Philips likes to do it the Betaresearch way. Betaresearch's d-Box was based on C-Cube chips. Maybe a newer version..................
broadcast.philips.com
Philips Digital video Systems chosen to develop and produce the ‘d-box'
Eindhoven, January 12, 1999 Philips Digital video Systems has been contracted to develop set-top box products based on the platform know as the ‘d-box'. This was announced by Betaresearch, the research and development arm of the German-based Kirch Group, which today unveiled their ‘betanova' application programming interface (API) for digital set-top boxes.
The launch of ‘betanova' API makes the ‘d-box' platform available to all users and will allow companies to develop their own application software, electronic program guides (EPG), games and interactive services for the ‘d-box', just as special application software programs can be written for PCs. As all commercial and non-commercial TV and radio programs can be received via the 'd-box' (which is already installed in 700,000 German households), service providers and industry will in future be able to develop new applications independently using betanova. These include, EPG's, games and a host of industrial applications, e.g. market research, data transfer and E-commerce.
This new interface for the ‘d-box' will make a significant contribution to expansion of the digital market. Philips will develop and manufacture these future ‘d-box' products and intends to supply products to Premiere, DF 1, Deutsche Telekom and other service providers.
Philips has vast experience in the consumer electronics field and has wide access to consumer retail outlets. Philips Digital Video Systems is the professional television and video arm of Philips and is a world leader in MPEG-2 compression and transmission systems as well as set top boxes.
Commenting on the development agreement, Mr. Rob van Oostenbrugge, Managing Director of Philips Digital Video Systems, said: “This latest contract to develop future ‘d-box' products is confirmation that Philips is firmly at the forefront in broadcast development and in setting the standards in interactive TV. It further expresses the market's confidence in our leadership and innovative capacity in the professional broadcasting field.”
Philips Digital Video Systems Company, a division of Philips Electronics North America Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of digital equipment and systems for the professional television and video production communities, and is a world leader in MPEG-2 compression and transmission systems.
North American headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Phone: (801) 972-8000; Fax: (801) 972-6304.
European headquarters is located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Phone: 31-40-273-2420.
South American headquarters is located in Saó Paulo, Brazil. Phone: 55-11-821-2020.
Far East/Pacific Rim headquarters is located in Singapore. Phone: 65-350-2000.
Philips Electronics, of The Netherlands, is one of the world's largest electronics companies, with sales of over US$39 billion in 1997. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, home telephony products and electric shavers. Its 264,700 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the area of, semiconductors and components, consumer products, professional products and systems, lighting, and software and services. Philips is quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges.
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For further information contact:
AMERICAS EUROPE & FAR EAST/PACIFIC RIM
John Russel Bart van Dijk
SSA Public Relations, Los Angeles Philips, The Netherlands
(818) 501-0700 +31-40-273-3615
e-mail: ssapr@sprynet.com e-mail: dijk3@am.umc.ce.philips.nl
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