Microsoft and Sigma Designs Pave the Way for Low-Cost IPTV Devices

System-on-Chip Technology Stimulates Market Opportunity for High-Definition IPTV Services

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at IBC2005, the International Broadcasters Convention, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM) announced the availability of a new class of system-on-chip (SOC) that will enable the production of low-cost, high-definition-capable devices optimized for the Microsoft(R) TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform.

The new SMP8634 media processor from Sigma Designs will enable set-top box and consumer electronics manufacturers to create a range of products for broadband service providers to deliver IPTV services to the home.

Microsoft and Sigma Designs have worked closely together to extend the processing functionality of Sigma Designs' open standards-based SMP8634 media processor to achieve a feature set that delivers the full power of the Microsoft TV platform. This innovative SOC is capable of delivering multiple channels of high-definition (HD) video and on-screen graphics, powerful multimedia processing, powerful content security, and support for a full range of peripherals such as USB 2.0, IDE, Ethernet and HDMI. Support for the VC-1 and H.264 (MPEG-4) video codecs is also built in, further reducing costs for set-top box manufacturers.

The SOC can be embedded inside a range of consumer electronic devices to enable consumers to choose from a variety of IPTV-ready receivers such as TV sets, set-top boxes, digital video disc players and gaming consoles. These offerings create more "on ramps" to the connected digital home, enabling great stand-alone IPTV experiences that are ultimately "better together" when connected to other compatible devices and services.

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