Sentivision announced the availability of the SV-300 IP Set-Top Box, a single-chip low cost device which features IP-TV and Video On Demand (VOD) functionality in a small form factor design. The SV-300 supports the H.264 AVC compression standard for broadcast IP television delivery. Shipments to customers will commence in 2Q 2006.

Built on DaVinci technology from Texas Instruments, the SV-300 delivers superb video and audio quality by utilizing the H.264 AVC compression standard for video stream decoding.

"TI's DaVinci technology allows Sentivision to provide a high-performance, ultra low cost device within an energy-efficient small form factor design," said Marek Kielczewski, COO for Sentivision. "The new SV-300 IP-STB offers over 50 percent cost savings for our customers compared to previous generation IP-STB's. TI's TMS320DM6443 single-chip SOC based on TI's DaVinci technology enables us to deliver future proof end-to-end IP-TV solutions to telcos and service providers while at the same time greatly improving on time to market and cutting product development costs."

"Since TI's DaVinci technology is tailored for digital video applications, manufacturers like Sentivision can develop unique, customized products in less time and at lower system costs," said Suman Narayan, Streaming Media WW Business Development Manager, TI.

"Because of the flexibility of the DaVinci technology, the SV-300 is capable of decoding multi- format video and currently supports H.264 Main Profile, VC1, MPEG2 and MPEG4 SP/ASP. We are excited to see that our technology helped Sentivision achieve such a highly integrated and compelling low cost IP set-top box."

The SV-300 enables a broad range of interactive TV and triple-play applications including:

• Internet TV (IP-TV) delivery of high quality content
• Video On Demand (VOD) and PPV with pause and multiple speed trick play
• Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with record capabilities
• Multiple video codec support: H.264 AVC, MPEG-2, Windows Media
• HTML Web Browser
• Remote Firmware Upgrade and more.

The SV-300 IP-STB is the first in a series of triple-play and IP-TV capable devices from Sentivision with new products that include various functionality and feature options expected later in the year. The SV-300 will complement other IP-TV and VOD offerings from Sentivision, which include set-top boxes, content delivery and other streaming audio/video solutions.

The SV-300 will be demonstrated by Sentivision at IPTV World Forum in London, UK from 6-8 March. Booth no 56.