TechniSat selects Micronas' Multi-Format Decoder DeCypher for new Hybrid IPTV/DVB Set-Top Box (0706)

New design supports both IPTV and DVB services, allowing access to novel IPTV services such as video-on-demand without a computer.

Freiburg and Daun, Germany - March 19, 2007 - Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN), a leading supplier of innovative application-specific IC system solutions for consumer electronics, and TechniSat, Germany’s leading manufacturer of DVB set-top boxes, today announced an all-in-one ‘Hybrid’ set-top box which allows consumers to watch television programs from both DVB-T and IPTV sources on their TV set. The TeleStreamer 2TW brings a new user experience to the living room by simplifying the selection among sources and channels, and does not require the user to set up, or even have, a computer.

The TechniSat set-top box design uses the Micronas high-definition and standard-definition streaming media decoder DeCypher 81xx, which integrates Digital Rights Management and networking support, as the core technology. This highly integrated IC features multiple-codec video decoding including H.264/AVC, VC-1/WMV-9, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 ASP, multi-format audio decoding, and the reception of both broadcast and IP-delivered signals via its integrated transport stream and Ethernet interfaces. IPTV, short for internet protocol television, is a new method for delivering and viewing television programming using an IP network and broadband access technology. It allows for the delivery of traditional live television and additional new services, such as video-on-demand, to the home.

“Many of our customers have expressed interest in IPTV says Peter Lepper, Founder and General Manager of TechniSat. “Working with Micronas has enabled us to develop an easy-to-install, easy-to-use set-top box that works with IPTV as well as all types of digital video broadcasting.”

The new set-top box is compatible with all existing DVB broadcast standards, and will work with analog or digital TVs, including ones with HDMI inputs. Most new flat-panel HDTVs feature HDMI inputs for best picture quality.

“We’re pleased that a market leader such as TechniSat has selected Micronas as the prime vendor for their new system,” says Hans Stock, Director IPTV Market Centre at Micronas. “They have done a great job of making a consumer-friendly, easy-to-use product.”

TechniSat will begin retail shipments of the TeleStreamer 2TW in May, 2007. A cable version, called TeleStreamer 2CW, and a satellite version, called TeleStreamer 2SW, will be launched a few months later. All models are based on Windows. Technisat will also develop and manufacture Linux-based versions for terrestrial, cable and satellite reception.