FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Thomson Integrates Widevine Virtual Smart Cards in IP900 Series Platform Set-Top Boxes
Paris and Seattle, WA, May 24, 2005 –Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), partner to the media & entertainment industries today announced the integration of the Technologies into its IP900 Series from Widevine Cypher Virtual SmartCard Platform set-top boxes. The Virtual SmartCard offers operators another IP set-top box solution to deliver downloadable software-based content security. With the integration of the Virtual SmartCard, operators who deploy the Thomson IP900 series are assured of risk-free delivery of secured content to their end users.
The Thomson IP900 series is a low-cost, ultra-compact set-top box that delivers home entertainment and broadband services over IP networks. The IP900 series fully supports interactive applications including broadcast video, video on demand, gaming, and messaging. Widevine is the most widely deployed provider of comprehensive conditional access and digital rights management solutions to the video over IP market worldwide.
“Security and costs are of key concerns to operators and the Widevine Virtual SmartCard enables us to provide a seamless security solution as part of our IP set-top package,” commented Bruce Tenerowicz, General Manager, Thomson Broadband Video Solutions R&D. While the IP900 series platform is the first Thomson set-top box to be provisioned with this solution, we plan to offer the solution in our complete line including our next generation products currently in development,” he added.
Cypher 3.0 also supports standard-definition and high-definition content, including all the major media formats including MPEG-2, H.264 and VC-1. On the client side, it continues to take advantage of Widevine’s patented downloadable and renewable Cypher Virtual SmartCard clients to protect set-top boxes, PVRs, PCs and mobile devices.
“We applaud Thomson for taking this important step to provide operators with a secure content delivery package,” said Matt Cannard, Director of Marketing, Widevine. “The IP900 is now a Widevine Secured solution operators can choose from when looking to offer enhanced digital video services such as VOD.”
Some of the statements contained in this press release, including statements by the management in relation to future expectations, represent “forward-looking statements” in the sense of the “Safe Harbor Statement” by the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These types of forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions on the part of the management and are subject to a range of factors and uncertainties which may lead to a considerable deviation of the results actually achieved from the expectations outlined either explicitly or implicitly in the forward-looking statements. This may be due to changes in global economic conditions, industry developments, a shift in the competitive situation or the passing of new legislation. More detailed information on the factors which may influence Thomson’s financial results can be found in the documentation submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Thomson
Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries, Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, systems and services to help its media and entertainment clients – content creators, content distributors and users of its technology – realise their business goals and optimise their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The group intends to become the preferred partner to the media and entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information see www.thomson.net.
Thomson’s Access Platforms and Gateways (AP&G) activity, part of the company’s systems and equipment division, is a leading supplier of digital entertainment receivers to the world’s major satellite and terrestrial broadcasters, and digital set-top boxes and high speed modems to cable operators. It is also one of the leading suppliers of high-speed modems, IP set top boxes, IP system integration services and telephones to telecom operators and ISPs around the globe. Products are marketed under the RCA, THOMSON and SpeedTouch brands. You can find more information on AP&G’s products and solutions at www.thomson-broadband.com.
About Widevine Technologies, Inc.
Widevine is the most widely deployed provider of content security solutions to the video over IP market worldwide. Widevine enables telco, cable and satellite operators to generate new revenue opportunities through the secure distribution of their IP content. Widevine Cypher® is a comprehensive conditional access (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solution. Utilizing a combination of hardware and software-based encryption, Cypher persistently encrypts both digital broadcast and VOD content, regardless of video infrastructure, network protocols or compression technologies. An innovator in the industry, Widevine invented the downloadable virtual smart card which today protects more IP set top boxes in the industry than any other vendor. Widevine Virtual SmartCards quickly and affordably enable operators to combat piracy on STBs, PVRs and other devices within the home. Widevine Secured operators are guaranteed to encrypt studio and broadcaster content, across any video distribution network and on any Widevine Secured device in the home.
Widevine is a private held corporation headquartered in Seattle, WA and funded by Charter Ventures, Constellation Ventures, PaceSetter Capital Group, Phoenix Capital Partners, and VantagePoint Venture Partners.
For more information see Widevine Technologies at www.widevine.com.
Media Contact:
Eric Moser
Ruder Finn Chicago (for Widevine Technologies)
Tel: +1 312 329 3908
mosere@ruderfinn.com
Pam Golden Loder
Thomson
Tel: 908-889-8300 x122
pgloder@goldenloder.com
Brenda Clery
Thomson
Tel: +33 41 86 54 81
brenda.clery@thomson.net
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