NCTC Endorses EGT MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder; Independent Operators Gain Access to New Premium Encoder.

ATLANTA -- EGT, Inc., delivering the world's best digital video experience, announces an endorsement from the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) to become the newest "Platinum Level" vendor, authorized to provide video encoders for its members. The MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder, delivering the highest quality video at the lowest bit-rate in the industry, is especially suited to the independent operator. The encoder is twice the density of leading competitors, occupies half the rack space, consumes half the power, provides 30 percent lower bit rate at a higher picture quality - all at a lower cost per channel.

Greg Nicholson, CEO of EGT states, "The NCTC endorsement helps us make independent operators aware of our new product offering. The purchasing power of the cooperative means these operators can enjoy volume pricing."

"EGT's video encoding solution is very well suited for today's market. It is a carefully engineered product, designed to meet the changing requirements of an operator in transition from traditional to advanced digital service offerings," said Mark Bishop, senior vice president of Hardware Sales for NCTC. "The NCTC vendor approval program provides all NCTC-member independent cable operators with the engineering assurance and contract provisions for best of breed products, typically reserved for major MSOs. We are pleased EGT has joined our program, and we believe our members will benefit greatly from the easy access to EGT's professional encoders this agreement will provide," added Bishop.

Cable operators across North America are deploying added-value service offerings, such as HDTV, VOD and high-speed data access. Some are faced with hard choices about allocating bandwidth for optimal profitability. EGT's MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder allows operators to free up to 30 percent bandwidth that can be used for these high value services.

Equally important to operators is the superior video quality EGT delivers. Through advances in core encoding algorithms, EGT has propelled MPEG-2 video quality to a higher level, while lowering bandwidth requirements. EGT's PicturePerfect(SM) compression engine continually optimizes rate control, motion estimation and noise filtering parameters based on the content, resulting in the best video quality in the market, especially at lower bit rates.

EGT produces the only professional video encoders that can cascade up to 16 channels multiplexed into a single multi-program transport stream. EGT encoders' double-density chassis and cascading feature provide greater flexibility in rack configurations and service delivery options through a single multiplexer, while also lowering total system cost. The EGT encoders are compatible upstream and downstream with all MPEG-2 standard equipment, giving operators an easy and cost-effective option to gain an immediate boost in network channel capacity.

EGT has recently announced a number of other encoder installations in Canada, including major encoder sales to independent operators Persona Communications and Mountain Cablevision. EGT also announced that Cogeco Cable, Inc., Canada's fourth largest cable operator, has purchased US$ 1 million in EGT MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoders, citing EGT's superior video quality, especially at low bit rates.

These cable operators have deployed EGT's innovative encoders in their simulcast networks, which offer full analog and digital lineups as a first step in a transition to all digital networks. With EGT MPEG-2 encoders, operators gain an immediate boost of up to 30 percent greater bandwidth efficiency, freeing up bandwidth capacity critical to successful dual carriage and new high-value service offerings.

EGT's MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder streamlines digital conversion and new service provisioning in these important ways:

--Superior video quality output, especially at lower bit rates

--Greater bandwidth efficiency enables up to 30 percent more channels per slot

--Simultaneous ASI and IP outputs support legacy and Gigabit Ethernet networks

--Dense package, 2 channels per rack unit, relieves rack-space constraints

--48 watts of power per channel--half the competition--lowers operating cost

--Encoder cascading provides lower cost per stream for local encoding of analog channels

--Upgradeable DSP-platform and hot-swappable modules ensure future compatibility

--Standard video noise reduction filter cleans noisy video signals and improves both quality & bit rate efficiency

EGT Inc. delivers the world's best digital video experience, helping today's leading broadband service providers deliver more value-added services and realize new revenue streams using existing networks. Today's North American and international MSOs rely on EGT's technology as a cost-effective, flexible solution for delivering the best video quality experience in the world, more channels of content, video on demand and analog-to-digital conversions within existing networks. The company's flagship product, MPEG-2 Digital Video Encoder, uses advanced compression techniques to deliver superior video quality. Headquartered in Atlanta, EGT is privately owned and backed by industry-leading investors. For more information call 404-591-4800, or visit at www.egtinc.com.

A member-operated programming and hardware buying cooperative, NCTC represents more than 1,200 independent cable operators in all 50 states. As a group, their 6,500 individual systems provide cable service to more than 15 million subscribers nationwide.

Michael Pandzik has served as the Co-op's founding President and CEO since NCTC's inception in 1984. The Cooperative is headquartered in Lenexa, Ks., a southwestern suburb of Kansas City.

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