Amino Communications announces availability of the AmiNET124 IPTV set-top box; the company's first set top box design to support the H.264 compression codec (also known as MPEG-4 AVC). Shipments to customers will commence in July.

The AmiNET124 sets a new benchmark in deployment cost for MPEG-4 IPTV systems, thanks to its use of Amino's highly efficient and portable software stack. This enables all of the IPTV support software to run on a single DSP processor. Building on Amino's established partnerships the AmiNET124 is also compatible with leading IPTV middleware and conditional access providers.

"We have brought the same price/performance benefits to H.264 applications that we have already demonstrated with our MPEG-2 products. The AmiNET124, is the first truly cost-effective H.264 set-top box, and will at last enable telcos to make volume deployments of H.264" stated Karthik Ranjan, VP Product Marketing, Amino.

H.264 compression technology utilises up to 40 percent less network bandwidth than the MPEG-2 compression used in most systems to date. Using H.264 on an existing ADSL network, Telcos are typically able to increase their subscriber reach, and are also able to offer two or more video streams per household, where previously only one was possible - creating opportunities for significant increased revenues, and faster return on their IPTV investment.

Mike Arden, senior analyst at ABI Research commented, "IPTV technology is booming and Telcos are keen to take advantage of increased potential revenues offered by advanced compression formats." He continued, "However, they must ensure that the cost of implementing this advanced technology does not become prohibitive."

The AmiNET124, based on Amino's compact, award-winning styling, is easily installed by the subscriber and features a field-upgradeable software platform to support future technology enhancements without significant additional cost to the IPTV service provider.

The AmiNET124 is also compatible with the recently announced ReadyLinks SmartFoot ^TM adapter, which allows multiple set-top boxes to be networked using the existing coaxial cables already present in most homes. This simplifies the home networking infrastructure, significantly reducing installation time and cost.