Espial and Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) Collaborate to Advance HTML Rendering for Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) Solutions

OTTAWA, Canada-Sept.3, 2002-Espial, a leading provider of software and services for smart Internet devices, today announced a partnership with IRT to build HTML rendering solutions for advanced DVB-MHP designs.

Espial and Institut für Rundfunktechnik (PRWEB) September 4, 2002

Industry Leaders Partner to Integrate HTML Rendering IRTs MHP Reference Implementation

OTTAWA, Canada-Sept.3, 2002-Espial, a leading provider of software and services for smart Internet devices, today announced a partnership with IRT to build HTML rendering solutions for advanced DVB-MHP designs. Espial and IRT will integrate the Espial Escape HTML rendering engine with IRTs MHP Reference Implementation. This combined solution will leverage standardized, proven technologies, enabling rapid development of interactive TV services.

This partnership teams key industry players. IRT significantly contributed to the DVB-MHP specifications and to MHP conformance testing. Espial has built the only advanced HTML rendering engine with TV navigation and formatting features that can be managed by the MHP development of interactive TV services using HTML rather than complex programming methods. As a result, broadcasters can expand service offerings quickly and inexpensively.

"We are impressed with the advanced engineering work Espial has completed towards Espial Escapes compliances with the MHP 1.1 specifications," said Dr. Henning Wilkens, Managing Director at IRT. This association will provide customers with the software they require not only to be compliant, but also to open new avenues of programming, information, and revenue."

Set-top boxes that are MHP enabled can provide: interactive television, program guides, video on demand, shopping, secure banking, email, digital music, and can provide additional multimedia and personalized services. An estimated 40 million set-top boxes are predicted to be deployed worldwide this year. Set-top boxes powered with MHP interactive TV functionality will begin shipping later this year.

"Espial has worked closely with MHP experts to bring immediate solutions to market. It was obvious that we must work with IRT to push the MHP platform to the next level," said Dr. Neale Foster, Director of Marketing, TV at Espial. "The result of this collaboration will enable us to provide cost effective software solutions bringing interactivity and expanded programming to video and other multimedia devices."

Espial Suite for TV will be demonstrated at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, September 13-17.

About IRT

The Institut für Rundfunktechnik, was founded as a private company in 1956 as the central research and development establishment for the public broadcasting organizations in Germany (ARD, joined by ZDF in 1964, and DLR in 1993), in Austria (ORF, 1990), and in Switzerland (SRG/SSR, 1989).

The main focus of IRT's work is the improvement of existing and development of new digital systems and their standardization. IRT works mainly for its associates and increasingly for third parties through the business areas "Collaborative Research" and "R&D Services." More information regarding IRT can be found at www.irt.de <http://www.irt.de>

About Espial Escape
Espial Escape is the first 100% Java browser to offer a scalable configuration that supports key Internet standards. Thanks to its exceptional feature set, Escape has emerged as one of the only Java browsers to have been successfully deployed on multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs). Now in its fourth major commercial release, Escape is proven Java browser technology that has been commercially deployed and works across a range of smart Internet device categories, including: Internet appliances, interactive digital TVs, wireless devices and automotive infotainment systems, For more information on Espial Escape, visit http://www.espial.com/escape.

About Espial
With more than 90 device design wins with companies such as Intel, Motorola, On Command, Philips, Sony and Samsung, Espial has deployed proven solutions for devices relying on Internet technology. Espial software allows customers to create services, deliver devices, manage infrastructure while building revenue in a cost effective manner. Espial technology applies universally across sectors such as TV, wireless, automotive and other connected devices. Visit www.espial.com.

For further information please contact:

Craig Olson
Media Relations, Espial
+1 515 224 7641
colson@espial.com