Tatung Launches New Digital STB2000 Set-Top Box Series Based on Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Media Processor
TAIPEI, Taiwan—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 17, 2006—
Tatung launched its new high-definition, digital set-top
boxes with success at the 2006 Cebit in Hannover. These latest set-top
boxes (STBs) deliver full high-definition video, up to 1080i
resolution, while simultaneously supporting streams encoded under
MPEG-2, VC-1 and H.264 (also known as MPEG-4 Part 10) compression. The
Tatung STB2000 STB series are based on Sigma Designs' (Nasdaq:SIGM)
SMP8634 media processor. In addition to traditional outputs such as
component and composite, Tatung's new STBs also provide HDMI
interface, which enhances the consumer entertainment experience.
Currently many other telco companies have adopted Tatung's STB2000
series set-top boxes for their IPTV services.
The newly launched STB2000 hybrid functions not only as an
interactive IPTV but also provides a digital TV tuner capability. The
tuner capability will be supported under DVB-T standards in the first
quarter of 2006, and later provide ATSC, DVB-C and DVB-S2. The STB2000
home networking feature can support mainstream products, such as Home
PNA 3.0 and Home Plug.
"Tatung has already been in the advanced, digital set-top box
market for six straight years," said W.Y. Lin, executive vice
president of Tatung. "The STB2000 series is the most complete solution
in the market, and its advanced features and quality can satisfy
requirements for nearly all customer demand within the next five
years. Sigma's SMP8634 media processor streamlines a myriad of
capabilities and features into a solid, single-chip, system-on-chip
solution. Moreover, the price point for the new STB is also attractive
to telco and service providers. We are seeing a strong demand for this
product in 2006, and service providers have progressively marketed the
Interactive TV service. The STB2000 series will be the best platform
and solution."
Most major middleware suppliers are developing support for
Tatung's new STB2000. At the 2005 IBC show, Microsoft made a public
statement that its IPTV middleware was set to support the STB2000
series. Tatung's digital set-top box will support American, European
and Asian TV standards. In the meantime, Tatung will utilize its
plants across the globe (in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Czech and Mexico)
to meet customer demand and provide prompt service.
About Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Media Processor
Sigma's SMP8634 media processor integrates a complete complement
of next-generation capabilities for a single-chip system-on-chip (SOC)
solution with powerful multimedia processing, robust content security
system, and a full complement of peripherals. Its advanced decoder
engines support video decoding of H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10), Windows
Media(R) Video 9 (Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed
SMPTE standard), MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (part 2) with multiple streams, up
to the equivalent of two high-definition video streams.
High-performance graphics acceleration, multi-standard audio decoding,
advanced display processing capabilities, and HDMI/HDCP output round
out its multimedia core. Powerful content security is ensured through
a dedicated secure processor, flash memory, and a range of digital
rights management (DRM) engines for high-speed payload decryption. The
SMP8634's 300-MIPS host CPU, 3.2 GB/second unified memory controller,
Ethernet 10/100 controller, dual USB 2.0 controller, and IDE
controller provide for a single-chip solution for most set-top boxes
and consumer players.
About Tatung
Established in 1918, Tatung Company currently owns 43 main
subsidiary companies and reached $7.5 billion USD in sales in 2004
(including invested companies). Its main products include computers,
consumer electronics, home appliances, telecommunication products,
wires and cables, and heavy industrial products.
Since 1997, Tatung IPTV BU has also been at the forefront of
research and sales/business development of digital home solutions such
as IP-based set top boxes, DMR (Digital Media Recorder), MCPC, PDP/LCD
TV, etc. We are prepared to launch new products into the market in
the first quarter of 2006.
About Sigma Designs, Inc.
Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM) specializes in silicon-based media
processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high
definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The
company's award-winning REALmagic(R) Video Streaming Technology is
used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated
solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and
MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales
offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more
information, please visit the company's web site at
www.sigmadesigns.com/.
Contact:
Tatung Co.
Crystal Hsu, +886-2-2598-5430
Email Contact
http://www.tatung.tv
or
Sigma Designs, Inc.
Ken Lowe, 408-957-9850
Email Contact
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