ADB launches Tivù Sat i-CAN MHP box for Italy

GENEVA, Switzerland — Advanced Digital Broadcast (SIX:ADBN), a leading supplier of technology to the global digital television industry, announced today the launch of an interactive digital satellite set-top box, the i-CAN1110SH designed for the Italian TivùSat offering. The product, marketed under the i-CAN™ brand, will be distributed in retail outlets throughout the country via ADB’s distribution partner ZAP. This will be ADB’s first satellite product deployed in Italy.

Tivù Sat is a free-to-air satellite service, and is jointly owned by the Italian broadcasters RAI, Mediaset and Telecom Italia Media. The objective of the joint venture is to reflect or the current digital terrestrial free channel offering over satellite (Hot Bird 13° East). Hence, households unable to receive DTT signals will obtain the same channels via satellite. The Tivù Sat service, which launched on July 31st last, has its own dedicated Tivù Sat digital set-top box which can be purchased in retail outlets. The service is also offering added-value services such as Electronic Programme Guide and MHP interactivity.

“This is a very exciting time for us at Tivù Sat and we are happy that ADB is part of this adventure”, comments Alberto Sigismondi CEO at Tivù Sat. “The i-CAN brand is well known and trusted by Italian consumers, and therefore we are sure that this new satellite solution will be welcomed by the market. ADB’s product will be amongst the first products on the shelves and comes with the Tivù Sat smart card so that viewers can receive content straight away”.

The i-CAN1110SH is an interactive digital satellite set-top box and is delivered with two smart card slots. The product, with its attractive cosmetic design, offers high quality images. It supports interactive applications via its embedded MHP middleware and provides a parental control application together with HDMI™ connectivity among other features which will give consumers a comfortable and personal television experience. The installation is automatic, and the menus are easy to use and intuitive to ensure that consumers start enjoying their new Digital TV service immediately. The i-CAN1110SH also provides Tivù Sat’s official, fully-fledged 7 day Electronic Program Guide. This provides the essential and up-to-date channel and programme information consumers need to fully enjoy the digital TV service.

The product delivers all of the above features with minimum energy consumption, a significant benefit both to the environment and the consumer’s electricity spending. Not only is it certified compliant with the European Code of Conduct version 7, but ADB raises the bar further by making its product more efficient than the standards expected by 2013. The i-CAN1110SH provides sub-1W automatic passive stand-by mode, and sub-6W active stand-by. Under usage modes specified by the Code of Conduct, the i-CAN 1110SH is capable of providing its owner savings of around 18kWh per year.

“Tivù Sat is really a great initiative to ensure that all Italian citizens can benefit from receiving the free-to-air digital TV offering whether from terrestrial or satellite signals,” comments Jim Lomax, Executive VP Worldwide Sales. “ADB has been at the forefront of the Italian DTT market since it launched at the end of 2003. Over the years we have continued to show our commitment to this market, and are very happy to be able to now offer a new platform for this new digital satellite service”.