Zenith Selects Microware Operating System For High-Definition Television Receivers
PR Newswire - December 29, 1997 09:54
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GLENVIEW, Ill., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Two leaders in digital TV
technology - Zenith Electronics Corporation (NYSE: ZE) and Microware Systems
Corporation (Nasdaq: MWAR) - are joining forces to support the launch of
digital high-definition television (HDTV) products next year, the companies
said today.
Zenith has selected system software developed by Microware for use in its
digital HDTV sets planned for introduction in 1998. Marking the first
integrated application of Microware software in a television set, this
announcement extends an existing licensing agreement between the companies to
include Microware's DAVID (Digital Audio/Video Interactive Decoder) package
for Zenith HDTV products.
In the wake of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirement for
U.S. broadcasters to make a transition to digital broadcasting, Zenith plans
to use the OS-9-based DAVIDLite package for its HDTV receivers.
"DAVID for HDTV offers a cost-effective system software solution for high-
definition television," said Denis Connaghan, chief operating officer of
Microware, a leader in embedded system software technology.
"Zenith's licensing of DAVID for the HDTV solution marks the first time
that OS-9 will be in the television receiver itself," Connaghan said. "This is
a very exciting evolution for Microware, and we're pleased to make this
monumental step with Zenith."
Nick Mehta, Zenith's chief technical officer and division vice president,
consumer electronics engineering, said the agreement builds on a relationship
between the two companies in which Zenith has licensed DAVIDLite technology
for digital set-top boxes being deployed by telecommunications companies.
"By working with digital television leaders like Microware with its DAVID
operating system, Zenith will enhance its leadership in HDTV - bringing
consumers the ultimate home theater experience with crystal clear pictures,
CD-quality sound and more choices for entertainment and information services,"
Mehta said.
As digital television leaders, both companies are driving industry
standards. Zenith developed the digital HDTV transmission technology adopted
by the FCC as part of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) digital
TV standard. In addition, Microware's DAVID software is compatible with the
ATSC standard as well as Europe's DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)
specification.
Microware develops, markets, and supports sophisticated real-time
operating system software and development tools for advanced consumer,
communications, and industrial products, including devices for the emerging
Internet, wireless communications and digital television markets. Microware,
headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, was founded in 1977 and has technology and
sales offices throughout the United States as well as in England; France;
Germany; and Japan. For more information on Microware, please visit their
World Wide Web site at www.microware.com. Microware, the Microware logo, OS-9
and DAVID are registered trademarks of Microware Systems Corporation. All
other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
Zenith Electronics Corporation, based in Glenview, Ill., is a pioneer in
HDTV technology. Zenith is a leading manufacturer of television and video
products for consumer and professional markets; display devices including
color television picture tubes, computer display tubes and components; and
network systems products, including digital and analog set-top boxes and cable
modems. (Visit our website at www.zenith.com.)
SOURCE Zenith Electronic Corporation
/CONTACT: Media, John Taylor, 847-391-8181, or Investors, Kevin Brindley,
847-391-7010, both of Zenith Electronics Corporation; or Sara Payne or Deb
Fry, both of Microware Systems Corporation, 515-327-2449/
/Web site: zenith.com or microware.com
(ZE MWAR) |
