Tality Delivers Java-based Multimedia Home Platform Solution On IBM Set-top Box Chipsets

Solution Accelerates Adoption For Interactive Home Media Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2002--Tality Corporation today announced availability of a Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) solution for digital set-top boxes based on the IBM PowerPC®-based STB03xxx chipset. Tality's MHP software solution has been ported to IBM's STB03xxx Evaluation Kit and WindRiver's VxWorks® RTOS. This solution significantly reduces the time to develop and bring to market next generation MHP set-top boxes.

Tality's software solution includes an MHP 1.0.2 compliant implementation augmented by a comprehensive media application library. The base implementation includes a complete Software Development Kit (SDK), a Porting Kit (PK) and an extensive set of sample MHP applications, including Enhanced Programming Guide (EPG), Email and PVR. The JMF component-based Porting Kit allows for fast migration of the MHP implementation from the reference designs to actual production hardware. The SDK enables the development of applications on Windows, Linux and VxWorks-based development systems and on set-top boxes running Linux or VxWorks. Tality has also integrated web browsers, email clients, games and 3rd party MHP applications into its MHP stack.

IBM's STB03xxx chip family includes an MPEG-2 audio/video decoder, a memory interface subsystem and a range of peripheral interfaces all on a single piece of silicon. Based on the PowerPC processor, it features high-speed operation at 162 MHz, with a 16-KB instruction cache and an 8-KB data cache, providing the performance necessary for a range of new services.

"IBM's work with Tality to support their MHP solution for the digital television market is intended to allow OEMs the opportunity to rapidly deliver high quality, interactive digital television solutions," said John Sixsmith, marketing manager, Digital Video Products Group, IBM Microelectronics. "IBM's set-top box chips are well suited for cost-sensitive boxes and have the CPU performance headroom to handle the MHP software environment and new applications that will be deployed as the MHP standard gains traction in the marketplace."

"This solution offers added value for customers in the fast-moving digital television and interactive digital services businesses," said Diana Anderson, group director of Tality's MHP business group. "Tality's software combined with IBM hardware will cut product development time for MHP-enabled digital consumer products and offer customers a rapid, reliable path to next generation set-top boxes and televisions."

About MHP

The MHP specification is an open standard that defines a generic interface between interactive digital applications and their terminal devices, enabling the development of applications executable on multiple terminal device types, regardless of their architecture. Such devices include set-top boxes, home and media gateways, integrated digital TV sets and multimedia PCs. The specification was developed by Digital Video Broadcast Project (DVB), an industry-led consortium of over 300 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers, regulatory bodies and others in over 35 countries, committed to designing global standards for the delivery of digital television and data services. Conformance testing is under the supervision of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

Tality licenses MHP software to consumer electronics manufacturers broadcast and network operators, content providers and application developers. Its highly portable and scaleable MHP solution is uniquely positioned to offer value to customers seeking a cost effective and efficient path to MHP.

About IBM

IBM Microelectronics is a key contributor to IBM's role as the world's premier information technology supplier. IBM Microelectronics develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art semiconductor and interconnect technologies, products and services. IBM makes chips for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to the smallest cell phones. Its superior integrated solutions can be found in many of the world's best-known electronic brands. More information about IBM Microelectronics can be found at: http://www.chips.ibm.com.

About Tality

Tality Corporation, a subsidiary of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CDN - news), is the world's largest electronic product development outsourcing provider. Leading and emerging technology companies around the globe leverage Tality's engineering services and intellectual property for the design of complex electronic systems and integrated circuits. Tality is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information about Tality, please visit us at www.tality.com.

Note to Editors: Tality is a trademark of Tality Corporation. Cadence is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

     Tality Corporation
     Jim Douglas, 408/944-7955
     jimd@tality.com
       or
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     Leslie Taschner, 415/477-4542
     leslie_taschner@cohnwolfe.com