NDS Launches ‘XTV Ready’ Program to Promote Use of Peripheral Devices with Leading XTV DVR; Samsung Electronics Joins Program as First Partner
LONDON, June 13, 2005 — NDS Group plc (NASDAQ:NNDS)(EURONEXT:NNDS)
Highlights:
— XTV Ready program supports the integration of peripheral devices such as portable media players, digital cameras/camcorders, MP3 players and photo printers
— Samsung Electronics is currently working with NDS to allow interconnectivity of a wide range of devices which will allow seamless connection with a XTV digital video recorder (DVR)
NDS Group plc the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced the formation of the XTV Ready program. Chosen by leading TV operators around the world including BSkyB in the UK, DIRECTV in the US and FOXTEL in Australia, Sky Latin America, Yes and Hot in Israel and ViaSat in Sweden, XTV is the only secure integrated DVR to be deployed across multiple pay-TV platforms.
The majority of XTV deployments utilize set-top boxes (STB) that incorporate one or more USB ports. By enabling the connectivity between CE devices, such as portable media players, digital cameras/camcorders etc, and the XTV DVR, operators can enrich the consumer experience with new ways to view, manage and share content. This presents exciting opportunities for CE manufacturers to reach new markets and develop new applications.
The XTV Ready Program guides members through development and testing of the technological solutions required to connect and integrate their devices with XTV connectivity applications, via the USB port. Becoming XTV Ready is a key step in simplifying the device’s ability to seamlessly connect to XTV DVRs across multiple pay-TV platforms. The manufacturer needs to reach a commercial agreement with the specific pay-TV platform, to complete the integration with a deployed XTV DVR.
Becoming an XTV Ready Program member presents CE device manufacturers with significant opportunities:
— Rapid time to market for XTV Ready implementations
— Brand synergy with pay-TV operators and greater exposure
— Ability to manage the CE product’s lifecycle from consumer registration to targeted advertising and promotions enabled by XTV
Samsung Electronics is the first partner to join the XTV Ready Program and is working towards the introduction of CE devices designed to connect to the XTV DVR platform. The many exciting and innovative applications Samsung is working to implement will enable consumers to combine the features of XTV with their CE devices.
Kuldip S Johal, Business Development Director at Samsung Electronics, commented: “As a world leading CE manufacturer, Samsung is a firm believer in the integrated DVR platform and its ability to serve as a hub for home entertainment. The penetration of DVRs has been truly phenomenal, and we expect that DVRs will eventually displace standard set-top boxes as the predominant device for accessing pay-TV services.”
Gadi Tirosh, NDS Vice President Product Marketing said: “We are honored to have Samsung Electronics, a leading CE manufacturer, join the XTV Ready Program. By making CE devices available to connect to the XTV DVR, consumers can manage, acquire and interact with movies, music, photos more simply and conveniently. He continued: “At NDS we are looking to offer our customers with the best DVR experience possible, supporting its important role in the modern household. With the growing integrated DVR market, we see the XTV Ready Program as an opportunity to develop relationships between our integrated DVR solution and the consumer electronics manufacturers whose products can extend the TV centric living room experience.”
About NDS
NDS Group plc (NASDAQ/ Euronext Brussels:NNDS), a majority owned subsidiary of News Corporation, is a leading supplier of open end-to-end digital pay TV solutions for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to television set-top boxes and IP devices. See http://www.nds.com for more information about NDS.
