Microsoft Certifies Modulus

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Modulus Video, Inc., a leading provider of MPEG-4 AVC video compression systems, today announced that its ME6000 is the first high definition (HD) MPEG-4 AVC video encoder to be certified for the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform. Utilizing an advanced architecture that delivers HD at the lowest possible bit rates, the ME6000 is also the first HD AVC encoder to provide integrated support for Microsoft TV Picture-in-Picture (PIP) functionality. The ME6000 is currently being deployed by operators worldwide and will be on display at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas, April 24-27, Booth SU250.

Microsoft director of worldwide partner development Phil Corman said, "We have been working closely with Modulus Video to bring high definition video to IPTV. The combination of Microsoft TV and the Modulus Video ME6000 brings the immersive quality of HD video and a compelling feature set including PIP functionality that is exactly what today's viewing audience expects."

In addition to efficiently encoding the main HD service, the ME6000 encoder also creates and encodes the low resolution PIP stream. Delivering the PIP stream directly from the encoder reduces cost and simplifies the system design required to deliver the advanced features offered by the Microsoft IPTV platform. The ME6000 also easily integrates with leading systems management products. Its Constrained Fidelity Constant Bit-Rate (CF-CBR) feature dynamically balances bandwidth usage between video and other network services to provide the best possible end user experience in the available network bandwidth.

Modulus Video chairman and CEO Bob Wilson noted, "As the first company to be working with MSTV on their HD solution, we have had tremendous interest from many Telcos around the world. Judging by the already high level of shipments to several of them, and the strong list of trials and evaluations underway, it is clear to us that HD is already an important part of the IPTV experience."

Modulus Video Inc.