Avinity Systems announces support for the H.264 codec to be available for its RenderCastT platform in the second quarter of 2008. The platform offers a novel and disruptive approach to bring on-demand Internet content to digital TV over any network to any existing two-way Set-Top Box.

The RenderCastT platform is already used by several leading cable and IPTV operators and content providers to bring on-line content, rich media navigation and interactive commercials to digital TV platforms based on the MPEG-2 codec. The H.264 codec provides even richer cinematic user interfaces, much lower bitrates, and efficient support for High Definition.

"The H.264 codec opens up a lot of new, exciting business opportunities" says Ronald Brockmann, CEO of Avinity. "Most IPTV and High-Definition cable set-top boxes now support H.264, particularly in France. The RenderCastT H.264 module will further reduce operational costs while bringing a whole new level of user experience to digital TV platforms."