S3 Group and Broadcom Support BSkyB’s Set-Top Box Development

DUBLIN-- July 19, 2010 --S3 Group today announced that it has collaborated with Sky on the development of its latest high-definition (HD), low-power set-top boxes (STBs), the DRX890 and the DRX895. These boxes include highly integrated and advanced STB technology from Broadcom Corporation. Both boxes boast enhanced features, increased storage capacity and energy saving capabilities. And as with Sky’s existing Sky+HD STBs, the boxes have also been designed to support future services launching in 2010 such as broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3DTV. “Broadcom’s high-end single chip solution, coupled with our product IP and system integration expertize, have helped create a quality solution which sets the standard for the industry at large.”

.Broadcom’s BCM7335 HD DVR satellite system-on-chip (SoC) solution features a high level of integration and performance to enable broadcasters such as Sky to offer advanced features and low power consumption. Furthermore S3 Group’s coLinkTVTM software product helped Sky get these products to market faster. S3 Group also used its own automated testing solution, StormTestTM, to test the functionality of the boxes throughout the entire development and system test cycle. Sky has been routinely utilising StormTest for in-house testing of their boxes since early 2009.

Roger Lambert, Sky’s director of customer technology, comments: “Working with Broadcom and S3 Group as partners has been a great experience and we are very proud of the products we have created together. Providing our customers with high performance, high reliability HD PVRs is central to our on-going HD leadership, and also for launching innovative new services like 3D and video-on-demand.”

“By combining Broadcom’s field proven and advanced set-top box technology with S3 Group’s software and analysis tools, Sky has been able to quickly deploy its latest industry-leading set-top boxes with DVR,” said Julian Wood, vice president of sales, EMEA for Broadcom. “Sky continues to innovate by supporting next generation services such as video-on-demand and 3D that even further enhances the TV entertainment experience in the home.”

“Broadcom’s high-end single chip solution, coupled with our product IP and system integration expertize, have helped create a quality solution which sets the standard for the industry at large.” said Philip Brennan, VP TV Technology, S3 Group.

About Sky

Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Over 9.7 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels.

Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK’s only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

More than 6.5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 2.5 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access to 40 dedicated HD channels. Sky has also been the UK’s fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider over the last two years.

About S3 Group

S3 Group provides product, solutions and professional services to the Digital TV, Telehealth and Semiconductor industries. S3 Group has over 15 years experience working with global operators, Set-Top Box (STB) manufacturers, middleware vendors, conditional access vendors and semiconductor companies. The company is recognized for providing complete solutions using its skilled engineering and project management resources specializing in Lead System Integration Services, Consultancy Services, Equipment Upgrade and Maintenance of digital TV Products. Founded in 1986, S3 Group has development centers in Ireland (Dublin and Cork), the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal and San Jose in the USA with sales offices and representatives globally. For further information please visit www.s3group.com/tv-technology