Minerva Networks and ADB Announce High Definition, MPEG-4 AVC IPTV Solution Ready for Market Deployment

Minerva’s iTVManager and ADB’s SD/HD/AVC ADB-3800W STB now generally available.

Santa Clara, CA and Geneva, Switzerland (PRWEB) May 22, 2007 -- Minerva Networks (www.minervanetworks.com), the leading provider of open IPTV service delivery platforms and applications, and Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) (www.adbglobal.com), a leader in the design and development of high-quality set-top boxes (STBs) to the digital television market, announce today the certification and immediate availability of Minerva’s iTVManager IPTV services management platform and ADB’s new ADB-3800W high definition (HD) IPTV set-top box. This solution will enable telcos to deliver television services to their subscribers using standard definition (SD), HD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats.

“Without HD services, IPTV operators have been at a disadvantage relative to their cable and satellite competition. This integrated solution levels the playing field,” stated Jean-Georges Fritsch, COO of Minerva Networks. “ADB has been a terrific partner in this process and our customers will be pleased with the results. Minerva is proud to have ADB as a fully certified HD/H.264 STB partner.”

ADB has already won two international industry awards for its HD/Advanced Video Coding (AVC) IPTV technology and is the leader in hybrid IPTV STB deployments in Europe. This initiative marks its entry into the North American IPTV market.

“We are delighted to have worked with Minerva Networks on this project and can confirm that our joint IPTV solution is now certified and immediately available,” commented Philippe Lambinet, CEO of ADB. “Our feature-rich technology can now be rolled-out to telcos, enabling them to deliver new revenue-generating, TV-centric services to their consumers, while optimizing network performance through the introduction of advanced video coding [MPEG-4.”

Minerva’s iTVManager is the most complete, open and advanced IPTV software platform for the delivery of compelling video services over broadband networks, including broadcast video, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital video recording, and converged applications.

The ADB-3800W is an advanced, digital set-top box incorporating SD and HD television reception and is based on MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC. The unit enables operators to maximize their broadcast bandwidth, while presenting consumers with a high quality, feature-rich television experience. ADB’s unique driver and operating software, coupled with an optimal memory configuration and state-of-the-art microprocessor, result in enhanced system performance, including fast channel decoding and swift rendering of applications such as the Electronic Program Guide (EPG).

ADB-3800W set-top boxes are immediately available for commercial deployment through ADB’s distributor Border States Electric (www.borderstateselectric.com) in Fargo, ND.

About Minerva Networks

Minerva Networks is the leading provider of open-platform, carrier-class solutions for the delivery of television services over broadband IP networks. More than 90 broadband network operators worldwide use Minerva's products and services to deliver next-generation entertainment and communications applications. For more information about Minerva Networks, visit www.minervanetworks.com.

About ADB

Advanced Digital Broadcast (www.adbglobal.com) is a leader in the design, development and supply of high-quality products to the world-wide digital television market. The Company has deployed over 8 million set-top boxes, across high-volume markets, incorporating the industry’s pioneering middleware, conditional access and hardware technologies.

ADB is a member of the ADB Group of companies; ADB Group (www.adbholdings.com) is publicly listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SWX:ADBN).

ADB. Defining Digital.

For more information, contact:

Michelle Kwan, Minerva Networks

+1 408-904-1237

mkwan @ minervanetworks.com

Mark Goodburn, ADB

Director of Marketing

+44 7989 961437 (UK)

m.goodburn @ adbglobal.com

For sales enquiries, contact:

Kathy Wolfe, ADB

+1 480-513-1398

k.wolfe @ adbglobal.com

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