Micronas, a supplier of innovative application-specific IC system solutions for consumer electronics, announces a set of development kits for hybrid IPTV and DVB set-top boxes.

The fully-featured reference designs allow OEM set-top box manufacturers to create solutions that bring together the advantages of both broadcast and IP television (IPTV) technology into a single unit.

The technology solution will be demonstrated at a Micronas sponsored event to be held during the IFA Trade Fair at The Hotel Adlon in Berlin from September 1 – 4, 2006 and at the IBC Trade Fair in Amsterdam from September 8 – 12, 2006.

Micronas has created two versions of the reference design, including an IPTV and DVB-T design for the European network of terrestrial antennas and an IPTV and DVB-S2 version for worldwide satellite broadcast systems. These reference designs allow OEMs to efficiently create highly-integrated hybrid products that are poised to support customers as they begin to use IPTV, while still providing access to the traditional television functionality and services that they already know and use. The scalability offered by the designs ensures that systems are ready for the emerging demands of digital television.

The designs offer a standards-compliant platform with fully developed middleware and a user interface allowing manufacturers to create a solution to market efficiently. This offering also supports solution providers in their efforts to bring simple and affordable solutions to end users. The hybrid platform allows OEMs, service providers, and end customers alike to enjoy the advantages of a cost-effective, integrated solution that handles multiple format content.

“IPTV is quickly becoming a reality. As a company, Micronas has been leading innovation in the television industry for over two decades, and in recent years has added expertise in the networked video world,” said Keri Waters, director, strategic marketing at Micronas USA. “Today’s announcement combines both levels of expertise into a hybrid offering that blends together IPTV and traditional television into a single, comprehensive offering.”