Konka and STMicroelectronics Co-develop New LCD Integrated Digital TVs

Konka and STMicroelectronics Co-develop New LCD Integrated Digital TVs

ST's STD2000 integrated decoder and video processor is at the heart of new iDTV sets from leading Chinese TV manufacturer, using the worldwide-standard DTV100 platform

GENEVA and BEIJING, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) and China's Konka Group Co. Ltd. -- one of the world's leading TV manufacturers -- today announced that Konka will go into mass production of its LCD integrated digital TV (iDTV) sets based on ST's world-class DTV100 platform this October in time for the Christmas season. This solution supports all worldwide standards and is built around ST's STD2000 integrated decoder and video processor. It integrates essential software and hardware to minimize design effort and significantly reduce the time to market for manufacturers.

DTV100 is a full hardware and software iDTV solution, supported by stand-alone software development tools which have enabled Konka to develop its own design. The two companies have worked closely together to develop the top layer of the software application -- the user interface modules -- and the new product will enrich Konka's range with a best-in-class image quality digital TV, suitable for the rapidly growing markets in Asia and America ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee). The DTV100 platform can be configured for all worldwide TV standards.

The STD2000 single-chip high-definition (HD) processor is manufactured in a 90nm CMOS technology and offers the best cost/performance ratio in the digital TV market. It combines set-top-box (STB) functionality with powerful image processing, on a single chip. The STD2000 can decode and display both analog and digital broadcasts, eliminating adjacent-channel noise and multi-path interference, and can decode two simultaneous standard-definition (SD) signals as well as providing HD decompression, video processing and display for flat-panel televisions.

Under FCC requirements, all TVs sold in the US after March 2007 must have built-in digital tuners. The DTV100 reference design and its development support enable manufacturers to produce compliant products with the minimum of design effort, and with low parts count and cost. At the same time the STD2000 video processor delivers superior picture quality and an enhanced viewing and entertainment experience, with ST's proprietary Contour-Sensitive De-interlacing(TM) (CSDi(TM)) system, and 3D digital luma and chroma motion-adaptive noise reduction. The platform supports all matrix displays (LCD, PDP, RP TV) up to 1080p.

Other advanced features include Perfect PAP(TM) (high-definition Picture and Picture) and PIP (Picture in Picture), enabling TVs to display two high-definition video sources on one screen, side-by-side or on top of each other. The chip integrates MPEG-2 A/V, HD video processor, plus full support for legacy analog broadcasts -- with a dual digital chroma decoder (PAL, SECAM and NTSC) and a 3D/2D comb filter -- into the single device. And it also supports a built-in CableCARD(TM) interface for US OpenCable(TM) specifications and a dual DVB-CI interface to meet European DVB-T specifications.

"We're excited about the role Konka is playing in the rapidly growing DTV market. As one of the world's leading TV manufacturers, differentiation in the market is key. We're pleased that our DTV solution enables Konka to deliver high quality products and differentiation in the market," said Robert Krysiak, Corporate VP and CEO, Greater China, STMicroelectronics.

"ST's DTV100 solution is the perfect fit for our wide range of flat panel TVs, providing high quality at competitive prices," said Konka's Corporate VP, Chen Yue Hua.

As well as supporting the ATSC standard, the STD2000 is compliant with other standards, such as the Chinese digital terrestrial standard.

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/.

About Konka Group Co, Ltd

Konka Group is a leading Chinese electronics manufacturer targeting multimedia consumer, wireless communications, networking and related equipment. Since 1999, the company has been ranked among China's top 100 best companies. The company's Shares A & B (SZ000016) have been listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (China) since 1992.

With more than 20 shareholders, both domestic and international, the Konka Group has established five major manufacturing sites in Mudanjiang, Sha'anxi, Donguan, Anhui and Chongqing. The Konka Dongguan facility is recognised as the largest audio/video equipment manufacturing base in China's coastal area.

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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