Source: Philips Electronics, N.V.
Philips Unveils Innovative Microsoft TV-Based Advanced Set-Top Box
TriMedia-Based Device Paves The Way For New Applications And Product Combinations
Philips Electronics today demonstrated its first digital television advanced set-top box based on the new Microsoft TV software platform and Philips' fully programmable TriMedia processor. The device, on display at the Western Show in Los Angeles, is intended to fuel cable industry and mass market adoption of products that will enhance the television viewing experience with rich new interactive content, new forms of communications and E-Commerce capabilities. ""We are evolving the television viewing experience in a fundamental way,"" said Rob van Oostenbrugge, President of Philips Digital Networks. ""The Microsoft TV platform is helping us build a foundation for an entirely new category of home entertainment access devices that combine access to programming with a range of new interactive applications and services. We're taking an important first step by demonstrating and supplying this new technology to cable operators."" Philips was one of the first consumer electronics manufacturers to demonstrate an initial implementation of Microsoft TV at the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) show in June. Since then, the company has reinforced its development efforts with the adoption of its versatile TriMedia plus MIPS platform, a solution which allows for innovative applications and combination products including Time Shifting, IP Telephony and DVD. Such applications would be especially attractive in a retail product. ""Philips is playing a key role in helping us realize the potential of Microsoft TV,"" said Phil Goldman, General Manager of the TV Platform Group at Microsoft. ""The demonstrations at the Western Show give an indication of the versatility of Philips' TriMedia platform and testify to the momentum and interest we are generating in the industry. Together, Philips and Microsoft are ushering in a new world of enhanced television-based services."" Specific features of the Microsoft TV-based Philips platform include: Complete, two-way interactivity (video-on-demand, media streaming, Internet browsing, E-Commerce, Personal TV); Full DVB support with migration path to support OpenCable; and Conditional Access including the CryptoWorks system. Commercial deployments are expected by mid-2000. The first commercial deployment will be for UPC in Europe. The Philips demonstration reinforces a broad-based, strategic cooperation between Microsoft and Philips. The companies collaborate in a variety of product areas including Internet TV appliances and PC Peripherals (USB devices). About Philips Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of US$ 33.9 billion in 1998. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, color picture tubes for televisions and monitors, and one-chip TV products. Its 230,700 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, medical systems, business electronics, and IT services (Origin). Philips is quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at http://www.news.philips.com.