FOCUS Enhancements, Inc., a worldwide leader in video production, Ultra Wideband wireless and video conversion technology, today announced its FS453, FS454, FS455 and FS456 video convergence processors will appear in multiple set-top boxes (STBs) and media players that will be demonstrated and displayed in several manufacturers' booths at the International CES 2006 in Las Vegas from January 5th through January 8th.

The company's presence is especially prominent in media-over-the-Internet set-top boxes known as IPTV STBs. IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal sent through a cable network by way of a broadband connection and a set-top box programmed with software that can handle viewer requests to access multiple media sources. The viewer's TV connects to a set-top box that decodes the IP video and converts it into standard television signals. The STB is the gateway to an IP video switching system. The Switched Video Service (SVS) system allows viewers to access broadcast network channels, subscription services, and movies on demand.

"Telecommunications carriers have started to look for ways to grow their business beyond traditional core voice and data services", said Mike Kelly, vice president of marketing at FOCUS Enhancements' semiconductor group. "With improved bandwidth and video compression techniques, carriers are able to deliver live TV signals to either a television set or a PC through a broadband network, completing the Triple Play of voice, video, and data offerings."

According to Mark Zadeh, vice president of sales at FOCUS Enhancements' semiconductor group, "IPTV has seen rapid evolution and acceptance in Asian and European markets and is poised for tremendous growth in the US. With more and more people switching to broadband Internet connections and interactivity being a key feature in demand, interactive television represents a natural extension of these capabilities, and we believe our video conversion processors provide what developers want and fit very well into the growing IPTV STB market."

The increasing deployments of TV services by Telco operators are boosting the IP/DSL STB market. As a result, industry experts are projecting shipments of IP/DSL STBs to grow from 1.7 million units in 2004 to 16.9 million units in 2009. At that point, this market is projected to surpass the projected 2009 digital cable STB market in size.

FOCUS Enhancements' video convergence chips are already part of prominent IPTV STB box manufacturers in Asia, including TISNet/Tatung Corp, Biostar Microtech, Sage InfoTech, and others, and the list continues to grow.

For a decade, FOCUS Enhancements has been producing technology that enables convergence of video graphics originating in digital video appliances into stunning graphics. Applications range from self contained studio quality scan converters to much more compact PC to TV chips for consumer electronics and portable electronics devices, including: PCs, gaming consoles, Portable Media Players, PVR/DVRs, IP-STBs, DVD recorders, automotive entertainment systems, as well as scan converters for industrial applications.