S3 collaborates with Hantro to demonstrate DVB-H software evaluation platform

Barcelona, Spain, 14th February 2006 – Today at the 3GSM world congress Silicon & Software Systems Ltd. (S3) and Hantro demonstrated a DVB-H software platform showcasing S3's onHandTV™ DVB-H software stack and Hantro's Mobile TV Player running on Windows Mobile powered PDAs and Smartphones. S3 and Hantro's collaboration addresses handset manufacturers' current dependency on DVB-H hardware. In this platform CBMS compliant streams are delivered to the handhelds over either a standard WiFi or DVB-H air interface. The optional use of WiFi facilitates customers who are interested in evaluating DVB-H software solutions without requiring end-to-end DVB-H test systems.

Since 2004, S3's onHandTV has delivered the key protocol stacks, middleware and applications required to rapidly deploy TV on Mobile products compliant with emerging IPDC over DVB-H standards. It combines a CBMS compliant feature set with Operator Adaptation Packages (OAPs) tuned to meet the requirements of upcoming commercial networks and trials.

Based on their optimized software decoders, Hantro's Mobile TV player meets DVB-H IRD capability classes A, B and C (CPU dependent) in the minimum amount of clock cycles. Furthermore, the modular architecture of the application allows for the easy integration of additional codec support, such as Hantro's VC-1 decoder, as well as being able to take full advantage of Hantro's hardware video accelerators (where available on chip) to achieve DVB-H IRD class C compliant video decoding with less than 1MHz load on the CPU.

Speaking at 3GSM John Maguire, Business Manager, Mobile DTV products, S3 said, "We are delighted to be working with Hantro, a leading provider of embedded video technology in the handset market. S3 sees interoperability as a key success factor in the emerging Mobile DTV market and are engaging with multiple companies across the entire value chain to ensure the rapid deployment of field-proven onHandTV solutions. S3 believes this strategy reduces the risk and time-to-product for end customers wishing to enter the mobile DTV market."

"Working with S3 has enabled us to integrate our Mobile TV Player with a proven DVB-H software solution, onHandTV," said Sami Niska, Vice President of Business Development, Hantro. "One of the key advantages of the S3/Hantro solution is that it can be rapidly deployed into upcoming trials and commercial networks by simply integrating the software platform with a suitable DVB-H receiver. S3's multiple OAP support combined with Hantro's player and software and hardware H.264 and VC-1 decoders results in a highly optimized global DVB-H solution"

Hantro will be demonstrating this solution at the 3GSM world congress in Barcelona this week in Hall 1, Booth D04.

About Silicon & Software Systems Ltd. (S3):

S3 has been designing solutions for the Digital Consumer market since 1990 and has exposure across the full breadth of the industry, ranging from broadcaster to the consumer. Since 2004 S3 has been delivering leading-edge DVB-H/IPDC middleware and applications for Mobile TV.

In addition to software solutions, S3 designs ICs and full system solutions as well as reference boards and hardware designs for high-volume consumer electronics and mobile products.

S3 provides design solutions in four key areas: System IC, Digital Consumer, Network Infrastructure and Medical Systems. Approximately 50% of clients are U.S. based with the remainder based in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. S3 was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1986 and has operations in six countries: Ireland, U.S., the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic and the U.K. 
For more information visit: http://www.s3group.com/onhandtv

About Hantro:

Hantro is a world leader in multimedia technology for mobile handsets. Provided as intellectual property and delivering optimal value and performance, Hantro’s product portfolio includes:-

• A complete range of hardware and software video codec designs that support MPEG-4, H.263, H.264/AVC and VC-1 formats up to SDTV resolutions
• JPEG still-image codecs supporting up to 16MP
• AMR and aacPlus™ audio codecs
• A comprehensive suite of pre- and post-processing technologies
• Streaming protocols
• File format module for .mp4 /.3gp
• Multimedia application development platform, which simplifies handset integration, shortens lead times and reduces development costs
• A full range of integration and support services for OS and device porting

With market tested and proven technology and a continual product development program, Hantro is focused on enabling a more compelling user experience by delivering better quality video with reduced power consumption and CPU load. Extensive participation in the IMTC and M4IF testing programs guarantees compliance with 3GPP standards ensuring the full interoperability of applications such as: Camcorder, Video Player, Video Telephony and Mobile TV. For more information please visit www.hantro.com