Low cost digital terrestrial television adapter

Amsterdam, 20th November - Consumer electronics design house, Lidcom, announces the availability of a set top box design specifically aimed at the entry-level market with a target retail price considerably lower than hitherto seen.

Amsterdam, 20th November - Consumer electronics design house, Lidcom, announces the availability of a set top box design specifically aimed at the entry-level market with a target retail price considerably lower than hitherto seen.

The box, which measures just 19 x 13 x 6cm, enables the user to receive all free-to-air digital TV video and audio channels. Although small in size the unit provides stereo output, subtitling, "now & next" information and programme details. It is fully compatible with standard and wide screen TVs and includes a channel-change timer to allow pre-programmed viewing and unattended VCR recording.

A major feature of the design is Lidcom's offer to include customised software branding that will display discreet logos or slogans at each channel change or menu access. This free and perpetual advertising of brand image will prove to be invaluable in building and sustaining brand loyalty.

Roger Guerand, CEO of Lidcom, said, "We decided, from the outset, that the design would address the mass market with a low-cost, simple to use, entry level unit that would give access to new TV programmes without the need for subscription and with a business model that eliminated any complex cross subsidy arrangements to sustain the funding model."

Guerand explained that, "By concentrating on a design based on minimum component count and essential features only, the manufactured cost allows for attractive margins at the wholesale and retail levels whilst maintaining a target price within the reach of most households. The potential market for the unit, independently assessed at between 75-120 million pieces in the UK alone, is huge."

"As new programmes are progressively added to the digital broadcast platform, 2003 is going to see the set top box as THE essential household purchase. The unit is available for delivery in quantity in early 2003 and is ready for branding now."

Lidcom has completed an in depth series of tests on their unit to ensure compliance to EMC and Safety requirements, and conformance with the UK DTG D-book performance objectives. The unit has also been tested successfully in France and Sweden ready for launch on the wider European market as soon as the time is right.

Lidcom says that future development of their set top box will be in further cost reduction as higher levels of function integration becomes available. Lidcom have no plans, at present, of entering the higher cost, advanced interactive features market, currently being targeted by other design houses and shown to have only limited market demand. Other developments underway include multi-media convergence products.

About Lidcom

Lidcom Limited is an electronics design house, developing simple to use, elegantly conceived and easy to manufacture products associated with entertainment and datacomms services.

Further details of this product and other Lidcom activities can be found at the company web-site at: http://www.lidcom.co.uk

Contact Information:

Roger Guerand
mailto:roger.guerand@lidcom.co.uk

Lidcom Limited,
The Lansbury Estate,
102 Lower Guildford Road,
Knaphill, Woking,
Surrey, GU21 2EP,
England.
Tel: +44 (0) 1483-475804
Fax: +44 (0) 1483-475809
http://www.lidcom.co.uk