Tut Systems, Inc., an industry leader enabling the delivery of next-generation data and video services over broadband networks, announced that Cavalier Telephone of Richmond, VA has launched what it believes to be North America's first commercially-available IPTV service utilizing MPEG-4 AVC compression technology. The service, currently available in the Metro Richmond, Virginia market, is known as Broadband TV and is powered by Tut Systems' Astria content processor.

Broadband TV delivers a full channel line up of more than 150 digital channels including all local network affiliates and major national broadcasts. Through Broadband TV, consumers will enjoy unprecedented levels of interactivity between internet, voice and video, enabling them to access services currently unavailable to them through current TV providers. The service is being launched now after a rigorous evaluation and authorization process from the major content owners.

"Cavalier's focus is on delivering advanced products and services at the most competitive prices in the marketplace," said Brad Evans, CEO of Cavalier Telephone. "We partnered with Tut Systems on our Broadband TV service in order to enable us to go head-to-head with existing cable and satellite firms by showcasing our superior picture quality and network reliability."

"Tut Systems is thrilled to be a part of North America's first MPEG-4 AVC IPTV launch with Cavalier Telephone," said Chairman, CEO and President of Tut Systems, Sal D'Auria. "Cavalier Telephone is an innovative and customer- focused company with a strong vision of the future of telecommunication and we are proud to be a partner for their core business strategy."

The Industry's Leading IPTV Platform for Telcos
More than 160 service providers across five continents deliver IPTV powered by Tut Systems digital headends. The Astria family of video processing platforms, which serves as the core of the company's digital headend solution, processes both analog and digital video streams from multiple satellite and local sources in a variety of formats. The Astria CP supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC video compression, local ad insertion, forward error correction and provides real-time conditioning for distribution of video and audio over any ATM, IP, or RF broadband network. The Astria VSP provides the highest density, carrier class, single chassis product for the delivery of IP video over RF broadband access networks, including coax and FTTP (Fiber to the Premises).