Minerva and Advanced Digital Broadcast announce the certification and immediate availability of Minerva's iTVManager IPTV services management platform and ADB's new ADB-3800W high definition IPTV set-top box. This solution will enable telcos to deliver television services to their subscribers using standard definition, HD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats.

"Without HD services, IPTV operators have been at a disadvantage relative to their cable and satellite competition. This integrated solution levels the playing field," stated Jean-Georges Fritsch, COO of Minerva Networks. "ADB has been a terrific partner in this process and our customers will be pleased with the results. Minerva is proud to have ADB as a fully certified HD/H.264 STB partner."

ADB has already won two international industry awards for its HD/Advanced Video Coding IPTV technology and is the leader in hybrid IPTV STB deployments in Europe. This initiative marks its entry into the North American IPTV market.

Minerva's iTVManager is the most complete, open and advanced IPTV software platform for the delivery of compelling video services over broadband networks, including broadcast video, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital video recording, and converged applications.

The ADB-3800W is an advanced, digital set-top box incorporating SD and HD television reception and is based on MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC. The unit enables operators to maximize their broadcast bandwidth, while presenting consumers with a high quality, feature-rich television experience. ADB's unique driver and operating software, coupled with an optimal memory configuration and state-of-the-art microprocessor, result in enhanced system performance, including fast channel decoding and swift rendering of applications such as the Electronic Program Guide.

ADB-3800W set-top boxes are immediately available for commercial deployment through ADB's distributor Border States Electric (www.borderstateselectric.com) in Fargo, ND.