I don't know Fred. I need to digest the whole package. I guess it depends on what Cube actually got (of course). I'll post a bunch of TV/Com press releases, so others may add their comments.
TV / COM : TV / COM forms alliance with Grundig in BSkyB deal
05/21/98
M2 PRESSWIRE
(c) Copyright 1998 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved
-- Set-top box order highlights growing commitment to digital satellite TV
TV / COM International, Inc., a leading provider of global digital communications
solutions for the direct-to-home, cable, and terrestrial markets, announced that it is
providing the design for the receivers in the Grundig-manufactured set-top boxes (STBs)
that receive BSkyB's new-generation digital services.
The set-top boxes, designed by TV / COM and manufactured and branded by Grundig,
feature Open TV interactive software and a cash card slot for electronic commerce.
The TV / COM set-tops incorporate the NDS VideoGuard Conditional Access Control
System (CAS). The CAS authorizes commercial and consumer subscriber access and
controls overall system security.
This announcement pulls together three key industry players: BSkyB as the UK's leading
satellite broadcaster, Grundig as a major manufacturer of satellite receivers, and TV /
COM (a subsidiary of Hyundai Electronics) as a world leader in the design of digital
consumer set-tops and installation of open-architecture digital networks. TV / COM will
design and develop the advanced digital receivers that will give BSkyB its market edge.
These STBs will give BSkyB viewers the highest quality TV images, from the most
advanced digital set-top boxes on the market.
Demand for BSkyB's new service is expected to be high, and all three companies have
made sizable investments to ensure the successful UK introduction of digital satellite
broadcasting. Grundig UK has been involved in satellite television since its commercial
European launch in 1988, and has established itself as a leading brand name in the UK.
Last year, Grundig and TV / COM formed a strategic alliance in Digital STB design,
manufacture, marketing and sales with the express intention of making advanced digital
technology available to both broadcasters, such as BSkyB, and the many UK retailers
selling Grundig receivers.
Grundig UK's Chairman Koen van Driel commented, "We are delighted to be associated
with this project and to be working with TV / COM because of the company's digital
technology expertise. BSkyB have proven themselves over the years to be an
outstanding broadcasting company and their reputation can only be further enhanced with
the launch of digital television."
Jeff Wallin, president and CEO of TV / COM , added, "We are very pleased to be
chosen by BSkyB to design and develop this advanced digital satellite set-top box. Our
strong partnership with Grundig will ensure that BSkyB customers receive the highest
quality, most fully featured digital set-top boxes on the market."
About TV / COM
TV / COM has aggressively expanded into the world market for secure distribution of
information and entertainment programming, focusing on high performance digital
delivery systems for cable, satellite, PC and terrestrial networks. TV / COM 's digital
products include MPEG-2 DVB compliant compression systems, network management,
conditional access and scrambling, satellite and cable modulation (QPSK and QAM), as
well as consumer set-top boxes and commercial IRDs. Founded in 1973, TV / COM
became a subsidiary of Hyundai Electronics America (HEA) in 1995, and is one of the
most successful companies supplying broadband communication systems. With
Hyundai's extensive resources, TV / COM has accelerated its research and development
and expanded its strategic involvement in the delivery of complete end-to-end solutions.
As the future unfolds with communications technologies converging, these corporate
resources uniquely position TV / COM to continue in the forefront of technological
innovation.
For more information about TV / COM and its products, visit the company's Web site at
www.tvcom.com. |
