Acterna DTS-200 Selected by Burst Communications to Perform MPEG-2 Test and Management Support for the NAB 2005 HD Pavilion.

LAS VEGAS & GERMANTOWN, Md. -- Acterna, the leader in test and management solutions for consumer and business broadband communications, today announced that Burst Communications is using Acterna's DTS-200 for MPEG-2 test and monitoring support for the high-definition (HD) Pavilion at this year's NAB. The HD Pavilion is attracting interest from NAB attendees as a useful initiative to demonstrate to broadcasters how a DTV system is designed, constructed, and operated. Burst, selected by the NAB to act as systems integrator for all equipment showcased in the Pavilion, is using the Acterna DTS-200 to test and monitor digital video (standard and high-definition) streams and outputs, and ensure signaling is accurate and reliable.

Acterna's digital video broadcast test and management solutions will be on display at NAB, April 17-20, Las Vegas, Booth # SU10043 in South Hall 3.

"Unlike traditional video and audio, data errors in the transport stream are often not immediately visible or audible to the station operator, so we are excited to have the support of the MPEG analysis found in Acterna's DTS-200," said Tony Roccanova, senior engineering project manager for Burst Communications. "The pavilion is designed to be a 'prototype model' broadcast station to NAB attendees. To ensure a smooth process we felt that it was extremely important to include MPEG monitoring."

"Many vendors were eager to contribute an MPEG monitoring device for the show," Roccanova added. "Acterna offered superior tech support and was always responsive to any technical issues that came up during the process."

Located in booth N5000, NAB's HD Pavilion will demonstrate a fully functional example of the HD capabilities that can be achieved at local broadcast stations. The temporary station will offer attendees a comprehensive view of all the technical, operational, and management elements required to broadcast DTV signals of all formats. Burst Communications is responsible for building the core of the station, including signal routing, switching, tie lines and monitoring.

The DTS-200 will be used to test the final output of the station, including all upstream ASI products in the system. It will monitor the station's MPEG encoder, multiplexer, PSIP generator, and Nielsen encoder continuously throughout the show. The DTS-200 will also monitor the SMPTE 310 stream delivered to the transmitter.

"Burst wanted a partner to provide digital video test solutions for the HD pavilion initiative, and Acterna was excited to be selected to offer our broadcast test expertise for this high-profile initiative at one of the industry's most important conferences," said Sudeep Bose, product marketing manager of Acterna's DTS product line. "Burst's selection underscores the leadership reputation that Acterna's DTS line of products enjoys in the digital video test and monitoring market."

Acterna's DTS-200 MPEG-2 field instrument, the most powerful remote testing solution on the market, allows digital network operators and associated equipment vendors to gain remote visibility into their MPEG streams and perform various test applications. It features intuitive interfaces and flexible structure, plug-in modules for easy interchange of multiple interfaces to access MPEG-2 streams at various test points, remote operation via client computer or in stand-alone mode, and customizable toolsets and test applications.

Learn more about Acterna's complete line of instruments, systems, software, services, and integrated solutions online at www.acterna.com.

About Burst Communications

Burst designs, engineers, and installs creative, integrated systems for video, broadcast, and presentation technologies. Burst specializes in bundled solutions to complex projects, from hardware and software, to installation and training. Owned and managed by Kirk Basefsky and Robin Heywood since 1991, Burst is headquartered in Denver, Colo., with satellite offices located in Arizona, California, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.

About Acterna

Acterna is the world's largest provider of communications test solutions for telecommunications and cable network operators. A trusted communications test partner for more than eight decades, Acterna offers an unmatched portfolio of award-winning instruments, systems, software, and services that help its customers reduce network costs while improving performance and reliability. Headquartered in Germantown, Md. -- with European and Asia-Pacific operations based in Eningen, Germany, and Hong Kong -- Acterna serves nearly every major communications service provider and equipment manufacturer around the world through a skilled sales and support organization in 31 countries.

All Acterna company or product names mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of Acterna Inc. or one of its subsidiary companies.