LAS VEGAS -- NDS (NASDAQ:NNDS - News; EURONEXT:NNDS) (BSE:NNDS - News), the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced the porting of its MediaHighway OCAP-based middleware to an all-digital set-top box with an embedded DOCSIS® modem from Thomson (NYSE:TMS - News) , the worldwide leader in access solutions for satellite, cable, terrestrial broadcast, and telecommunications networks.

The OpenCable(TM) Application Platform (OCAP(TM)) is the middleware software specification adopted by the Cable industry to enable application writers to create new interactive services that will run on a broad range of advanced digital set tops and cable-ready TVs.

The set-top box from Thomson (the DCI62) reduces the time to market and cost of deployment for cable operators. This combination of MediaHighway middleware on the Thomson DCI62 set-top box will provide an all-digital solution with a DOCSIS set-top gateway profile (DSG) for cable operators who are ready for a digital switchover. In addition, the DCI62 can be used for high-speed data access, making it a genuine double-play box.

The demonstration of the set-top box at CES will showcase games and interactive advertising, and it will also feature the Emmy® Award-winning Moxi Menu and Guide from Digeo, Inc. Digeo is a leading provider of multi-tuner high-definition DVR media center solutions to the cable industry and has worked with NDS and Thomson to develop a demonstration of the Moxi Menu and Guide on OCAP running on the Thomson set-top box. Demonstrations can be seen at both the Thomson Showroom located in Ballroom II of the Renaissance Hotel, and at the NDS Showcase located in the Bellini Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel. The NDS Showcase is by invitation only (see media contacts below).

"NDS is delighted to work again with its long time partner, Thomson, to address the OCAP market requirements," said Caroline Le Bigot, president of NDS France. "As we see the growing demand from US cable operators for the OCAP standard, we are very happy that Thomson recognizes our MediaHighway OCAP middleware as a state-of-the-art solution to address the set-top box market."

NDS MediaHighway middleware is the world's most popular platform for the development of advanced television applications. It has been deployed by more than 25 pay-TV operators worldwide and it is resident on more than 21 million set-top boxes.

"A couple of weeks ago, we signed the CableCARD(TM) Host Interface License Agreement with CableLabs, which enabled us to develop cable Customer Premises Equipment with a CableCARD(TM) removable security interface. Today, we are bringing our commitment to the US cable industry to a higher level with the introduction of an OCAP version of our popular DCI5000 and DCI6000 cable STB lines," said Frederic Kurkjian, vice president, worldwide cable, for Thomson. "OCAP is a key feature for cable vendors like Thomson, and for MSOs who want to introduce new interactive services. Building on our long-term partnership with NDS, we have been able to jointly develop a flexible solution that specifically caters to North American MSO needs."

NDS Ltd.