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C-Cube's MPEG-2 Technology to Deliver End-to-End Digital Video Solution For European Digital Television System
C-Cube to Provide Core Digital Video Engines For Nokia Set-Top Decoders and TV/COM Broadcast Encoders For BetaTechnik Project
MILPITAS, Calif., April 8, 1996 -- C-Cube Microsystems Inc. (NASDAQ: CUBE), a market leader in digital video, announced today that BetaTechnik, a major video systems integrator, has selected C-Cube to supply both the MPEG-2 digital video decoding and encoding technology for the KirchGroup program, Germany's first digital television system. BetaTechnik will use C-Cube based MPEG-2 set-top receivers from Nokia as well as TV/COM's MPEG-2 broadcast encoder systems, based on C-Cube's CLM4710 MPEG-2 encoder, to deliver a full-featured end-to-end digital video broadcast solution. This system will be operated by BetaMedia Services (BMS), a new subsidiary of KirchGroup's BetaTechnik. BMS has been contracted to provide digital systems integration services.
The KirchGroup is a major program distributor in Germany and German speaking countries. The German enterprise of Vebacom and Metro will distribute the digital decoder box, manage the conditional access and offer related services. KirchGroup's recently founded subsidiary DF 1, will broadcast up to 50 pay-TV programs directly to consumers via the Astra high-power satellite. The program is expected to launch in July of this year.
TV/COM's encoder systems will use C-Cube's CLM4710 MPEG-2 encoder to deliver video image quality that is superior to analog cable systems, while also allowing up to ten times the number of channels. Nokia's set-top receivers will use C-Cube's CL9100 MPEG-2 decoder to receive the digital television services into the home, providing consumers with new entertainment, education and information opportunities. The implementation of C-Cube's encoding and decoding solutions will enable KirchGroup to deliver enhanced features beyond the MPEG-2 standard due to C-Cube's ability to leverage its encoder expertise through its decoder solutions.
"KirchGroup's entry into digital video broadcasting is representative of a trend that is changing video distribution worldwide: digital video allows significantly more channels of video programming, dramatically increasing consumer choice," said Alex Balkanski, president and CEO of C-Cube Microsystems. "Digital video is allowing independent broadcast services, such as KirchGroup, to compete with state-sponsored television that has monopolized the European entertainment and information market. We are pleased that Nokia and TV/COM have selected C-Cube to deliver the critical MPEG-2 technology for this deployment."
TV/COM's digital video encoders contain C-Cube's Emmy-winning CLM4710 MPEG-2 Main Level/Main Profile Video Encoder chipset. The encoder chipset compresses and formats video data to allow up to 10 digital video channels to replace a single analog video channel, dramatically improving the efficiency of direct broadcast satellite systems and other video distribution media.
"C-Cube's digital video technology is making it possible to deliver twenty-five channels of enhanced definition television in the place of five analog channels," said Gabor Toth, vice president of research and development for BetaTechnik. "With C-Cube's high-quality, cost-effective digital video technology, KirchGroup will be able to deliver a new television experience to viewers across Germany and German speaking countries with unprecedented programming choice."
Nokia's set-top terminals contain C-Cube's CL9100 MPEG-2 Video Decoder, which decompresses the video from the satellite system, allowing it to be viewed on any standard television receiver. All elements of the system are Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) compliant, the new standard for distributing digital video via satellite and coaxial cable in Europe and Asia.
C-Cube CLM4710 MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder
C-Cube's CLM4710 is the world's first complete implementation of the MPEG-2 standard for distributing digital video. Designed to encode pure video efficiently, the CLM4710 provides high quality resolution for sports programming, news programs, three-camera situation comedies and other pure video programs. MPEG-2 is rapidly replacing NTSC and PAL analog video technologies for distributing video worldwide. C-Cube was awarded an Emmy for its development of the CLM4710, in recognition of C-Cube's contribution changing television.
C-Cube's CL9100 MPEG-2 Set-Top Video Decoder
C-Cube's CL9100 is a single-chip, RISC-based solution specifically designed to decode MPEG-2 main-level, main-profile; MPEG-2 main-level, simple-profile; and MPEG-1. This digital video set-top decoder is fully compliant with MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and DVB standards, eliminating the interoperability issues faced by many hardware developers. The CL9100 provides on-screen display capabilities, efficient memory usage, advanced error concealment functionality and a high-level command-based host interface. The programmability of the solution allows broadcasters to add end-user oriented features to broadcast services using the CL9100. The CL9100 supports both film and video modes within the NTSC and PAL formats.
TV/COM
Founded in 1932, TV/COM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Electronics America (HEA) and is one of the most successful companies supplying broadband communications systems for the cable, satellite and terrestrial television industries. TV/COM designs and manufactures a wide range of open architecture solutions that provide a lower-cost alternative to proprietary solutions. The company's products include digital compression systems, headend equipment and secure access control systems for subscription, pay-for-view and interactive entertainment. For more information about TV/COM or its products, please contact Andrea Vorgna at 16516 Via Esprillo, San Diego, Calif., 92127 or phone (619) 675-4714.
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Contact Information
Mary Sharpless - Giani
C-Cube Microsystems
(408) 944-8628
mary.giani@c-cube.com
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