SkyStream Offers Complete MPEG-4 AVC Solution for IPTV; SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC Headends Integrate with Leading Set-Top Boxes to Provide Extensive Choice and Flexibility for Service Providers.

LAS VEGAS -- SkyStream(R), the leader in IP video delivery solutions, today announced the integration of its MPEG-4 AVC headends, the Mediaplex(TM) and iPlex(TM) platforms, with set-top boxes from Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB), Astri, i3, Sentivision, and Thomson.

By giving service providers flexibility and choice with a wide-range of proven MPEG-4 AVC set-top box options and potential applications, SkyStream is offering a complete, interoperable solution to enable roll-out of end-to-end MPEG-4 AVC-based services. SkyStream's AVC complete solution works with any leading middleware and leading digital rights management (DRM) or conditional access (CA) solutions that service providers select for their deployments.

SkyStream's headends will provide MPEG-4 AVC encoding and transcoding to convert MPEG-2 content to an MPEG-4 format, for transmission over any type of network to an MPEG-4 set-top box. This ability to deliver high-quality content at low bit rates generates substantial bandwidth and cost savings for service providers offering IPTV, Video-on-Demand and content delivery over any last mile network. SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC solution uses highly efficient algorithms, including CABAC and CAVLC, to produce superior broadcast video at half the bit rate of MPEG-2.

"Our integration and interoperability testing with these pioneering set-top box manufacturers will give service providers the confidence they need to adopt new technologies that enhance their businesses with new offerings," said Francois Modarresse, director of marketing, SkyStream. "MPEG-4 AVC allows telcos and IPTV service providers to use their existing broadband networks to deliver broadcast-quality video services. SkyStream and its partners make simple, cost-effective MPEG-4 AVC deployment possible in any network."

"Interoperability with SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC solutions increases the options available to the market and enables our service operator customers to run their networks more efficiently," said William Luehrs, President of ADB Americas. "This venture with SkyStream is an important step in making the upgrade from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 an easy and painless process for service providers."

"Products and applications using ASTRI's state-of-the-art AVC codec technology and STB reference design will benefit immediately from improved video quality and reduced cost," said Dr. Shen-Chang Chao, Vice President of Communications and Application Software, Wireless Technology of ASTRI. "Since our solution is 100% software programmable, products that utilize our solution will also benefit from continued improvement and innovation on the algorithmic front in the future."

SkyStream's MPEG-4 AVC real-time encoder submodules operate in its Mediaplex-20 and iPlex headends. The compact size of the MPEG-4 AVC submodules -- the industry's smallest broadcast-quality MPEG-4 encoders -- enable the high density of SkyStream's headends. The Mediaplex headend supports 48 encoders in a single chassis, and the iPlex ultra-compact headend supports eight encoders in a single rack-unit.

"i3 is pleased that its Mood(TM) 300 MPEG-4 AVC IP Set-top Box is part of the MPEG-4 demo at NAB and SkyStream's advanced encoding ecosystem. Commercial availability of advanced encoding and decoding technology is key for leading IPTV service providers," says Jan Werne, CEO, i3 micro technology.

A demonstration of SkyStream's complete MPEG-4 AVC solution will be shown at SkyStream's booth #SL2756 in the South Hall during NAB 2005, April 18 to 21. There will be an appointment-only demonstration of MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 AVC transcoding, an industry first, at the show. Please inquire at SkyStream's booth for more information.

MPEG-4 capabilities are available on set-top boxes from the following manufacturers:

--ADB's iCAN 3100 series: a highly-configurable digital set-top box for telecommunications and broadcast operators that delivers MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC video decoding and can combine IP video reception with video broadcast via terrestrial or satellite and interactive services, such as online gaming, e-mail and T-commerce.

--Astri IP Set Top Box: an affordable and cost effective IP set-top-box platform with a wide range of applications including IPTV and Video-On-Demand; with upgradeable multiple codecs to provide flexible types of media service support; along with easy integration and expansion to triple play.

--i3's Mood 300 series: shipping in June, the Mood 300 set top and the optional PVR capability is based on i3's experience in over 40 commercial telco IP TV deployments. Using downloadable codecs for both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 gives service providers media flexibility and extended product life.

--Sentivison's SV-510: the Sentivision SV-510 has successfully completed interoperability testing with the SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC encoder and supports Video-on-Demand, IPTV and Web browsing. Sentivision is an innovative provider of cutting-edge media technologies and products for the digital entertainment market.

--Thomson's IP1001: a flexible and affordable IP set-top box that delivers standard and high-definition television, expands broadband services and allows operators to deploy new services and hardware variations such as tuners and hard disc drives for multi-service applications including VOD, PVR and home networking.

"Our collaboration with SkyStream allows network operators to deliver advanced television services with bandwidth efficiency," said Keith Wehmeyer, General Manager, IP Video North America, Thomson. "Implementing IPTV requires an integrated encoder and decoder package, and the SkyStream MPEG-4 AVC solution combined with the IP1100 advanced compression set-top box enables service providers to provide high-definition content over their existing networks."

To arrange for a demonstration, for pricing and additional information, please send email to SkyStream at [e-mail] or call [phone].

About SkyStream

SkyStream provides IP video delivery platforms that enable service providers to transform their business by offering IPTV and MPEG-4 Video Services. SkyStream's products lower opex and capex costs by 40 - 50% and optimize video delivery over any last mile network: zBand(TM) content delivery software for PUSH video on demand; Mediaplex-20(TM) and iPlex(TM) switched digital video headends and the Source Media Router series of IP Encapsulation solutions. SkyStream is the fastest-growing provider of IP video solutions with over 250 customers.

SkyStream's website can be found on the Internet at www.skystream.com.