| TATUNG Launches New Digital STB2000
Set-top Box Series Based On Sigma Designs SMP8634 Media
Processor. |
TAIWAN - March XX, 2006 -TATUNG proudly launched its much
acclaimed new high-definition, digital set-top boxes after
receiving a huge success at the 2006 Cebit in Hannover. These
latest set-top boxes 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 STB5000 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
main stream 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 STB2000series
is the most complete solution in the market, and its advanced
features and quality can satisfy most 90 percent of all customer
demand within the next five years. Sigma's SMP8634 powerful
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 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 billions 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 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/.
News contact:
Crystal Hsu
Marketing division, IPTV BU, Tatung Co.
TEL : +886-2-2598-5430
e-mail: crystal@tatung.com