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Microsoft TV Unveils Growing Ecosystem of Technology Partners for Internet Protocol Television (29/6/2004)

Making its first appearance at SUPERCOMM 2004, the Microsoft(R) TV Division -- along with technology partners Juniper Networks Inc., Lucent Technologies and TANDBERG Television -- will unveil new joint demonstrations of the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) solution.

The Microsoft TV IPTV solution is designed to enable broadband network operators to easily and efficiently offer multichannel digital TV services over their existing IP-based broadband networks and deliver a richer entertainment experience to consumers. By working with other leading television and infrastructure providers, Microsoft TV reinforces its commitment to provide telecommunications operators with the most advanced platform for delivery and management of next-generation digital TV services.

At SUPERCOMM 2004, the world's largest annual exhibition and conference for communication service providers and private network managers, Microsoft TV will demonstrate how telecommunications providers can acquire, encode and manage broadcast and on-demand video content as well as deliver next-generation TV experiences to consumers using the Microsoft TV IPTV solution. Located at booth No. 24100, Microsoft TV shows how broadband network operators can do the following:

-- Acquire on-demand content for IPTV distribution by using Microsoft TV software tools to be previewed at SUPERCOMM.
-- Encode high-quality broadcast and on-demand, standard-definition video at 1.5 Mbps, in Windows Media(R) 9 Series format, with Tandberg's EN5920 real-time hardware encoder, based on the Intelligent Compression Engine (ICE). The solution is the result of Microsoft TV's cooperation with Tandberg Television, a leading provider of real-time video encoding solutions for broadcast and IPTV telecommunications companies.
-- Manage the distribution of digital TV services to consumers. The demonstration will show for the first time how the Microsoft TV Server facilitates the scheduling of video-on-demand (VOD) assets in the interactive program guide (IPG). In addition, Microsoft TV will demonstrate interoperability with the Juniper Networks E-series routing platform for delivering assured video, voice and data quality needed in an IPTV environment.
-- Deliver a next-generation digital TV experience to consumers including both standard- and high-definition programming. The network solutions integration between Lucent Technologies and Microsoft TV enables delivery of standard-definition, high-definition and on-demand programming to the Microsoft TV client set-top box via the Lucent Stinger(R) IP-enabled DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) and the Lucent CellPipe(R)ADSL2+ modem.

"Microsoft TV is excited to be working with industry leaders like Juniper Networks, Lucent and TANDBERG Television to define a new way for network operators to bring to market compelling, competitive and cost-effective TV services," said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV Division. "The quickly emerging IPTV market brings powerful new opportunities for broadband network operators. The joint efforts of Microsoft and our industry partners will drive significant innovation and offer telecommunications providers the best solutions for bringing unique entertainment, communications and connected home experiences to consumers."

www.microsoft.com/tv