Amino Communications and SkyStream Networks Announce Availability of First PUSH-based Video-on-Demand Set-Top Box for IPTV Networks.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Amino's AmiNET500 Set-Top Box Now Available with Embedded zBand PUSH VOD Client to Offer Today's Popular Movies and Personalized Content On Demand

SkyStream Networks, the leader in IP video delivery solutions, and Amino Communications, a leading IPTV company, today announced the commercial availability of the first PUSH video-on-demand (VOD) set-top box for IPTV service providers here at the TelcoTV 2004 tradeshow.

The joint solution is on display at SkyStream Network's booth #305 on the show floor. It includes Amino's AmiNET500 set-top box with personal video recorder (PVR) functionality fully integrated with SkyStream's zBand client, part of the zBand content delivery platform. zBand is a client/server software solution for managing and scheduling live and on-demand media delivery for PUSH-based VOD.

SkyStream separately announced today the development of a turnkey, end-to-end solution for PUSH VOD - including Amino, Calix, Espial, Myrio and Widevine - that is designed specifically for telco networks.

"Combined with PUSH VOD technology, our new AmiNET500 set-top box puts viewers in charge of how, when and what they watch on TV and takes personalized TV to a new level," said Roy Kirsopp, CEO of Amino Communications LLC. "With PUSH technology, TV viewers no longer have to wait to watch a pay-per-view program at a scheduled time, or drive to the video rental store. They can choose from the most popular movies or TV programming and view it at a time that works best for them."

Amino's AmiNET500 set-top box with integral PVR features an 80 Gigabyte hard disk drive. It is the latest addition to Amino's award-winning range of small, low-cost, high performance set-top boxes. With AmiNET500 and zBand Content Delivery Platform, service providers can take advantage of the cost benefits of deploying IPTV, and offer a VOD service that scales with subscriber revenue growth. Subscribers will be able to control their on-demand viewing through the full range of the AmiNET500's PVR capabilities: pause live TV, instant record, instant replay, making scheduled recordings from an electronic program guide and streaming content to other set-top boxes via a home network.

SkyStream's zBand content delivery platform is a proven PUSH VOD solution based on its track record supporting the leading U.S. PUSH-based movie-on-demand service today. zBand automates reliable media delivery with QOS and FEC, stream scheduling, and lifecycle management: from content selection and prioritization through delivery, storage, viewing and expiry on the set-top box. zBand includes content security, with strong encryption from Certicom, and targeting of personalized content to PVRs, managed by the zBand client. The zBand server is typically located at the media delivery headend and the zBand client software is embedded or can be downloaded onto any network-connected device with a hard drive, including PVRs, set-top boxes, handheld computers or cell phones, to manage media delivery.

"Amino and SkyStream are the first to market with an exciting new consumer device and approach to VOD that offers significant competitive advantage for IPTV service providers as they continue to add video services to data and voice offerings," said Jim Olson, president and CEO of SkyStream Networks. "A PUSH architecture for VOD frees up bandwidth for additional revenue-generating services, keeps delivery costs to a minimum and enhances customer retention by delivering a better user experience than traditional approaches to VOD."

PUSH VOD is ideal for bandwidth-constrained networks. Popular movies, TV programming and personalized content can be pushed at high speeds, trickled at low speeds, or can be delivered at off-peak times to maximize efficient network usage and avoid high traffic during peak hours and network transit errors that degrade picture quality.

With a PUSH-based network architecture for VOD, IPTV service providers can roll out on-demand TV services quickly with little up-front investment in headend infrastructure because it allows service providers to pre-position content in the set-top box at the end user's location for play-out at the user's convenience in DVD-quality format. They also can utilize the solution to augment the efficiency of traditional network server-based VOD, allowing service providers to modulate their offering as markets develop.

To arrange for a PUSH VOD demonstration or for information and pricing on the AmiNET500 with integrated PUSH VOD capability contact Karthik Ranjan [e-mail] [phone]. For zBand pricing and additional information, please send email to SkyStream at [e-mail] or call [phone].

About Amino Communications

Amino Communications (www.aminocom.com) is a designer and supplier of electronic systems and consultancy, specializing in products for digital broadcast and on-demand TV, IPTV, and on-premises multimedia distribution. The Amino range of small, low cost, high functionality set-top boxes and gateway products is designed for consumer applications in telecom, satellite and digital terrestrial broadcast markets, as well as on-demand systems for hotels and hospitality markets, healthcare, retail and education. Amino also provides systems consultancy, and partners with world-leading companies in content aggregation, middleware, conditional access, and head-end systems.

Amino Communications is part of Amino Technologies plc. listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM, symbol AMO. Amino is based near Cambridge, UK, and has offices in Atlanta Georgia.

About SkyStream Networks

SkyStream, www.skystream.com, provides IP video delivery platforms that enable service providers to transform their business. With SkyStream products, they can better manage their existing services and generate new revenues from broadcast TV, movies on demand and multimedia. By taking IP closer to the edge, SkyStream's software and hardware products dramatically lower costs to provide services and optimize video delivery in any network. SkyStream is the leader in IP video with over 250 customers.