To Find The Coolest Set-Top Box Technology, Look Behind The TV with Sony and ADB

GENEVA, Switzerland — Advanced Digital Broadcast (SWX:ADBN), a leading supplier of technology to the global digital television industry, is displaying at the Consumer Electronics Show 2009 in Las Vegas, its advanced tru2way™ certified ADB-4820C developed in partnership with Sony Corporation (Tokyo:6758; NYSE: SNE). The product is the first set-back box that mounts behind flat TVs and requires no dedicated remote control.

“We have been working with Sony for some time now, and both companies are finally demonstrating this set-back box (SBB) at CES”, said François Pogodalla, CEO of ADB S.A. “This box benefits from a unique mix of Sony’s excellence in audio/video consumer products and ADB’s technology prowess.”

Unlike standard set-top boxes which sit on top or below the TV set, the ADB-4820C resides on the back of the Sony flat screen LCD TV and remains invisible to the consumer, while still having all the capabilities necessary to provide an enhanced entertainment experience. Pogodalla went on to say, “We take pride in making advanced technology so usable that the consumer forgets about it and focuses on his viewing experience. This is what this product is about!”

The ADB-4820C is presently the only tru2way™ certified SBB. The SBB is controlled through HDMI-CEC using the remote control provided with the TV, enabling the user to enjoy a clean and seamless functionality.

This unique and fully interactive SBB is optimized for the next generation cable networks incorporating tru2way™ technology. The unit features a high-speed DOCSIS® return channel to support high-bandwidth two-way communications for Video on Demand (VoD), secure application download, and delivery of current and future generation advanced applications and services. The ADB-4820C supports HD and SD reception for MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (H.264) and SMPTE-421M (WM9-AP). This distinctive product has been specifically designed to operate with new flat panel television sets and has an innovative space saving design. The ADB-4820C is one of the first SBB solutions to receive full tru2way™ certification.

ADB has begun shipping sample quantities to Sony. The full commercialization is yet to come.