Amino, leading IPTV set-top box supplier, today launched its new generation of customer premises equipment. The compact, elegant AmiNET130 supports High Definition, H.264 (MPEG4/AVC) video streams and is modelled on the same award-winning design as previous AmiNET generations.

The AmiNET130 provides the service provider with a cost effective means to deliver end-to-end digital High Definition TV as multicast, on-demand video and multi-room IPTV services. It enables service operators to offer stunning TV quality with minimal capital expenditure. Amino will use its established partnerships with leading technology providers to accelerate the growth and profitability of these evolving IPTV services. The company expects to announce the first customer deployment of the new unit in Q3 2006.

"A number of companies have announced High Definition H.264 products in the past but we have yet to see any evidence of deployment. We are confident that Amino will be the first company with actual commercial roll-out," commented Roy Kirsopp, Vice President and General Manager, Amino Communications. "In the IPTV industry today, interoperability and pre-integration of elements within the set-top box are critical in achieving seamless deployments with minimal time to market."

According to Steve Rago, principal analyst for iSuppli, "As HDTV has taken off in the US and other global regions, a second and third HD-ready TV is frequently bought for most homes. This stresses the "data pipe" into the house, driving Telcos to migrate to H.264 for its higher compression and increased video streams. Amino is addressing this need with their new set-top box."

In anticipation of consumer expectations for H.264 HD services, the AmiNET130 supports Dolby Surround Sound (5.1) and is also compatible with adapters for home networking over the existing infrastructure.

Amino will be showing the latest technology for IPTV customer premises equipment at NAB 2006 in Las Vegas, stand SL2407G, from 24 to 27 April.