TV 2 Selects Cisco to Launch HD Digital TV Across Norway

Cisco Solution Features MPEG-4 AVC Encoding and IP Statistical Multiplexing for HD and SD

OSLO, NORWAY — IBC Amsterdam — Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced today that TV 2 Norway (TV2no) has selected a Cisco® MPEG encoding and Internet Protocol (IP) video system platform for its new high-definition digital terrestrial television (HD-DTT) play-out facility in Bergen, Norway. Cisco’s turn-key, end-to-end solution includes MPEG-4 HD and standard-definition (SD) encoding, Cisco Digital Content Manager (DCM) statistical multiplexing and network management systems. It was designed, installed and commissioned within eight weeks of the contract being awarded in order to meet TV 2 Norway’s HD service launch date.

TV 2 Norway is, with viewing figures of 30 percent, the largest commercial television station in Norway. TV 2 started transmission in 1992 after the Norwegian government established the concession for commercial TV transmission. Today TV 2 also operates TV 2 Nyhetskanalen, TV 2 Zebra, TV 2 Filmkanalen and TV 2 Sport.

TV 2 has chosen the Cisco encoding and management platform for its new HD service because of the system’s superb video quality, versatility and the provision of SD and HD statistical multiplexing.

“Cisco has demonstrated its commitment to TV 2 during previous DTT projects, and we were delighted to award this contract in the knowledge that it would be completed on time and to a very high standard,” said John Inge Brattetveit, head of operations and technical services at TV 2. “The Cisco media, satellite and broadcast team brings a mix of technical knowledge, experience and a ‘can-do’ attitude that demonstrates the true meaning of collaboration.”

The end-to-end solution includes the Cisco SD encoder Model D9034, HD encoder Model D9054, Cisco Digital Content Manager (DCM) Model D9900 with IP statistical multiplexing functionality. In addition, the platform includes the Cisco ROSA® Network Management System, which has been specially developed to allow TV 2 Norway to quickly assign more bandwidth to the HD signal when required to suit operational conditions.