Next-Generation Set-Top Platforms Supporting Microsoft TV IPTV Edition Enable Advanced New Functionalities

Next-Generation Set-Top Platforms Supporting Microsoft TV IPTV Edition Enable Advanced New Functionalities

Cisco, Motorola, Philips and Tatung devices are available immediately.

PARIS, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) and leading set-top box manufacturers Cisco Systems Inc., Motorola Inc., Philips and Tatung Co. today announced at Broadband World Forum Europe that advanced system-on-a-chip (SoC) set-tops, which will greatly enhance the Internet Protocol television (IPTV) user experience, are now available to support Microsoft(R) IPTV Edition software platform deployments with leading telecommunications carriers worldwide. An integral part of the IPTV ecosystem, SoC set-tops will enable service providers to begin delivering high-definition TV (HDTV), digital video recording (DVR) and picture-in-picture functionalities as well as other advanced features in the future, enhancing consumers' television-viewing experience.

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This new generation of SoC-based, HD-capable, IPTV-ready receivers makes it easier for service providers to deploy IPTV Edition more broadly, quickly and cost-efficiently while supporting exciting new TV services. The availability of these devices illustrates the continued innovation of Microsoft and its IPTV Edition ecosystem partners in the telecommunications and digital television industries.

"The advent of system-on-a-chip set-tops is a key milestone for the IPTV industry," said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for the Microsoft TV Division at Microsoft. "As our service provider customers are beginning worldwide deployments of IPTV Edition, and set-top partners are unveiling these advanced devices, consumers will be able to experience television in a new, exciting way. This milestone is a testament to the remarkable progress our IPTV ecosystem has made in just a few years, and it will pave the way for service providers to deliver richer TV services at a lower cost."

Cisco's proven history of IP innovation gives the company unmatched IP expertise and successful IPTV deployments, which it is able to share with its service provider partners. Cisco IP set-top models, which will be deployed by customers including AT&T, support experience-enhancing features such as high- definition TV, DVR, integrated home networking over coax and user-friendly displays. Models are available with appropriate connectors and features for markets around the globe. Cisco offers models that include silicon from both Sigma Designs Inc. and STMicroelectronics.

Motorola's heritage of invention for the connected home has resulted in over 48 million video entertainment devices being shipped to service providers worldwide. The company's VIP series of SoC-based set-tops are engineered to meet the needs of service providers deploying the Microsoft IPTV Edition system. These solutions seamlessly bring the advanced IP services into any room in the house, including on-demand services, DVR and support for HDTV codecs, as well as forthcoming IPTV Edition features such as multiroom streaming and home media networking. Motorola VIP series set-tops are currently shipping in volume to leading providers worldwide, and the company has announced that AT&T will be the first service provider to commercially deploy these products.

Philips has introduced a hybrid IPTV-DTT set-top box supporting Microsoft IPTV Edition with HDTV and DVR functionality based on the Sigma Designs 8634 chipset. This product will be launched by BT plc this fall.

Tatung will introduce its STB2000 series SoC-enabled set-top boxes based on the Sigma Designs 8634 chipset later this year. The new STB2300 model is an entry-level IP set-top box that not only supports two high-definition decoding engines for MPEG2, H.264 and VC-1, providing decoding flexibility, but also supports advanced features including HDTV, video on demand (VOD) and high- definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

"System-on-a-chip set-top boxes are a major milestone for the IPTV ecosystem as they are a key enabler of some of the advanced IPTV features," said Vince Vittore, senior analyst for Broadband Access Technologies at Yankee Group Research Inc. "As the capabilities of these platforms increase, service providers will be able to focus on providing unique video services to consumers. In addition, the availability of SoC-based devices is a significant proof point of how the entire supply chain, from video solutions vendors to silicon manufacturers, is gearing up to support IPTV."

About Cisco

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com/ . For more news, visit http://newsroom.cisco.com/ .

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks - along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $35.3 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit www.motorola.com .

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE:PHG)(NYSE:AEX:)(NYSE:PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 125,500 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter .

About Tatung

Since 1997, Tatung IPTV BU has also been at the forefront of research and sales/business development of digital home solutions such as IP-based set top boxes, PVR, etc. Tatung IPTV BU targets high definition digital set top box design and manufacturing. STB2000/4000C/5000 is the most powerful yet affordable digital set top box on the market. The built-in media format includes H.264, VC-1, WMV9/10/HD, MPEG1/2/4.2, with resolution up to 720p/1080i; also providing rich application support including HTML browser (Gecko), Macromedia Flash, Java VM, etc. Established in 1918, Tatung Company currently owns 43 main subsidiary companies and reached $7.5 billions USD in sales in 2005 (including invested companies). Its main products include computers, consumer electronics, home appliances, telecommunication products, wires and cables, and heavy industrial products. http://www.tatung.tv/ .

About the Microsoft TV Platform

The Microsoft TV platform is a family of software solutions that help network operators create and deliver new digital TV services that delight consumers. Designed to help cable providers and telecommunications companies derive more value from their digital video and network infrastructure investments, the Microsoft TV family supports a full range of services including interactive program guides, digital video recording, high-definition TV, on-demand programming and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services. The Microsoft TV platform works across a full range of set-top boxes and TV devices. More information about Microsoft TV can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Microsoft TV team, Weber Shandwick, +1 (425) 452-5400, or
mstv@webershandwick.com; or Wilson Craig, Cisco Systems, +1 (408) 525-2524, or
wicraig@cisco.com; or Paul Alfieri, Motorola, +1 (215) 323-1804, or
Paul.Alfieri@Motorola.com; or Natasha Konstantinova, Philips Consumer
Electronics Communications Department, +31 20 59 77677, or
Natasha.Konstantinova@philips.com; or Crystal Hsu, Tatung Marketing division,
IPTV BU, +886-2-2598-5430, or crystal@tatung.com

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx .

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