed to process, optimize, and deliver services such as high-speed data, VoIP, digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, local advertising, VOD, interactive TV and IPTV through any network. Service Providers use BigBand Networks' platforms in efforts to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and advanced interactive services. Customers include seven of the ten largest North American cable operators, US telecommunications companies, as well as leading service providers in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Founded in 1999, BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA with offices worldwide. For more information, please call 650-995-5000, email info@bigbandnet.com or visit www.bigbandnet.com .

BMR, RateShaping and other BigBand Networks brand and product names are service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of BigBand Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: http://newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW056LOGO
Source: BigBand Networks, Inc.

CONTACT: Marcos Sanchez of BigBand Networks, +1-650-995-5043, or
marcos.sanchez@bigbandnet.com ; or Brian Baumley of Cohn & Wolfe for BigBand
Networks, Inc., +1-212-798-9813, or brian_baumley@cohnwolfe.com

Web site: http://www.bigbandnet.com/
http://www.topdtv.com/

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