ANT plc, a leading provider of embedded browser, content control and user interface software for IPTV and consumer electronics, announced today that Askey Computer Corporation and Alpha Networks, both of Taiwan, have licensed ANT's Fresco ® browser and PurePlay ^TM digital media manager technology for integration into IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) targeted to operators in the United States, Europe, China, Japan and Taiwan.

STB manufacturer, Askey, will integrate ANT's Fresco browser into an IPTV STB reference design to provide a customised user interface and access to operator-provided content. Askey will also incorporate ANT's PurePlay digital media manager to deliver a STB design with media manager capabilities. PurePlay provides photo viewing, MP3 audio and video clip playing, slideshow and media management facilities in consumer appliances such as TVs, STBs and DVD players.

Alpha Networks, an emerging leader in the global networking and consumer electronics OEM/ODM industry, will utilize ANT's Fresco for the user interface on its new line of IPTV STBs. Combined with ANT's Fresco professional-graded UI and the ability to deliver high quality MPEG-4 SP/ASP, WMV9, SMPTE VC-1 or H.264 (AVC) video, Alpha's IPTV STBs are designed with flexibility to meet the requirements of increasingly demanding customers.

"Working with ANT allows us to present operators with the opportunity to take advantage of the growth in IPTV and deliver dynamic new content to their subscribers," said Eric Lui, research and development vice president, Askey Computer Corporation. "We challenged ANT with requests for higher-end capabilities that deliver more from today's hardware. They quickly integrated a quality, cost-effective solution that will enable our customers to lead the market with high-value digital TV services and interactive content."