BigBand Networks and EGT Partner to Accelerate Digital Cable Benefits.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- BigBand BRE20 Encoder based on EGT Technology Complements; BMR and BME Platforms with Applications including All-Digital Service

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia platforms for broadcast television and on-demand services, and EGT, Inc., an emerging leader in digital video technology and products, today announced a partnership for more and better digital video services over cable networks. BigBand Networks is providing the BigBand BRE20 digital video encoding platform which is based on EGT technology. The BRE20 complements the BigBand BMR and BME platforms, extending digital functionality and efficiency benefits to content with analog origination. This enables multiple solutions, including achievement of all-digital cable services through digital simulcast as a gradual migration path achieved by BRE20 encoding and network edge decoding.

"EGT's high quality video encoding with reliability and bandwidth efficiency has driven BigBand Networks' selection of them as a partner," said John Connelly, executive vice president of marketing and business development, BigBand Networks. "The BigBand BRE20, based on EGT's technology, shares many characteristics with our other platforms including intensive media processing, networking protocol agility, and modular upgradeability."

The BigBand BRE20 is a stackable, one rack unit chassis with high density to perform encoding of two analog video feeds in separate, hot-swappable modules. EGT's encoder architecture is fully programmable, with incorporation of the most advanced video algorithms, resulting in up to 30% less bandwidth than alternative products. IP and ASI outputs interface openly with BigBand platforms to avail multiple digital services, including Gigabit Ethernet transport between facilities, local digital advertising insertion with geographic targeting, switched broadcast for dynamic allocation of cable network resources only to the programming being watched by subscribers, and digital simulcast in which the basic cable tier can be accessed via analog and digital to support a gradual all-digital cable conversion.

"We have been impressed by the broad range of digital solutions BigBand Networks provides to the cable market, and are excited to address emerging opportunities together," said Greg Nicholson, CEO, EGT. "BigBand Networks' business value propositions and technological strengths are very consistent with those of EGT, positioning us well to collaborate on the cable market's most vital current initiatives, such as implementation of digital simulcasting."

Digital simulcasting is based on headend encoding and edge decoding of basic cable content. A digital version of this content, alongside the decoded analog version, is available from the network edge so that subscribers can access it by either method. This enables a cost-effective and manageable migration towards all-digital cable plants, as opposed to impractical alternatives in which simultaneous change by all subscribers and all of their devices would be required. Because content is encoded to be all-digital until the network edge, functionally rich and cost effective digital video services such as digital ad insertion and Gigabit Ethernet transport are available for all programming.

Based on EGT technologies, BigBand Real-Time Encoding on the BigBand BRE20 provides a networked approach to extend digital video advantages to analog-originating content in a multi-service environment. Benefits include:

--Encoding for highest video quality and bandwidth efficiency from a modularly upgradeable platform with great space and power efficiency;

--Open integration with BigBand BMR and other digital infrastructure, extending to analog content enhanced operator control and richer service functionality;

--ASI and IP interfaces for flexible integration with multiple network types; and

--Robust architecture including available configurations to enhance service reliability.

ABOUT BIGBAND NETWORKS

BigBand Networks, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports platforms for broadband multimedia services. These platforms are built on the company's NativeMedia(TM) technology uniquely capable of communicating and processing video, audio and data in their native formats. The field-upgradeable architecture combines advanced hardware and software technologies for high performance with agility to optimize for each service supported. This enables network operators to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and interactive services. Services supported by BigBand Networks' platforms include digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, ad insertion, VOD and iTV. The company's customers include Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Adelphia Communications, Bright House Networks, Mediacom Communications and Rogers Cable. BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA. For more information on BigBand Networks, please visit www.bigbandnet.com.

ABOUT EGT

EG Technology, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, has developed core technology advances in video compression, and makes digital video encoders that distribute professional quality video signals at very low bit rates. The company is privately owned, backed by industry-leading investors, and has successfully sold and integrated products into broadband systems of leading operators throughout North America and other countries. For more information, call 404-591-4800, or visit us at www.egtinc.com.

EG Technology(R) is a registered trademark of EG Technology, Inc.