Does Cube has any share in this? Nextlevel is its customer.
Wednesday December 10, 10:48 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: NextLevel Systems, Inc.
NextLevel Systems, Inc. and nCUBE Demonstrate Their Integrated
Near-Video- On-Demand Solution on NextLevel's Advanced Analog
CFT 2200 Platform
With NextLevel/nCUBE NVOD, Operators Can Offer Subscribers On-Demand Movies and
Other Pay-Per-View Events with the Viewing Control Previously Limited To Using a
Videotape or Full VOD
ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- NextLevel Systems, Inc. (NYSE: NLV - news) and nCUBE Product
Communications demonstrated their integrated solution for Near-Video-On-Demand (NVOD) services at the
Western Cable Television Association (WCTA) Show. By integrating NextLevel's CFT 2200 advanced analog
network system with nCUBE servers, this alliance enables cable operators to offer their subscribers on-demand
movie rentals and other pay- per-view (PPV) events with the viewing control (such as pause, rewind and
fast-forward) previously available only with a videotape or a full Video-on- Demand (VOD) solution. This integrated
NVOD solution allows cable customers to select their own convenient viewing times rather than rely on a PPV
movie's pre-determined start time.
NextLevel and nCUBE demonstrated how their integrated NVOD solution allows cable operators to offer the same
programming on different channels at staggered starting times, typically in 15-minute increments. The nCUBE video
server utilizes Oracle Corporation [Nasdaq:ORCL - news]'s Oracle Video Server(TM) to store, schedule and
deliver the video content. Using NextLevel's CFT 2200 advanced analog set-top terminal, the subscriber purchases
the programming directly from an on-screen program guide and chooses a convenient viewing time over a 24-hour
period. When the programming is scheduled to begin, the CFT 2200 automatically descrambles the picture and tunes
to the channel that is transmitting the programming -- all transparent to the subscriber. At any point during the
program, the subscriber can choose to pause, fast-forward or rewind the programming.
''Cable subscribers are excited about the ability to order movies from the comfort of their own home at a time that's
most convenient for them, while also maintaining VCR-like control,'' said Jim Spare, Senior Product Manager of
NextLevel Broadband Networks Group's Advanced Networks Systems (ANS) business unit. ''The
NextLevel/nCUBE NVOD solution can clearly differentiate operators from their competition, allowing them to offer a
leading-edge service to their customers and create additional revenue for themselves.''
''We are pleased to partner with NextLevel and demonstrate the benefits of our integrated NVOD solution to the
worldwide cable industry,'' said George Palmer, Vice President of Marketing for nCUBE. ''nCUBE's scalable video
servers, integrated with NextLevel's set-top terminals, allow cable operators to offer advanced NVOD services while
utilizing their existing analog infrastructure. This solution provides a lower-cost, intermediate step to digital
video-on-demand (VOD). The same nCUBE video server will also fully support digital VOD, even while running the
existing analog NVOD at the same time.''
The nCUBE video server is the only proven video system that can deliver up to 20,000 MPEG video streams.
nCUBE has completed worldwide major interactive video trials of the system with successful results. The video
system employs a highly developed hypercube architecture that meets the high data rate I/O requirements of
interactive video applications. nCUBE servers support the major network architectures of the video market, including
ATM OC-3, 10 or 100BaseT Ethernet, and HFC.
Near-Video-On-Demand is one of the new applications now available on NextLevel's advanced analog CFT 2200
platform. Together with Internet access, Caller ID, and Visual VoiceMail, these services can add an estimated
incremental $6-$7 per month per subscriber to operators' revenue streams, enabling them to double their revenue
potential.
nCUBE video servers incorporate Oracle Corporation's Oracle Video Server software. This end-to-end software
solution enables customers to store, manage and deliver full-motion, full-screen video and high fidelity audio to PCs,
network computers, workstations and set-top boxes over a variety of networks.
Founded in 1983, nCUBE is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Foster City, California.
nCUBE specializes in broadcast- quality video delivery systems leading in performance, scalability and cost-
effectiveness. Its video servers have successfully participated in the world's leading video-on-demand trials and
deployments. As an Oracle Business Alliance Partner, nCUBE is solidly positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly
expanding interactive multimedia marketplace. For more information about nCUBE, please call 800-654-2823.
nCUBE's World Wide Web address is (URL) ncube.com.
NextLevel Systems, Inc. (NYSE: NLV - news) is a leading worldwide supplier of systems and components for
high-performance communications networks delivering video, voice and Internet/data services. Created in a
three-way split of General Instrument Corporation, NextLevel Systems comprises three businesses that are leaders in
distinct global growth markets: the Broadband Networks Group, based in Hatboro, Pa.; the Satellite Data Networks
business, based in San Diego, Calif.; and Next Level Communications, based in Rohnert Park, Calif. NextLevel
Systems posted revenues of $1.8 billion in 1996 and employs more than 8,300 people worldwide.
SOURCE: NextLevel Systems, Inc. |
