[January 8, 2001]

Streaming21, Sigma Designs, Neon Technology Form Three-Way Alliance To Deliver Complete Video-On-Demand Solution

Streaming21 (S21), in collaboration with Neon Technology and Sigma Designs, announced a joint solution for the delivery of broadcast-quality video and audio streaming. Streaming21 will spearhead the alliance by providing carrier-class delivery and a content distribution platform enabling the future of IP television. Neon's participation will be driven through their impressive SurfReady Set-Top Box environment, which delivers easy-to-use Internet access and high-quality video by using Sigma Designs' decoder chips. Sigma Designs is well known for its  digital video MPEG decoder silicon and broadcast quality MPEG chips. This three-way alliance offers consumers the promise of a brand-new home entertainment experience.

"The market for entertainment on demand is growing tremendously. In the coming years, an end-to-end solution integrating set-top boxes, standard television, and streaming media servers will be critical for the VOD market," said Dr. David Du, CEO of Streaming21. "S21 is pleased to partner with Sigma Designs and Neon Technology to offer best of breed content distribution technologies to our customers."

True, IP-based, broadcast quality Video on Demand (VOD) adds a new dimension to traditional set-top boxes and the passive television viewing experience. Consumers will no longer have to wait for a specific pre-programmed broadcast time to watch a limited set of movies. True broadcast quality VOD combines the impact of television with the flexibility of VCR functions allowing a consumer to watch what they want when they want. The joint solution enables broadcasters, digital cable providers, and broadband service providers to extend the reach of existing content over global IP networks, while personalizing the end-user experience on an individual basis.

"Demand for IP-based Video on Demand continues to increase rapidly as we enter the era of interactive set-top boxes," said Ken Lowe, Vice President of Marketing, Sigma Designs. "This joint solution with Neon Technology and Streaming21 exemplifies that trend which makes excellent use of our high quality MPEG decoder silicon as a streaming video solution."

"Neon Technology has long been dedicated to bringing our customers the best entertainment features," said Yen-Pin Chou, President of Neon Technology. "To continue offering the latest entertainment options, we are excited to team with Sigma Designs and Streaming21 to deliver the future of television through our easy to use set-top boxes."

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