LG Electronics Uses Sigma Designs Media Processors For Korea Telecom Set-top Boxes; Media Processors From Sigma Continue To Penetrate IPTV Market

30-Aug-04

Sigma Designs announced that LG Electronics has selected Sigma Designs to power its new IP set-top boxes, which will be deployed by Korea Telecom. The new LG Electronics model DOD2000, which features the Sigma Designs media processor, is being readied for volume shipments, which are expected to begin in September 2004. In March of this year, Korea Telecom announced the pilot launch of its new Home N network service for Seoul and the surrounding area. Home N is billed as the world's first full-scale broadband home networking service that provides a variety of applications, including wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, high-quality video and audio, home automation, and two-way TV using a home gateway developed by KT. Home N utilizes a high-speed connection, ensuring subscribers can enjoy crystal-clear video, as well as CD-quality sound through Internet-connected TV. With monthly fees starting under 16,000 won (under $14 USD), their goal is to attract a total of 100,000 customers to the Home N service by year-end, and to extend next-generation services across the nation next year. The services for this year include VOD (Video On Demand), by which customers can enjoy various digital content such as, DVD-level quality movies and animation through a TV connected to a Megapass, high-speed Internet line; TV-based Internet broadcasting (IP multicasting); Home Viewer service which allows the consumer to monitor their home through a home camera, from anywhere at anytime; Living information service which provides live local information including local news, a shopping center guide, a guide on public organizations and a shopping guide; SMS service which allows the consumer to send simple messages via the TV; and Satellite broadcasting services. Next year, KT plans to progressively expand their services by adding two-way TV, T-Commerce, satellite broadcasting, games, home shopping and home automation applications. ""KT's ground-breaking new Home N service has created a lot of excitement in Korea,"" said Mr. Jun-Lae Park, Manager at LG Electronics. ""We are very proud to be selected as a set-top box manufacturer and are likewise working with top quality suppliers, such as Sigma Designs, to ensure that the new DOD2000 delivers the highest video quality with seamless operation from a consumer's perspective."" As one of the chosen manufacturers for the KT deployment, LG Electronics will be delivering their first generation set-up box, the DOD2000, which has been tested to ensure a high quality user experience. Powered by Microsoft Windows CE.net, the IP set-top box seamlessly delivers DVD quality broadband video, as well as providing home gateway and numerous home automation services. Supporting these features, the Sigma Designs media processor will provide video, audio and transport processing functions. Video functions will include NTSC TV resolution output (720x480) of MPEG-1/2, DVD-video or video CD playback, and features 8-bit alpha blending of on-screen display and graphics information. Audio decoding will include Dolby Digital, CD audio, MPEG-1 layers 2 and 3, and DTS. Volume shipments of this first generation box are expected to begin in September 2004. ""LG Electronics has continued to develop greater levels of capability for its line of IP based set-top boxes to meet the high standards set by telcos such as KT,"" said Ken Lowe, Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Sigma Designs. ""As IPTV is a strategic market segment for us, we are continually developing new chipsets to ensure that telcos such as KT have early access to the latest features and standards that will set their service apart."" For more information about Sigma Designs, please visit www.sigmadesigns.com; for more information on LG Electronics Worldwide, please visit www.lge.com; and for more information about LG Electronics USA, please visit www.lgeus.com.

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