Espial, a leading provider of set-top box software and IPTV applications, and Pace Micro Technology, the world's largest developer of digital set-top box technology, announced an agreement to embed the Espial Evo(TM) TV middleware and applications in the new Pace IP215 set-top box (STB). Espial Evo, through its innovative architecture, provides an unparalleled consumer experience by eliminating performance penalties associated with browsers such as progressive page loading and blanking. Espial Evo, building on its unique client middleware framework, includes applications such as Electronic Program Guide, Video on Demand, Walled Garden Portal, Settings and Browser.

Announced today, the Pace IP215 is the industry's first hardware H.264 IP set-top box. Together with the inclusion of the Evo modular application framework, this new set-top box will offer Pace customers an entry-level, robust, turnkey client solution.

Operators that select the Pace IP215 with Espial Evo will enjoy a degree of brand-ability and customization that they never had in the past. Espial Evo provides a 'beyond brandable' experience, where the entire application, workflow and graphics can be customized and personalized using traditional web design tools. Add to this the Espial Evo animation engine, and the consumer UI experience extends way beyond traditional TV UI boundaries.

Leveraging the Espial Evo application framework, operators now have a client environment that can extend and grow with new applications and services. Espial Evo's unique architecture that separates the core application logic from the user interface design means operators can leverage the Evo Framework and focus on delivering differentiated, revenue-generating services.